For many years, the treatment paradigm for type 2 diabetes focused on improving insulin sensitivity, restoring insulin levels and reducing the postprandial hyperglucagonaemia that can cause inappropriate release of glucose from the liver into the bloodstream. More recently, the paradigm has expanded to include incretin hormones, hormones secreted in the gut at mealtimes that play multiple roles in blood glucose regulation. Impaired incretin action is now recognized as a key element in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Early treatment to restore the incretin effect can help patients better manage the disease.

The human incretin hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been shown to help regulate blood glucose levels, blood pressure and body weight and may promote beta-cell health. In this section of NovoMedLink, you can learn more about GLP-1 and its role in early type 2 diabetes management.

Click the links below to learn more about

• The "incretin effect" 
• GLP-1 receptors and GLP-1 effects in the body 
• GLP-1 pathophysiology in type 2 diabetes 
• GLP-1 in clinical practise