What is Insulin

Insulin, a peptide hormone secreted by the pancreas, serves as a crucial regulator of blood glucose levels in the body. Upon food consumption, especially carbohydrates, insulin is released into the bloodstream, signaling cells to absorb glucose for energy production or storage. It plays a pivotal role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels, ensuring cells receive the necessary energy for optimal function. 

Relationship Between Insulin Production And Diabetes

One essential hormone that the pancreas produces is insulin, which plays a critical role in controlling the body’s levels of glucose, or blood sugar. The body starts breaking down food, especially carbs, into glucose when it is consumed. This glucose then enters the bloodstream. Insulin functions as a molecular key that makes it easier for cells throughout the body to absorb glucose so they may either use it immediately for energy generation or store it for later. 

This process is necessary to keep blood glucose levels steady and guarantee that cells get the energy they require to perform at their best.

Diabetes Types

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). There are primarily two types of diabetes:

• Type 1 Diabetes: This results from the immune system attacking and destroying insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the pancreas produces little to no insulin. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin injections for survival.
• Type 2 Diabetes: This develops when the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Initially, the pancreas may compensate by producing more insulin, but over time, it may not keep up with demand.

Insulin Production and Type 1 Diabetes

When a person has type 1 diabetes, their immune system mistakenly attacks the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. The autoimmune attack causes these essential cells to gradually degrade, which in turn causes the synthesis of insulin to decrease or stop entirely. Reduced insulin levels obstruct cells’ ability to absorb glucose, leading to a build-up of glucose in the blood. If left untreated, persistently high blood sugar levels can lead to a wide range of issues. These consequences can include a wide range of medical conditions, from kidney malfunction and nerve damage to cardiovascular difficulties.

Insulin Production and Type 2 Diabetes

One of the main causes of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, a disease in which cells all over the body show decreased sensitivity to the actions of insulin, which prevents the body from absorbing glucose. The pancreas initially increases insulin production as a compensatory mechanism to overcome resistance and keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range. 

However the pancreas may eventually get overworked due to this increased secretion of insulin, and its capacity to maintain such high levels of production may gradually diminish. As a result, insulin secretion may decrease, worsening the blood glucose build-up. Furthermore, poor food choices, physical inactivity, and obesity are lifestyle variables that might worsen insulin resistance and further impede insulin production, which will accelerate the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Here’s a detailed overview of some common insulin medications:

Rapid-Acting Insulins:

• Admelog SoloStar (Insulin Lispro)
• Apidra (Insulin Glulisine)
• Fiasp (Insulin Aspart)
• Humalog (Insulin Lispro)
• Novolog (Insulin Aspart)

Short-Acting Insulins:

• Humulin R (Human Biosynthetic Insulin Injection)
• Novolin GE Toronto (Human Biosynthetic Insulin Injection)

Intermediate-Acting Insulins:

• Humulin N (Insulin Isophane)
• Novolin GE NPH (Insulin Isophane)

Long-Acting Insulins:

• Basaglar (Insulin Glargine)
• Lantus (Insulin Glargine)
• Levemir (Insulin Detemir)
• Toujeo (Insulin Glargine)
• Tresiba (Insulin Degludec)

Mixed Insulins:

• Humalog Mix (Insulin Lispro)
• NovoMix (Insulin Aspart)
• Novolin GE Mix (Insulin Isophane)

Combination Insulins:

• Soliqua (Insulin Glargine and Lixisenatide)
• Xultophy (Insulin Degludec and Liraglutide)
• Entuzity (Insulin Human and Insulin)

When choosing an insulin medication, factors such as the onset of action, duration, and flexibility of the dosing schedule should be considered. It’s crucial to work closely with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate insulin regimen for individual needs.