Before you start exploring the pathway, let’s learn why knowing how insulin is made is important!
This is Insulin.
Insulin is a special helper called a hormone made by your body. It helps move sugar from your blood into your cells. Your cells use that sugar for energy so you can play, think, and grow.
This is the Pancreas.
The pancreas is an organ in your belly that helps your body digest food. It makes insulin and other helpers that digest what you eat.
Insulin is made in the Pancreatic Beta Cell.
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Inside the pancreas, there are little clusters called the islets of Langerhans where special cells called pancreatic beta cells live.
The Pancreatic Beta Cell is a tiny part of the pancreas that makes and releases insulin. It watches how much sugar is in your blood and sends out insulin when your body needs it.
How does insulin work?
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After you eat and sugar goes into your blood, insulin helps move that sugar into your muscle and fat cells. That way, your cells can use the sugar for energy or save it for later.
When there is a problem making insulin, you can get Diabetes.
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People with Diabetes have a hard time breaking up the sugar in their blood, either because there’s not enough insulin or the insulin isn’t working right. This can make you feel tired or sick.
There are 2 types of Diabetes.
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