We have detected that you are located in . Do you want to switch to the local site?
Table of contents
For people living with diabetes, understanding how insulin works, how to release insulin effectively - and when treatment is needed - can make a big difference in managing health and preventing complications with the guidance of your doctor and a healthcare team. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or supporting someone with diabetes, knowing more about insulin is a helpful step forward.
Insulin, produced by beta cells, is a hormone the body needs every day. It acts as a key to unlock cells, allowing glucose to enter and be used for energy. Without it, blood sugar builds up in the bloodstream and can lead to serious complications.
Insulin, including intermediate acting insulin, is made by the pancreas, a small organ located behind the stomach. It regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels by allowing glucose from food to enter the body’s cells for energy.
Without insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. This can damage organs and lead to complications like nerve damage, kidney problems, and cardiovascular disease1.
After a meal, blood glucose levels rise. In response, the pancreas releases rapid acting insulin, which signals cells - especially in the liver, muscles, and fat - to absorb glucose for energy or storage2.
Insulin, in conjunction with the digestive system, also helps regulate fat and protein metabolism. It has a broad influence on how the body processes nutrients.
Insulin helps move glucose from the bloodstream into cells. In diabetes, this process of regulating blood glucose levels may need support through insulin treatment.
Insulin turns food into fuel, helping to lower blood glucose levels in the process. In people without diabetes, insulin is released in just the right amounts. In diabetes, this balance is disrupted.
Some people may need to take insulin shots or pumps to control their glucose levels. Without insulin, glucose remains in the blood, increasing the risk of complications like heart disease, vision loss, and poor healing3.
High blood sugar (hyperglycaemia) can silently damage blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to issues in the eyes, feet, kidneys, and an increased risk of stroke, especially if one has a certain medical history.
Insulin treatment mimics the body’s natural insulin response and helps maintain blood sugar within the target range. It moves glucose into cells and lowers blood sugar to safer levels.
Modern insulin therapies are designed to follow the body’s rhythms - such as mealtime insulin (for food) and background insulin (between meals and overnight).
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes both involve different types of acting insulin, but the causes differ. Understanding these differences supports better choices around treatment for diabetes.
In type 1 diabetes mellitus, the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The body produces no insulin, and treatment becomes essential4.
This form often develops in childhood or adolescence but can occur at any age. Without insulin replacement, type 1 diabetes is life-threatening due to the accumulation of extra glucose.
In type 2 diabetes, the body still produces short acting insulin, but doesn’t use it effectively (insulin resistance) or doesn’t produce enough. Over time, blood sugar rises and insulin treatment may be needed5.
Type 2 diabetes can develop gradually, and many people are unaware they have it. Starting insulin is not a failure - it's part of effective diabetes care for managing a progressive condition.
People with type 1 diabetes rely on insulin to survive. Without it, their blood sugar would rise dangerously high.
Insulin must be taken daily. Without it (insulin), blood sugar can increase rapidly, which can lead to life-threatening complications like diabetic ketoacidosis6.
Insulin replaces a function the body has lost. It enables the body to absorb nutrients through the digestive tract and maintain normal metabolic function.
Types of insulin include:
Insulin types may be combined, and plans are tailored to lifestyle and health needs to support you living with diabetes.
Insulin can be delivered through:
Effective management includes:
With the right support, people with type 1 diabetes can live full and active lives4.
As type 2 diabetes progresses, insulin may become necessary alongside other diabetes medicines. This is a helpful and effective part of care - not a sign of failure.
Initially, type 2 diabetes is often managed through diet, exercise, and medication. But over time, these may not control blood sugar. Insulin treatment may then be needed5.
This step reflects the natural progression of diabetes - not personal failure.
Options include:
Dosing is tailored to the individual. Some people may begin with a single daily injection, while others may need more frequent doses.
Many worry that starting insulin means their diabetes is worsening8. In fact, insulin can help preserve pancreatic function and prevent complications.
It’s a proactive way to improve blood sugar control and protect long-term health.
Insulin resistance isn’t diabetes, but it raises the risk. If unmanaged, it can progress to type 2 diabetes.
When cells stop responding well to insulin, the pancreas produces more to compensate. Over time, this demand can overwhelm the pancreas9.
Insulin resistance often develops gradually, influenced by acting insulin and other factors.
Other factors include hormonal changes and poor sleep10.
Signs of insulin resistance can include:
Lifestyle changes like managing your diabetes with exercise, weight loss, and healthier eating can reverse insulin resistance and delay insulin diabetes progression11.
Starting insulin can feel like a big step, but it can also bring significant health benefits. Many people feel unsure, but insulin often brings more stability, not less.
It’s common to feel nervous about starting insulin for diabetes. Some people view it as a setback, but insulin is a natural next step in managing a chronic condition8.
Insulin lowers blood sugar, reduces complications, and supports a more energetic lifestyle2. It's a tool for improving health - not a sign of failure.
Insulin injections are prescribed for treatment of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes based on changing needs - not on success or failure.
Starting a new routine can be challenging, but support helps. With education and practice, insulin therapy becomes manageable.
Supportive steps include:
Many find insulin quickly becomes part of everyday life.
Accepting insulin is not giving in - it’s taking control. It allows people to live well, meet goals, and protect long-term health.
Modern insulin treatment, including premixed insulin, is flexible and tailored to the individual. Whether rapid-acting or long-acting, the aim is the same: better control, fewer complications, and more confidence.
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. After you eat, it allows glucose from food to enter your body’s cells, where it’s used for energy or stored for later use. Without enough insulin, glucose stays in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar. Insulin therapy helps keep levels within a healthy range.
In some cases, especially with type 2 diabetes, insulin can be avoided or delayed through healthy lifestyle changes, such as eating well, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking prescribed oral medications. However, if blood sugar levels remain high despite these efforts in clinical diabetes, insulin may become necessary. It’s not a failure - it’s a helpful tool to protect your long-term health.
No, you cannot get insulin directly through your diet. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and cannot be absorbed from food. While a healthy diet can help manage blood sugar levels - especially in type 2 diabetes - it cannot replace insulin. People who need insulin must take it through injections or an insulin pump as prescribed by their doctor.
HQ25DI00140
