Multiple hormones are involved in regulating your glucose levels. Maintaining your glucose levels within a healthy range is important for your survival. Foods and your diet aren't the only means of influencing your glucose levels.
Insulin
Insulin is a protein produced by the pancreas in response to foods that you eat. Insulin lowers glucose levels by shuttling blood sugar to your muscles and liver for immediate use and storage. Your fat cells respond to insulin as well, by causing your fat cells to take in excess calories from fat, carbohydrates and protein to become potential energy.
Glucagon
Glucagon is a hormone released by the pancreas to raise glucose levels when your blood levels fall too low. Glucagon acts in the opposite manner of insulin. According to William Garrett and Donald Kirkendall in "Exercise and Sports Science," your body only needs to produce a small amount of glucagon to receive a large response in blood glucose levels. Your body will take fats, proteins and glycogen, which is the muscle storage form of glucose, to produce glucose and thereby raise your blood levels of glucose.
Glucococorticoids
Glucococorticoids are steroid-based hormones that help regulate glucose levels, especially in relationship to stress. Cortisol is the best known glucococorticoid, but cortisone, corticosterone, deoxycorticosterone are glucococorticoids that regulate glucose levels as well. According to Garrett and Kirkendall, these hormones raise glucose levels by breaking down proteins to supply the liver with amino acids to make glucose.
Caffeine
Many individuals consume coffee or other caffeinated beverages as an energy booster to start their day. Supplement companies are using caffeine to boost workout performance in supplement users. Caffeine causes an increase in energy by stimulating your central nervous system. Caffeine also impairs insulin sensitivity, which causes glucose levels to remain elevated, according to Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, Dr. Maria Collazo-Clavell. Decreased action of insulin will allow your blood glucose levels to rise and stay elevated until the effects of caffeine have worn off.
Stress
Stress causes your body to release hormones to help you deal with the increased demands made on your body. It triggers your body to release cortisol and adrenaline to provide short-term energy and help you mentally focus on the tasks you are trying to perform. Adrenaline and cortisol increase available energy for your body to use. Adrenaline causes rapid breakdown of stored glucose in the liver and muscles. Cortisol breaks down proteins to make glucose and raise glucose levels. According to MayoClinic.com, cortisol increases your brain's ability to use glucose and causes an increase in your blood sugar levels.
References
- "Exercise and Sports Science"; William E Garrett and Donald T. Kirkendall; 2000
- MayoClinic.com: Stress Management
- Duke University: Studies of Caffeine and Coffee Drinking
- MayoClinic.com: Does Caffeine Affect Blood Sugar?
