Insulin
Insulin is a hormone that is essential for life for two reasons: a small amount is needed to keep fat cells from breaking down and building up in the blood, and a larger amount is needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Insulin is produced by specialized cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. Insulin enables the sugar (glucose) to move from the blood stream where it cannot be used into the body’s cells where it is used as to enable the cell to function. If sufficient sugar cannot get into the cell, it will die. In all three Types of Diabetes, the body cannot make enough insulin to transport enough sugar out of the blood and consequently the blood sugar will rise above normal levels.
