Beta cells in type 2 diabetes: Science explained – Medical News Today

Beta cells are cells in the pancreas that produce and release insulin in response to blood glucose levels. In people with type 2 diabetes, beta cells have to work harder to produce enough insulin to control high blood sugar levels. This can lead to beta cells being unable to work properly to regulate blood sugar.

In people with type 2 diabetes, prolonged high blood glucose levels require beta cells to work harder so that they can produce enough insulin to lower blood sugar levels.

This overwork can lead to the loss of beta cells or to beta cells being unable to carry out their function effectively. As a result of this cycle of loss of beta cell function, the body may not be able to produce enough insulin to control blood sugar.

In this article, we look at the role of beta cells, the impact of type 2 diabetes on insulin and beta cells, and how to prevent and manage the loss of beta cell function in type 2 diabetes.

Beta cells are cells in the pancreas that produce and release the hormone insulin. Insulin helps control blood sugar, or glucose, levels in the body.

When blood sugar increases — for example, after eating — beta cells respond by releasing stored insulin and continuing to make more of it.

In people with type 2 diabetes, the body has had high levels of glucose for a long time and is unable to make enough insulin or to use it effectively to reduce blood sugar.

Beta cells have to work harder to release and produce enough insulin to control high blood sugar levels. Research suggests that the overwork of beta cells could cause them to stop working properly or die.

This reduces the number of beta cells available to produce and release insulin, which increases the workload for the remaining beta cells and can lead to further loss of beta cells.

Insulin resistance develops early in type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance occurs when tissues and cells in the body are not absorbing glucose for energy, which causes high levels of glucose to remain in the blood. Beta cells may then be unable to produce enough insulin to control blood sugar.

Learn what having high blood sugar levels can feel like here.

Amylin and C-peptide

Beta cells also produce a hormone called amylin. Amylin helps control blood sugar by slowing down the rate at which glucose enters the bloodstream.

C-peptide is a byproduct of insulin production. It also helps repair the walls of the arteries and prevent blood vessel issues and nerve damage.

Beta cells produce C-peptide at the same time as they do insulin and in equal amounts. This means …….

Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/beta-cells-in-type-2-diabetes