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.