The rarest cell type (less than 1%), epsilon cells produce , the "hunger hormone." Their precise role in adult human islets is still being studied, but they are crucial in early pancreatic development.

If a beta cell releases insulin, that insulin actually has a secondary job: it suppresses adjacent alpha cells from releasing too much glucagon. Conversely, alpha cells release a molecule called to prime beta cells for action. This local chat network ensures that your blood glucose remains within a tight range of roughly 70–140 mg/dL throughout the day.

The prominence of Islets in medical literature is largely due to what happens when they fail. is essentially a disease of the Islets.

Accounting for 15-20% of islet cells, alpha cells produce . Glucagon is insulin’s counterweight. When your blood sugar drops too low (hypoglycemia)—for example, during a long run or a missed meal—alpha cells release glucagon. This signals the liver to release stored glucose, bringing your levels back to normal.

Making up about 15% to 20% of the islet, alpha cells produce . If beta cells are the brakes for high blood sugar, alpha cells are the gas pedal for low blood sugar. When glucose levels drop (hypoglycemia), alpha cells release glucagon. This hormone signals the liver to convert stored glycogen back into glucose and release it into the bloodstream. This seesaw relationship between insulin and glucagon is crucial for survival.

, though they make up only 1–2% of the organ's total mass. Medical Use: Islet transplantation

is a procedure used to restore insulin production in patients with severe Type 1 diabetes. (Video Game) is a hand-drawn metroidvania

Because islets are tiny and only 1% of the pancreas, scientists have developed a revolutionary therapy: .

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