- Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter the body’s cells, where it is used as fuel for energy so we can work, play and generally live our lives. It is vital for life.
- Glucose comes from digesting carbohydrate and is also produced by the liver.
- If you have diabetes, your body cannot make proper use of this glucose so it builds up in the blood and can’t be used as fuel.
- There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes develops when glucose can’t enter the body’s cells to be used as fuel. This happens when either:
- There is no insulin to unlock the cells (Type 1)
- There is not enough insulin or the insulin is there but not
working properly (Type 2).
Diabetes.org.uk, (2016). What is diabetes? – Diabetes UK. [online] Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/What-is-diabetes/ [Accessed 12 Feb. 2016].
