Diabetes

Diabetes is a fairly prevalent chronic disease in humans. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including hereditary and diet-related factors. It is characterized by elevated glucose levels in the body and deficiencies in the hormone insulin. It is crucial to distinguish between diabetes and insulin resistance because, although they may share some similarities, they differ significantly in their effects.

In this guide we will discuss some basic concepts that you should know about insulin, insulin resistance and diabetes.

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas by the so-called beta cells. Although its production is constant, it increases considerably when food is ingested. It was discovered in 1921 by a medical team in Canada and has since revolutionized the way we understand nutrition and serious diseases such as diabetes.

Insulin is the most important hormone when it comes to converting the glucose we obtain from food into usable energy for our body. This is because it is responsible for ensuring that the glucose found in our bloodstream can enter the structures of the cells and be transformed into energy.

Although the above is of great importance, since energy is the basis of human life, its function is not limited to this. Insulin also acts as a natural regulator of the blood glucose level. When the glucose level is too high, insulin sends messages to the body to remove glucose from the blood and store it for the times when it is needed. If this were not possible, the levels of fat in our body would skyrocket, and our energy reservoir would be inefficient.

Diabetes

To address the issue of the relationship between insulin and diabetes, it is important to begin by distinguishing type 1 diabetes from type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the body's inability to produce insulin, which is extremely detrimental to the patient's health. Without insulin, the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels, which can eventually lead to severe complications and even death. For this reason, people with this type of diabetes must take insulin on a regular basis in order to remain stable.

In the case of type 2 diabetes, there is variability in the ability to produce insulin, from those who produce a reduced amount to those who produce almost no insulin, approaching the characteristics of type 1 diabetes. Treatment for these patients generally includes a low-carbohydrate diet and strict glucose control, as any imbalance could have serious consequences for their health.

Insulin resist