What is the role of insulin in managing diabetes?

Insulin helps regulate blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter cells, where it’s used for energy. In people with diabetes, this process is impaired: either the body doesn’t produce insulin (Type 1) or doesn’t use it effectively (Type 2). Without proper insulin function, blood sugar levels rise and can lead to serious health complications.

How do insulin pumps work compared to injections?

Insulin pumps deliver a continuous supply of insulin through a small catheter under the skin, helping mimic the body’s natural insulin release. Unlike injections, which are typically administered several times a day, pumps allow for more precise and flexible control of blood sugar levels.

Cutting-Edge Insulin Delivery Systems

For over a century, insulin has been a lifeline for millions, helping to regulate blood sugar and keep diabetes in check. But gone are the days of relying solely on painful daily injections. As we mark 100 years since insulin’s groundbreaking discovery, let’s explore how this game-changing hormone — and the way it’s delivered — has evolved, making diabetes management easier and more advanced than ever.

What Is the Role of Insulin in Diabetes?

Insulin plays a vital role in regulating blood sugar by helping glucose move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells, where we use it for energy. In people with diabetes, this process is disrupted in one of two key ways:

Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas, preventing the body from producing insulin.

Type 2 diabetes happens when the body doesn’t use insulin effectively or doesn’t produce enough.

Without proper insulin function, glucose builds up in the bloodstream, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and long-term health risks.

So, how does insulin actually work?

When you eat, your body breaks food down into glucose (a simple sugar). Insulin, produced by the pancreas, acts like a key, unlocking cells so they can absorb and use glucose for energy in activities like movement, healing and even basics like breathing.

In type 1 diabetes, the body stops making insulin altogether, making daily insulin therapy essential. In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin or produces too little of it, which can often be managed with lifestyle changes, medication or insulin therapy.

Before researchers discovered insulin, diabetes was often fatal. Today, advances in insulin production and delivery have made it possible for millions to manage the disease and live longer, healthier lives.

Early Insulin Extraction and Breakthroughs

In 1921, scientists first isolated insulin, extracting it from the pancreas of animals and successfully using it to lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. This breakthrough paved the way for insulin as a life-saving treatment. Pharmaceutical companies soon began mass-producing insulin, using animal-derived sources until synthetic versions were developed.

From Animal to Synthetic Insulin

While early insulin treatments relied on extracts from cows and pigs, researchers eventually developed synthetic human insulin in the 1980s. This bioengineered insulin, created using recombinant DNA technology, closely mimicked naturally produced insulin and reduced the risk of allergic reactions. Over time, synthetic insulin formulations became more precise, offering longer-lasting and faster-acting options to better regulate blood sugar levels.

Advances in Insulin Delivery

Modern insulin delivery has evolved far beyond syringes. Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have made managing diabetes more convenient.

Devices like insulin pumps provide a steady supply of insulin through a small tube inserted under the skin, eliminating the need for multiple daily injections. Some pumps even integrate with CGMs to adjust insulin levels automatically, bringing diabetes management closer to the function of a healthy pancreas.

Let’s look at some of these modern methods of insulin delivery and how they have made staying healthy more convenient for diabetics:

Automated Insulin Delivery Systems

The first FDA-approved automated insulin delivery (AID) system, the MiniMed 670G, marked a major breakthrough in diabetes management. Often called an “artificial pancreas,” this device continuously monitors glucose levels and delivers insulin as needed.

Since then, newer models like the MiniMed 780G have improved algorithm accuracy, reduced the need for manual input and provided even greater glycemic control, especially for teens and young adults with Type 1 diabetes.

Pediatric Specific Technology

In 2020, the MiniMed 770G became the first AID system approved for children as young as 2 years old. The MiniMed 770G allows young children to receive their insulin doses when they’re at daycare or otherwise away from their parents. It’s also beneficial in situations where children may resist receiving injections.

Tubeless Insulin Delivery

We live in a technicolor (and tech-filled) world. With devices like the Omnipod 5, people with diabetes can access tubeless insulin delivery that integrates seamlessly with their smartphones via Bluetooth. Through an app, users can monitor glucose levels, adjust settings and receive real-time alerts. This offers greater freedom, flexibility and peace of mind in their day-to-day lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Whether you’re curious about how insulin works or considering graduate study in medical sciences, here are answers to a few common questions to guide your next steps:

What is the role of insulin in managing diabetes?
Insulin helps regulate blood sugar by allowing glucose to enter cells, where it’s used for energy. In people with diabetes, this process is impaired: either the body doesn’t produce insulin (Type 1) or doesn’t use it effectively (Type 2). Without proper insulin function, blood sugar levels rise and can lead to serious health complications.

How do insulin pumps work compared to injections?
Insulin pumps deliver a continuous supply of insulin through a small catheter under the skin, helping mimic the body’s natural insulin release. Unlike injections, which are typically administered several times a day, pumps allow for more precise and flexible control of blood sugar levels.

Build Expertise in Endocrine System Function and Beyond at UF

The University of Florida proudly offers several online graduate credentials in the medical sciences. Whether you’re looking to advance your career in endocrinology, biomedical research or diabetes education or want to branch into other areas of health science like medical anatomy, physiology or public health, UF has a program to support your goals.

As a student, you’ll be able to access your courses entirely online through a virtual classroom that enables you to complete coursework at your own pace, from almost any location. No campus-based classes are required.

Some of our current online programs include: