What Is Insulin?

Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy. It is made by an organ called the pancreas, which is located behind the stomach. Insulin is very important because it helps control the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood.

How Does Insulin Work?

When we eat food, especially foods that contain carbohydrates like bread, rice, and fruit, our body breaks them down into sugar. This sugar goes into the blood, and the pancreas releases insulin. Insulin helps move the sugar from the blood into the body’s cells, where it is use for energy. If there is too much sugar in the blood, insulin helps store it in the liver for later use.

Why Is Insulin Important?

Without insulin, the sugar in the blood would stay too high. This can cause serious health problems over time. If the body does not make enough insulin or does not use it properly, a person can develop diabetes.

Insulin and Diabetes

There are two main types of diabetes:

1. Type 1 Diabetes – In this condition, the body does not make insulin at all. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day through injections or an insulin pump.
2. Type 2 Diabetes – The body makes insulin, but it does not work properly. This can sometimes be managed with a healthy diet, exercise, and medication, but some people also need insulin.

How Is Insulin Use as Medicine?

Some people need insulin shots because their body does not produce enough of it. Insulin medicine is made in labs and works just like the insulin made by the body. It can be injected using a needle, pen, or pump.

Conclusion

Insulin is a life-saving hormone that helps the body use sugar for energy. Without it, blood sugar levels can become too high, leading to diabetes and other health problems. For people with diabetes, insulin medicine helps keep blood sugar at a healthy level. Taking care of insulin levels through a balanced diet, exercise, and medicine (if needed) is important for good health.