Healthy Living and Fitness

Illness Care: Diabetes Type II

Anatomy/Function

Insulin and several other hormones that the body needs are produced in the pancreas, located in the abdomen just behind the stomach. The pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream, which carries it to all the cells in the body.

Once released into the bloodstream, insulin attaches to the cells, triggering a process that allows the glucose to enter and be converted to energy.

Although the pancreas does produce insulin in people with Type II Diabetes, the cells of the body "resist" the insulin's effects. As a result, the glucose circulating in the bloodstream cannot enter the cells and be used for energy.

 

Return to our main Healthy Living and Fitness page