Patient's question:
Because of a certain disease, I have been unable to stop taking medication for a long time. Due to the medication, my endocrine system has become problematic. Now, I want to stop taking the medication and regulate my body. Why are insulin and glucagon antagonistic?Doctor's answer:
The insulin in our bodies primarily functions to help glucose in our blood generate, compress, and utilize, thereby reducing blood sugar levels. Glucagon, on the other hand, immediately stimulates the storage of glycogen and intracellular sugar in our bodies to release them into the bloodstream when blood glucose levels rise, thus lowering blood sugar. Their functions are exactly opposite to each other, so they exhibit antagonistic effects. However, the relationship between insulin and glucagon is complementary and mutually restrictive.