INSULIN

By Sarah Marknette

WHAT IS IT?

“Insulin is necessary for normal carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. People with type 1 diabetes mellitus do not produce enough of this hormone to sustain life and therefore depend on exogenous insulin for survival. In contrast, individuals with type 2 diabetes are not dependent on exogenous insulin for survival. However, over time, many of these individuals will show decreased insulin production, therefore requiring supplemental insulin for adequate blood glucose control, especially during times of stress or illness.”

THE HISTORY OF INSULIN

I

nsulin was first discovered around 1921 when researchers

realized that the body needs to produce insulin to burn extra

glucose for energy and help regulate the sugar in our

bloodstream, and those whose bodies had stopped producing it

got sick and would die.

T

hey first isolated it and started testing it on diabetic dogs,

finding that it lowered their blood sugar levels and learning

that it could be used to help with diabetes

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

I

nsulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, so it is

naturally occurring in the body.

IS IT SYNTHESIZED?

I

t is synthesized in significant quantities only in the

beta cells within the pancreas.

DIRECT USES OF INSULIN

I

t can be used as an injection for people with diabetes, to help regulate sugar

in your bloodstream or to help with the storage of excess glucose for energy.

H

elps with weight regulation

B

ody building

O

rgan preserving

I

t is used in sport drinks

HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?

S

ince they discovered they could isolate insulin to

give out, the price has gone up since the 1900’s due

to the number of people around the world who are in

need of it.

RISKS

S

ince insulin us used to help lower blood glucose levels, those who

take it have a higher risk of having excessively low blood sugar.

A

llergic reactions are a risk, just like any other medication.

C

an cause cardiovascular problems.

T

here are no indirect risks I could find.

BENEFITS

B

y taking insulin to help lower blood sugar levels it

can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke,

reduced eyesight or blindness, kidney disease, and

nerve and feet problems.

ALTERNATIVES?

T

here are many different ways insulin is used, it has

many ways in which it can enter the body, either

naturally or from medication. So there are no

alternatives that would be more safe, the risks of

insulin are not all that bad anyways.