Is insulin an enzyme or hormone?

Insulin is not an enzyme. It is a hormone. While enzymes help speed up chemical reactions, hormones work like messengers. Insulin is the main anabolic hormone in the body. It helps store nutrients and controls how your body uses glucose (sugar).

After you eat, your blood sugar rises. This triggers the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin helps muscle, liver, and fat cells absorb glucose. The absorbed glucose is stored as glycogen or converted into fat for later use. When there’s not enough insulin, the body starts using stored fat, which can produce harmful keto acids and cause a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

Insulin also helps regulate protein synthesis and the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. When insulin levels are low, the body breaks down fat and muscle for energy. When they are high, it stores fuel.

Insulin levels can be tested through fasting, post-meal, or random blood sugar tests. Low insulin levels (hypoinsulinemia) can cause insulin-deficient diabetes, while high insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) may lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and other problems.

Insulin is a life-saving drug for many people. It’s included in the WHO’s list of essential medicines. To stay healthy, it’s important to manage insulin levels with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management. Keeping insulin in balance helps prevent insulin resistance, the root cause of many lifestyle-related diseases.

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