1. INSULIN By Sarah Marknette

2. WHAT IS IT?  “Insulin is necessary for normal carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism. People with type 1 diabetes mellitus do not produce enough of this hormone to sustain life and therefore depend on exogenous insulin for survival. In contrast, individuals with type 2 diabetes are not dependent on exogenous insulin for survival. However, over time, many of these individuals will show decreased insulin production, therefore requiring supplemental insulin for adequate blood glucose control, especially during times of stress or illness.”

3. THE HISTORY OF INSULIN  Insulin was first discovered around 1921 when researchers realized that the body needs to produce insulin to burn extra glucose for energy and help regulate the sugar in our bloodstream, and those whose bodies had stopped producing it got sick and would die.  They first isolated it and started testing it on diabetic dogs, finding that it lowered their blood sugar levels and learning that it could be used to help with diabetes

4. WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?  Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, so it is naturally occurring in the body.

5. IS IT SYNTHESIZED?  It is synthesized in significant quantities only in the beta cells within the pancreas.

6. DIRECT USES OF INSULIN  It can be used as an injection for people with diabetes, to help regulate sugar in your bloodstream or to help with the storage of excess glucose for energy.  Helps with weight regulation  Body building  Organ preserving  It is used in sport drinks

7. HAS ANYTHING CHANGED?  Since they discovered they could isolate insulin to give out, the price has gone up since the 1900’s due to the number of people around the world who are in need of it.

8. RISKS  Since insulin us used to help lower blood glucose levels, those who take it have a higher risk of having excessively low blood sugar.  Allergic reactions are a risk, just like any other medication.  Can cause cardiovascular problems.  There are no indirect risks I could find.

9. BENEFITS  By taking insulin to help lower blood sugar levels it can also reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, reduced eyesight or blindness, kidney disease, and nerve and feet problems.

10. ALTERNATIVES?  There are many different ways insulin is used, it has many ways in which it can enter the body, either naturally or from medication. So there are no alternatives that would be more safe, the risks of insulin are not all that bad anyways.