Insulin

Insulin:

A protein hormone produced in the pancreas by beta cells, located in the islets of Langerhans, that stimulates cellular utilization of glucose by body cells by converting glucose and other carbohydrates to energy, and that helps control blood sugar levels by acting antagonistically with glucagons, the chief source of stored fuel in the liver. It is released by various signals that are sensitive to the intake and digestion of food. It also acts as an important regulator of protein and lipid metabolism. Insulin is used as a drug
to control insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, a disorder that is caused by the insufficient production of insulin. Without insulin, cells do not absorb glucose. Diabetic individuals may have type I diabetes (juvenile), comprising about 10 percent of the population,
or type II diabetes (adult). Presently some 16 million Americans have diabetes, with 1,700 new cases being diagnosed daily. Diabetes has been linked to the development of a variety of diseases, including heart disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, and neurological disorders.