Tag - What is Insulin?

What is Insulin, Must I go on It As Diabetic Patient?

July 14, 2015

Diabetes has become a very common problem all over the world. Rather the number is rising at such a great pace, that doctors and researchers are trying to find out ways to combat this issue and help humans to live a healthier life. Diabetes is caused when the body does not produce insulin naturally or in sufficient amounts to maintain blood sugar levels.

What is insulin & What it is made of?

Insulin is a hormone which is made by the body naturally in the pancreas. Its work is to maintain the levels of sugar in the blood. But due to various reasons, the system does not produce this specific hormone and it also happens that the body is unable to use the insulin produced by the pancreas. In such cases, blood sugar level rises and you are diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes has many other effects on the body. You become prone to diseases like heart attacks, hypertension, bone problems, vision deficiency etc. Hence the problem has to be treated immediately to reduce risks of other complications.

Most often, Insulin is administered to diabetic patients. It entirely depends on the blood sugar level and the doctor’s advice. If usual medications, diabetic diets and physical activities do not work well to control diabetes, Insulin is given. It cannot be taken orally as the digestive enzymes in the body destroy this insulin. So it is given by an injection under the skin surface.

When is Insulin administered?

Insulin is injected when you are diagnosed with Type1 Diabetes because in this case the body does not produce the hormone in the pancreas. You do not get the energy you require from glucose. So it has to be supplied to the body through injection. The amount of the hormone and the type of insulin is determined by your physician in accordance to the composition of your system and blood sugar levels. Age, weight, sugar counts, general health are the aspects that the doctor considers before starting the insulin plan. The responses received from the body after the first dosage, are of great importance. The amount that is to be injected depends on such responses.

It is very important for the patient to work in cooperation with his/her doctor to achieve the desired goals. You want to live a healthy life and for that end you have to follow every advice you are given. The best way to start off is by walking or jogging or going to a gym to get assistance from a fitness instructor and a balanced diabetic diet.

How Insulin Works In The Body

July 9, 2015

Kevin Angileri

health tips

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Today, we often hear about Diabetes and individuals taking Insulin for its treatment. So it has become very important for all to know what Insulin is and what it does for the body.

Insulin – What is it?

Insulin is a protein chain or a peptide hormone. It is produced in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The name Insulin comes from the Latin word “insula” meaning “island” from the cells that produce this particular hormone in the pancreas. It helps the cells of the body to absorb glucose from the blood. The glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen and stops the body from using fat as energy sources. Insulin works in two ways namely excitatory like stimulating glucose uptake and lipid synthesis and the second class is inhibitory such as inhibiting lipolysis, proteolysis, gluconeogenesis etc.

How Insulin is produced

Insulin is produced in the pancreas. Let us see how it takes place. The pancreas has two main functions. Firstly it produces pancreatic digestive juices and secondly it produces insulin and other digestive hormones. The endocrine pancreas is the part of the pancreas that produces insulin and other hormones. When protein is ingested insulin is released. Insulin is also released when glucose is present in the blood. After eating carbohydrates the level of glucose present in blood rises and when it crosses the limit, an individual is diagnosed with Diabetes.

How Insulin Works In The Body

Insulin has few broad actions that include:

It enables the cells in the liver, muscle and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood and convert it into glycogen that can be stored in the muscles and liver.
Insulin controls other body systems and regulates the amino acids absorption by the cells of the body.
Absence of Insulin in the body causes various problems like using fat as energy source. Insulin prevents the utilization of fat as energy source.
It has other anabolic effects throughout the body.

Hence the presence of insulin in the blood is necessary for maintaining health.