How the Brain Maintains Homeostatic Sugar Levels
Did you know your brain regulates your blood sugar level?
Do you know that your brain can dictate to your body to reduce your sugar concentration? Without the brain, specifically the hypothalamus, you will not be feeling anything. That is exactly what happens when you lose consciousness, the brain is “dead,” and so you feel nothing. It is when the brain responds to stimuli that the body reacts.
What is homeostasis?
Homeostasis is the process by which the body maintains internal balance by responding to stimuli generated by the different endocrine glands.
The hypothalamus in the brain is where the inhibitory and releasing hormones are secreted. It is the center of the central nervous system (CNS) and thus is responsible for responding to the different body stimuli.
How does the brain maintain homeostatic sugar levels?
The brain, through hypothalamus, secretes several releasing and inhibitory hormones, which controls the release and inhibition of hormones in the different organs. Growth Hormone Inhibitory Hormone or GHIH is responsible in controlling the secretion of growth hormone. Gonadotropin Hormone Releasing Hormone or GnRH is responsible in controlling the release and inhibition of gonadal hormones, while Cortisol Releasing Factor controls the release of cortisol.
The body should maintain the homeostatic levels of sugar or glucose levels for the body to function well. Glucose is the most predominant blood sugar. When the sugar levels are not within this normal level, which is about 50-110 mg/dL, then this stimulus would be sent to the hypothalamus. Persistent hyperglycemia can lead to diabetes mellitus, which is a debilitating condition.
The action of the hypothalamus
When the blood glucose levels are elevated, like in hyperglycemia, the hypothalamus receives this stimulus, and then acts on the negative feedback mechanism by stimulating the pancreatic glands to secrete the hormone insulin. Insulin is responsible in reducing the concentrations of glucose in the bloodstream. It is secreted by the beta cells of the Islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
When the insulin secretion is increased, consequently, the glucose concentration will decrease because insulin will enhance the re-absorption of glucose inside cells. It will also help in the utilization of glucose as energy thereby reducing its concentration in the blood stream.
When the glucose levels are back to normal, this stimulus would be sent again to the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus recognizes it and then decreases the secretion of insulin in the pancreas. This will bring back the blood glucose or sugar levels to normal, thereby maintaining homeostasis.
The neurons or brain cells perform a variety of complex and simple functions. What is amazing to know is that it controls the entire body in performing it physiologic functions. When all your organs are functioning normally, then rest assured your brain would automatically maintain your normal blood glucose levels through the homeostatic process.
Without the brain, there will be no feelings and sensations at all, so when you say I love you to your partner, you should be saying, “I love you with all my hypothalamus,” and not “with all my heart.” Because the heart cannot feel without the brain.
Photo by Lin Pernille Photography
