Glucose is the predominant product of carbohydrate digestion in most animal, and following a typical meal, blood glucose levels mayrise to 150% of fasting levels. The increase in blood glucose is a major stimulus for the release of insulin from the pancreas, but increases in plasma amio acids during the digestion of a high-protein meal can also stimulate insulin release. Insulin affects carbohydrate, amino acid (protein), and lipid metabolism during the absorptive period, and it is considered the primary endocrine regulator of metabolism during anabolism.