Insulin

After eating the food is broken down into glucose, the simple sugar that is the main source of energy for the body's cells. But your cells cannot use glucose without insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps the cells take in glucose and convert it to energy. If pancreas are not able to produce enough insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin that is present, the cells cannot use glucose. Excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes.

Insulin is composed of two peptide chains referred to as the A chain and B chain. A and B chains are linked together by two disulfide bonds, and an additional disulfide is formed within the A chain. In most species, the A chain consists of 21 amino acids and the B chain of 30 amino acids. Being obese or overweight affects the way insulin works in your body. Extra fat tissue can make your body resistant to the action of insulin, but exercise helps insulin work well.

Persons who have insulin resistance, their muscles, body cells and fats do not use insulin properly. Pancreas provide more insulin but theose can not keep up with body demand. Result is that excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, many people with insulin resistance have high levels of blood glucose and high levels of insulin circulating in their blood at the same time. People with blood glucose levels higher but not in the diabetic range have pre-diabetes. If you have pre-diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes or noninsulin-dependent diabetes. People with pre-diabetes also have a higher risk of heart disease.Type 2 diabetes is sometimes defined as the form of diabetes that develops when the body does not respond properly to insulin,not same as to type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas makes no insulin at all.

Insulin resistance tends to run in families, genes are partly responsible. Excess weight also contributes to insulin resistance. Lack of exercise further reduces muscles' ability to use insulin. Insulin resistance plays a role in the development of cardiovascular disease, which damages the heart and blood vessels.