by P. Bobby

Created on: November 10, 2010

When examined more closely, it appears Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes are as different as they are alike. Their similarity of course is the inability to utilise the sugar in blood, and directly relates to the way the vital hormone insulin works in the human body. Simply put, people with type 1 diabetes exhibit a complete lack of insulin production from a very early age. Type 2 Diabetes on the other hand usually develops later in life and although insulin is produced, it does not appear to work all that well.

What is Insulin and what role does it have in the human body?

Insulin is a protein hormone produced by specific 'pockets' of the pancreas, a digestive and endocrine (hormone) gland that sits snug in the curve of the upper part of the abdominal gastrointestinal tract (stomach and duodenum). In this handy position, the pancreas can release digestive juices (for breaking down dietary fats and protein) directly into the duodenum - the very first part of the small intestine that follows directly from the stomach.

Separate to this digestive function, the pancreas also secretes small amounts of this potent hormone insulin (and others) not into the intestine to help with digestion but rather immediately absorbed into the blood-stream and distributed quickly to all parts of the body. There, this vital hormone involved in sugar metabolism has its major effect, on glands like the liver, and also on muscle tissue and fat cells. This is an important but often overlooked part of diabetes.

Simple sugar (glucose) is the main, most immediate and most efficient source of energy to all cells within the human body and in particular brain cells. Most people know that brain cells do not survive more than a few minutes without oxygen, but far fewer are aware that more or less the same can be said for glucose. Brain cells need a lot of glucose energy. Other cell types use sugar for somewhat different purposes, as well as their main energy source.

Fat cells are our long-term energy stores and convert the excess blood-sugar into fat for storage. Muscle cells, which are always "on the go", like to use sugar for energy but also need it for repairing their frequently damaged proteins. The liver uses a lot of energy for both food metabolism and toxin elimination, and also has the ability to absorb any excess sugar from blood. However, liver cells store sugar in an ‘easy-to-get-at’ starch-like substance that can provide an emergency supply of glucose for a number of hours.

Without

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