Which Hormone Regulates Blood Sugar Levels?

May 19, 2025

Ever wonder how your body avoids constant energy crashes or sugar spikes? It all comes down to a finely tuned hormonal system that regulates your blood sugar levels 24/7. The key players in this process are insulin & glucagon, two hormones produced by the pancreas that work together to keep your blood glucose balanced.

Maintaining stable blood sugar is critical—imbalances can lead to fatigue, mood swings, and long-term health risks like diabetes.

In this article, we’ll break down exactly how insulin and glucagon function, what happens when things go wrong, and how you can support your body’s natural glucose control.

What is blood sugar regulation?

The mechanism by which the body keeps the amount of glucose in the bloodstream constant is known as blood sugar management. The body's cells use glucose as their main energy source, but too much or too little of it can have negative health effects. To maintain healthy blood sugar levels, the body uses a variety of hormones.

When blood sugar levels rise after eating, insulin is secreted to aid in glucose absorption by cells. On the other hand, glucagon is released to help the liver release stored glucose into the bloodstream when blood sugar levels fall too low. Together, insulin and glucagon keep blood sugar levels balanced.

Let’s get into the hormones involved.

Identifying the primary blood sugar regulator

While several hormones play a role in glucose metabolism, one stands out as the primary regulator of blood sugar levels: insulin.

This powerful hormone, produced by the beta cells in your pancreas, acts as the key that unlocks your body's cells, allowing glucose from the bloodstream to enter & be used for energy.

Without sufficient or effective insulin, glucose accumulates in the blood, leading to hyperglycemia, which can have detrimental effects on health over time.

Read: High-Fiber Foods Chart and Diet Plan For Constipation

Insulin is the primary hormone responsible for keeping blood sugar levels balanced. Let’s examine how insulin manages glucose levels.

Insulin's crucial role – How it lowers blood sugar levels

When you eat a carbohydrate-rich meal, the carbs are broken down into glucose, which gets into your bloodstream & raises your blood sugar levels.

This increase signals your pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin then acts in several key ways to lower blood sugar levels and maintain equilibrium within your body:

Facilitating glucose uptake: Insulin helps your cells absorb glucose by attaching to receptors on their surface and telling them to open channels that let glucose enter your cells from the blood.

After that, this glucose can either be used immediately for energy or stored in the muscles and liver as glycogen for later use.

Promoting glycogenesis: Insulin encourages the liver to turn extra glucose into glycogen, which is a type of glucose that can be stored. Glycogenesis is the process by which glucose is taken out of the bloodstream and stored for use as fuel in the future.

Inhibiting gluconeogenesis: Insulin also inhibits the liver's ability to produce new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources like glycerol and amino acids. If not appropriately controlled, this process, known as gluconeogenesis, can cause blood sugar levels to rise.
Enhancing fat storage: When glucose levels are high and glycogen stores are full, insulin promotes the conversion of excess glucose into triglycerides, which are stored as fat in adipose tissue. This is another way insulin helps to remove glucose from the bloodstream.

Through these multifaceted actions, insulin effectively lowers blood sugar levels after a meal, preventing hyperglycemia and ensuring your body has a readily available energy source.

While insulin lowers blood sugar, glucagon performs the opposite role.

Understanding the role of glucagon

Your pancreatic alpha cells create the vital hormone glucagon, which functions as insulin's counter-regulatory companion while lowering blood sugar levels.

Glucagon helps bring your blood sugar levels back to a healthy range when they go too low, as happens during extended fasting or in between meals.

This delicate dance between insulin and glucagon ensures that your body maintains a stable and consistent supply of energy.

Glucagon's actions – How it elevates blood sugar levels

When blood glucose levels fall, the pancreas releases glucagon into the bloodstream. The liver is therefore the primary target of glucagon, which starts the mechanisms that return stored glucose to the bloodstream:

Stimulating glycogenolysis: Glucagon tells the liver to break down stored glycogen & release glucose into the circulation. Glycogenolysis is the process that produces glucose quickly, which raises blood sugar levels.
Promoting gluconeogenesis: Glucagon also stimulates the liver to produce new glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, further contributing to an increase in blood sugar levels.

Through these actions, glucagon effectively prevents hypoglycemia, ensuring that your brain and other vital organs have a continuous supply of glucose, even when you haven't eaten recently.

If you're having trouble balancing your fibre intake, consider adding The Good Bug’s probiotics and prebiotics to your routine for a beneficial boost.

It’s time to understand how they work together.

How insulin and glucagon work together

Blood sugar regulation is a dynamic and continuous process orchestrated by the opposing actions of insulin and glucagon. These two hormones act like finely tuned thermostats, constantly monitoring blood glucose levels and adjusting their secretion to maintain a narrow and healthy range.

After you eat, insulin rises to lower blood sugar; between meals, glucagon rises to prevent it from dropping too low.

This intricate feedback loop ensures that your body has the energy it needs while preventing the damaging effects of both high and low blood sugar levels.

Factors such as the type and amount of food you eat, your activity levels, and other hormonal influences can affect this delicate balance.

Do you occasionally experience bloating, acidity, or inconsistent bowel movements? If toxic waste has accumulated in your digestive system, you may require a detox. See a noticeable change by taking The Good Bug's 14-day Gut Cleanse Detox Shots. Here's how one of our customers, who enjoys traveling and trying various meals, used our solution to get relief from digestive problems.

Let’s take a closer look at these supporting hormones and how they contribute to glucose metabolism.

Other hormones influence blood sugar.

While insulin and glucagon are the primary regulators of blood sugar, several other hormones also play a role in glucose metabolism, often acting to raise blood glucose levels in response to stress, fasting, or exercise. These include:

Epinephrine (Adrenaline): Released by the adrenal glands in response to stress or low blood sugar, epinephrine stimulates the liver to produce glucose and inhibits insulin secretion.
Cortisol: Another hormone from the adrenal glands, cortisol, is released during prolonged stress or fasting. It promotes gluconeogenesis in the liver and can also decrease insulin sensitivity.
Growth hormone: Secreted by the pituitary gland, growth hormone can increase insulin resistance and promote glucose production in the liver.
Thyroid hormones (T3 and T4): These hormones, produced by the thyroid gland, influence the rate of glucose absorption in the intestines and can affect insulin sensitivity.
Incretins (GLP-1 and GIP): These hormones are released by the gut in response to food intake and have several effects on glucose regulation, including stimulating insulin release and inhibiting glucagon secretion.

These hormones generally support blood glucose homeostasis, often acting in specific situations to ensure the body has enough energy.

Let’s explore how the bacteria in your gut influence your body’s response to insulin and glucose.

How your microbiome impacts blood sugar control

Emerging research highlights the major role of the gut microbiome. This complex community, consisting of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms, resides in your digestive tract. Scientists are discovering its impact on various aspects of health, including blood sugar regulation.

Your gut microbiome's makeup and activity can affect how your body uses insulin and breaks down glucose.

A balanced and diverse gut microbiome, often supported by probiotic-rich foods or supplements like those offered by The Good Bug, can contribute to improved insulin sensitivity and better blood sugar control.

Certain gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that have been shown to benefit glucose metabolism.

Furthermore, a healthy gut barrier can help prevent "leaky gut," a condition that can contribute to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance.

Nurturing a healthy gut microbiome through diet and targeted interventions may be a valuable strategy for supporting healthy blood sugar levels.

To keep your gut health in top shape, trying out The Good Bug's Gut Balance can make a big difference.

Let’s now examine what happens when these imbalances occur and how they can lead to conditions like diabetes.

Understanding blood sugar imbalances

When the delicate balance of hormones regulating blood sugar is disrupted, it can lead to various health issues, most notably diabetes. There are two main types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes: This autoimmune condition occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks & destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin.

Hyperglycemia results from the body producing little to no insulin. Insulin injections or an insulin pump are necessary for the survival of people with type 1 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes: This more common type of diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin's effects or when the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance.

This may eventually result in blood sugar levels that are consistently elevated. Lifestyle factors, including heredity, weight, and physical inactivity, largely cause type 2 diabetes.

If blood sugar levels are not well controlled, both forms of diabetes can result in major long-term problems like kidney disease, nerve damage, eye damage, and heart disease.

Probiotics benefit patients with type 2 diabetes in terms of their general health. The Good Bug's probiotics support a balanced gut microbiota, which can improve glucose control and general health.

You can take proactive steps to maintain balance.

Strategies for healthy blood sugar levels

Maintaining the appropriate operation of the hormones that control blood sugar and avoiding imbalances requires adopting healthy lifestyle practices. You can use the following important techniques in your everyday routine:

Balanced diet: Focus on taking a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates, which can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar.
Regular exercise: Engage in daily physical activity, including both cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, helps your muscles use glucose for energy, & can contribute to weight management.
Maintain a healthy weight: Obesity is a main risk factor for type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise can significantly improve blood sugar control.
Manage stress: Prolonged stress can raise blood sugar levels by producing hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Engage in stress-reduction practices like yoga, meditation, or mindfulness.
Prioritize sleep: Adequate and quality sleep is important for overall hormonal balance, including the hormones that regulate blood sugar. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Keep yourself hydrated: Drinking enough water is important for overall metabolic function & can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Support gut health: Incorporate prebiotic and probiotic-rich foods into your diet to promote a healthy gut microbiome. Consider checking out with a healthcare professional about the potential benefits of targeted probiotic supplements like those offered by The Good Bug.
Regular monitoring: If you have diabetes or are in danger, regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels, as recommended by your doctor, is crucial for effective management.

Insulin is the key hormone responsible for regulating blood glucose levels. It facilitates glucose uptake, promotes storage, and inhibits glucose production to maintain energy balance and prevent hyperglycemia. Glucagon, its counterpart, helps prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too low.

Understanding this balance, along with the role of other hormones and the gut microbiome, highlights the complexity of metabolic processes.

By adopting proper lifestyle habits, you can support these hormones’ function and improve overall health.

Do you want a more convenient and efficient way to restore your digestive system? The Good Bug offers a wide range of probiotics and prebiotics to meet your different health requirements. To select the ideal gut-friendly product for you, visit our website and schedule a free consultation with one of our specialists!