Which hormone is crucial for maintaining proper blood glucose levels?

Insulin is crucial for maintaining proper blood glucose levels because it plays a primary role in glucose metabolism. When blood sugar levels rise after eating, the pancreas secretes insulin, which facilitates the uptake of glucose by cells, allowing them to use it for energy or store it as glycogen in the liver and muscles. This process lowers blood glucose levels back to a normal range.

Additionally, insulin helps regulate various metabolic processes, including lipid synthesis and protein metabolism. By promoting the storage of glucose and inhibiting gluconeogenesis, insulin ensures that blood glucose levels remain stable. This is particularly important for overall health, as chronic high blood sugar can lead to conditions like diabetes.

While other hormones like glucagon also regulate blood glucose, its function is to increase blood sugar levels when they drop too low, making it less about maintenance during normal circumstances. Cortisol and adrenaline also affect blood glucose but mainly during stress responses or fasting rather than constant maintenance under normal physiological conditions. Thus, insulin is the key hormone for keeping blood glucose levels stable and within a healthy range.