insulin

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by specialized cells in the pancreas. Secreted into the bloodstream at each meal, insulin helps the body use and store glucose (sugar) produced during the digestion of food. In people with diabetes, the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot use the insulin that is produced in an efficient manner.

Treatment for diabetes requires the delivery of insulin into the bloodstream by either an insulin pen, needle and syringe, or pump. An insulin pen is a device that looks like a pen but contains an insulin cartridge. Both the syringe and pen methods require injection of the insulin into the arm, thigh, or abdomen. Pump therapy, however, continuously administers insulin according to a programmed plan unique to the pump wearer. Several types of insulin exist, and they differ in when the insulin begins working after it is injected, when the insulin is working hardest, and how long the insulin lasts in the body.

Insulin release and glucose absorption depend on a number of factors, including the glycemic index of food and the co-ingestion of fat and protein. Consumption of high-glycemic foods causes hyperglycemia which results in the release of too much insulin. On the other hand, low-glycemic foods or the ingestion of fat and protein in a meal provide steady glucose absorption and release of insulin.

Exercise lowers blood glucose levels and increases the amount of insulin in the bloodstream, along with improving the body's use of insulin. A balance must exist between the sugar used for energy, the sugar available from food, and the insulin used in lowering blood sugar. Consequently, changes may have to be made to insulin, or food intake, or both, prior to and after exercise.

SEE ALSO DIABETES MELLITUS; GLYCEMIC INDEX; HYPERGLYCEMIA; HYPOGLYCEMIA.

Julie Lager

Bibliography

Bode, Bruce W.; Sabbah, Hassan T.; Gross, Todd M.; Fredrickson, Linda P.; and Davidson, Paul C. (2002). "Diabetes Management in the New Millennium Using Insulin Pump Therapy." Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews 18 (Suppl. 1):S14–S20.

DeWitt, Dawn E. and Hirsch, Irl B. (2003). "Outpatient Insulin Therapy in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Scientific Review." Journal of the American Medical Association 289(17):2254–2264.

Parmet, Sharon; Cassio, Lynm; and Glass, Richard M. (2003). "Insulin." Journal of the American Medical Association 289(17):2314.

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Author Info: Julie Lager, The Gale Group Inc., Macmillan Reference USA, New York, Gale Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z, 2004

This feature is for informational purposes only and should not be used to replace the care and information received from your healthcare provider. Please consult a healthcare professional with any health concerns you may have.