To be optimally healthy, our blood
glucose levels must be kept within a normal
range—not too low, not too high. Remember,
just as in the thermostat analogy, “normal” is
pretty much synonymous with “healthy.” In
the case of regulating blood sugar, your
pancreas is the primary thermostat, and
insulin is like your air conditioner, keeping
blood sugar levels from remaining too high.
A rise in blood sugar is sensed by beta
cells in the pancreas, which then secrete
insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin signals
cells in the body to pull glucose out of the
bloodstream and move it into storage,
bringing blood sugar levels back to a normal,
healthy range. Elevated insulin levels also
have a satiety function, reducing hunger.
INSULIN SENSITIVITY
The scenario we just described is
called insulin sensitivity. If you