Clarifying the Role of Insulin in Type 2 Diabetes Management

Insulin is an important hormone that controls many bodily processes. However, problems with this hormone are at the heart of many modern health conditions.

This article explains all you need to know about insulin in type 2 diabetes management.

What is insulin?

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that allows the body to use glucose for energy. Glucose is a type of sugar found in many carbohydrates.

Carbohydrates in the food we eat are broken down in the digestive tract and changed into glucose. That glucose is then absorbed into the bloodstream through the lining of the small intestine.

Once glucose reaches the bloodstream, insulin signals cells throughout the body to absorb this sugar and use it for energy.

When there is too much blood glucose, insulin directs the body to store the leftover glucose in the liver. The stored glucose isn’t released until your blood glucose levels decrease.

The blood glucose levels may decrease between meals or when the body is stressed or needs an extra boost of energy.