Diabetes Diet

Insulin is a hormone that has extensive effects on metabolism and other body functions, such as vascular compliance. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle, and stopping use of fat as an energy source. When insulin is absent (or low), glucose is not taken up by body cells, and the body begins to use fat as an energy source, for example, by transfer of lipids from adipose tissue to the liver for mobilization as an energy source. As its level is a central metabolic control mechanism, its status is also used as a control signal to other body systems (such as amino acid uptake by body cells). It has several other anabolic effects throughout the body. When control of insulin levels fails, diabetes mellitus will result.

Insulin is used medically to treat some forms of diabetes mellitus. Patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus depend on external insulin (most commonly injected subcutaneously) for their survival because the hormone is no longer produced internally. Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus are insulin resistant, and because of such resistance, may suffer from a relative insulin deficiency. Some patients with Type 2 diabetes may eventually require insulin when other medications fail to control blood glucose levels adequately.

Insulin is a peptide hormone composed of 51 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 5808 Da. It is produced in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The name comes from the Latin insula for "island".

Insulin's structure varies slightly between species of animal. Insulin from animal sources differs somewhat in 'strength' (in carbohydrate metabolism control effects) in humans because of those variations. Porcine (pig) insulin is especially close to the human version.

A Certified diabetes educator (CDE) is a health care professional who is specialized and certified to teach people with diabetes how to manage their condition The American Diabetes Association

Center for Diabetes Care.

The CDE is an invaluable asset to those who need to learn the tools and skills necessary to control their blood sugar and avoid long-term complications due to hyperglycemia. Unlike an endocrinologist, the CDE can spend as much time with a newly diagnosed person as is needed both for educational purposes and emotional support.

Typically the CDE is also a nurse, dietitian, pharmacist or social worker who has further specialized in diabetes education and care management. Formal education and years of practical experience are required, in addition to a formal examination, before a diabetes educator is certified. In the US, certification is awarded by the National Certification Board for Diabetes EducatorsAmerican Association of Diabetes EducatorsNational Certification Board for Diabetes Educators

. In Canada, certification is awarded by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. (CDECB)

In the Philippines, any allied health care professional may apply to be a diabetes educator after taking special courses from the Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators (PADE) or Association of Diabetes Nurse Educators of the Philippines (ADNEP)Philippine Association of Diabetes Educators. Qualified graduates of diabetes educator courses can practice as a professional diabetes educator in any Center for Diabetes Care (CDC) clinic network. The Diabetes Nurse Educator (DNE) and Certified Lay Educator (CLE) are the equivalent of CDE certificate in the Philippines.

In terms of employment, CDE's can work independently for health clinics, medical practices, pharmacies, and for companies which provide diabetes education such as Fit4D.com