What is Insulin?
Dr Carolyn Dean is a medical doctor and naturopath. She has authored and co-authored over 35 books
What Is Insulin? Insulin is a peptide hormone that is made by the beta cells in the pancreatic islets – the regions of the pancreas that contain hormone-producing cells.
Insulin is considered to be the body’s main anabolic hormone – meaning a hormone that deals with the metabolic system – as it regulates the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein.
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Insulin helps glucose in the blood to be absorbed into the liver, skeletal muscle and fat cells, where it is then converted into glycogen or triglycerides. The concentration of insulin in the blood affects the production and secretion of glucose, as well as affecting the synthesis of proteins in a range of tissues. Insulin is used as a treatment for diabetes - both type 1 and 2 - as it can replace and/or supplement the body’s own supply of the hormone. Those with type 1 diabetes do not produce any of their own insulin so it must be provided by injection, whilst those with type 2 diabetes do not always require insulin injections.
Insulin is used as a treatment for diabetes - both type 1 and 2 - as it can replace and/or supplement the body’s own supply of the hormone.
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