Ms. Sarah Al-Bunyan | Clinical Dietitian
7 Facts About the Insulin Hormone
In 1922, insulin medication was extracted after several experiments conducted by scientist Frederick Banting, who discovered insulin, the substance that keeps people alive when their pancreas stops producing this vital hormone. Scientifically, insulin is known as one of the most important hormones in the body, as it transports and stores glucose from the blood into the cells to provide the body with energy.
If the pancreas stops secreting insulin, the body’s cells will stop receiving energy, which threatens bodily functions within a few days. Consequently, before 102 years, people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes had no option but to follow a strict diet to delay entering a hyperglycemic coma. Over time, individuals living with insulin-dependent diabetes now live much closer to normal thanks to the advancements in insulin production and function.
Here, I will present the 7 most important facts about the insulin hormone:
Method of administration: Insulin is injected rather than taken as pills because insulin is absorbed when injected under the skin. If insulin were manufactured as a pill, the hormone’s proteins would break down due to stomach acids, preventing its absorption in the body.
Types of insulin: There are multiple types of insulin that differ in their duration of action, and no single type fits all diabetes cases. The scientifically proven method for controlling blood sugar levels in people with type 1 diabetes—where the pancreas is completely unable to secrete insulin from the onset of diagnosis—is to use a fast-acting insulin injected before meals and a long-acting insulin injected daily to meet the body’s insulin needs.
Storage of used insulin: Insulin in use must be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25°C (room temperature) and should not be exposed to direct sunlight in order to maintain its effectiveness.
Storage of unused insulin: Unopened insulin should be kept in the refrigerator at a temperature between 2–8°C.
No sharing: Since insulin is injected under the skin, sharing insulin with another person is not recommended because it could be a means of transmitting diseases and infections.
Insulin delivery methods: There are three main types of insulin delivery methods: syringes, pens, and the more advanced option, insulin pumps.
Side effects: One of the side effects of using insulin is a drop in blood sugar to low levels, accompanied by symptoms ,such as sweating, increased heart rate, and difficulty concentrating. When blood sugar drops to very low levels, it may lead to loss of consciousness and seizures. Therefore, insulin users must carry small sweets or juice with them to avoid dangerously low blood sugar levels.
