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The Importance of Insulin to Diabetics

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which is responsible for turning the glucose found in the food we eat into energy for our bodies. Because diabetics are unable to process or generate their own insulin, glucose remains in their blood. While there is no cure for diabetes as of 2009, most diabetics can control their blood sugar levels with a combination of diet, exercise and insulin. A 2007 study by the American Diabetes Association states that 24 percent of Americans with diabetes are unaware they have diabetes.

  1. How Insulin Works

    • Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to control the body's conversion of food into energy. On the website wisegeek.com, Lorna W. describes the function of insulin in controlling glucose levels in the body as part of a cycle, noting that "when glucose levels are high, insulin stimulates cells in the liver, muscles and fat. Liver and muscle cells combine glucose into a compound called glycogen, essentially storing the energy for later use."

    Synthetic Insulin

    • People with Type 1 diabetes cannot produce their own insulin and must take synthetic insulin. While there is no alternative treatment for Type 1 diabetes as of 2009, diabetics can choose between daily insulin injections or an insulin pump that monitors and auto-corrects blood sugar levels.

    Insulin & Type 2 Diabetes

    • Type 2 diabetics may not need to take synthetic insulin if they can successfully regulate their blood sugar. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can sometimes prevent Type 2 diabetics from needing synthetic insulin. Other medications that are not insulin can be used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

    Insulin & Blood Sugar

    • The hormones glucagon and insulin work together to keep blood sugar from running too high or too low. People with consistently low blood sugar are said to be hypoglycemic; hyperglycemia denotes consistently high blood sugar. Both conditions can cause adverse health effects.

    Diabetes-Related Organ Damage

    • Over time, having excess glucose in your bloodstream can cause damage to the kidney, eyes, blood vessels and other organs. Insulin keeps glucose at a normal level, protecting organs from damage.

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