In: Anatomy and Physiology
Given what you have considered in the previous questions, explain why insulin must be injected rather than eaten.
Insulin is a hormone made up of proteins. So if it is taken by mouth, before it can get into bloodstream and perform its function, it will be broken down by digestive chemicals in the stomach and intestines during digestive process. The insulin would be inactivated by this. Therefore, when the body can not make insulin, it can not be taken orally and injection is the more common way of delivering insulin into the bloodstream.
Insulin is a hormone produced in the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans that are found in the pancreas. As part of the digestion process the carbohydrates in our food are broken down to glucose. Glucose moves to the cells in our body through the bloodstream, to be used as energy. Insulin is needed to enter most cells. Glucose builds up in the bloodstream without or with less insulin. The pills which help regulate diabetes are not insulin, but they are intended to help the body make use of the insulin it already secretes.