inszulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. It plays a crucial role in regulating the body's metabolism, particularly carbohydrate metabolism. Insulin is essential for allowing glucose, a type of sugar that serves as the body's main source of energy, to enter cells from the bloodstream. Without sufficient insulin, glucose cannot be effectively utilized, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

The primary function of insulin is to lower blood glucose. When you eat, especially carbohydrates, your blood glucose levels rise. This rise signals the pancreas to release insulin. Insulin then acts on various tissues, including the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue, to facilitate glucose uptake. In the liver and muscles, insulin promotes the storage of glucose as glycogen. In adipose tissue, it encourages the conversion of glucose into fat. Insulin also inhibits the liver from producing more glucose.

Disruptions in insulin production or function lead to diabetes mellitus. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body's immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, where the body's cells do not respond effectively to insulin, often coupled with a relative deficiency in insulin production over time. Both conditions require management, often involving insulin therapy, to control blood glucose levels and prevent serious long-term complications.