The increase in glucose levels in the blood stimulates β cells of the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin, in turn, stimulates the cells of the liver to convert glucose to glycogen. As the glucose levels in the blood decrease, the production of insulin is stopped. Next, glucagon is released by the α cells of the pancreas to convert glycogen to glucose to meet the energy requirements of the body. This forward and backward conversion of glucose to glycogen and glycogen to glucose maintains optimum levels of glucose in the blood.