Insulin is a hormone critical for regulation of blood sugar. When insulin is active in the body it lowers blood sugar, moving it into tissues such as the liver, muscles, and fat where it can be stored as glycogen or adipose. When insulin is deficient or if the cells in our body do not respond to it well, the result is diabetes.
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes results when our pancreas does not make enough insulin. Without insulin, sugar in the blood cannot enter cells in our body for energy. This causes failure of normal metabolism of all our cells. Hormones are released so that fat can be broken down for energy production. This produces of acids called ketones, resulting in a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. In addition, the level of sugar in the blood rises to dangerous levels, leading to excess urine production and dehydration. Eventually the brain cannot function sufficiently and coma and even death may follow.
Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed most commonly in children and adolescents, but it can occur at any age.
Type 2 diabetes develops when cells in the body become resistant to insulin. This may happen due to the accumulation of fat in muscle and other tissues. Blood sugar rises, and the pancreas produces more insulin.
In type 2 diabetes, levels of both insulin and blood sugar (glucose) are elevated.
High blood sugar leads to frequent urination, dehydration, thirst, unintended weight loss, poor healing, frequent infections, and other serious complications.
Shedding fat and taking oral medications that lower blood sugar are helpful. Type 2 diabetes occurs most commonly in adults and is sometimes called “adult onset diabetes.” We can decrease the likelihood of this disease by staying fit and relatively lean as well as eating foods low in sugar.
Note: Although I am a physician, the content in this article is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness or disease in the reader – it is for educational purposes only.
References
- Nørlev JTD, Hejlesen O, Jensen MH, Hangaard S. Quantification of insulin adherence in adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes: A systematic review. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2023 Dec;17(12):102908.
- Aschner P. Insulin Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes. Am J Ther. 2020 Jan/Feb;27(1):e79-e90.
- Home PD, Mehta R. Insulin therapy development beyond 100 years. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021 10;9(10):695-707.
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