Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hormone produced in the pancreas: Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It is essential for regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins by promoting the absorption of glucose from the blood into liver, fat, and skeletal muscle cells.
   • A medication for diabetes: Insulin is also the name for medicinal preparations of this hormone, used to treat conditions like diabetes mellitus where the body does not produce enough insulin or cannot use it effectively.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor prescribed insulin to manage her diabetes.
  • Without insulin, glucose cannot enter the body's cells to be used for energy.
  • Researchers are studying new methods of insulin delivery.

Advanced Usage

• "Insulin resistance": A physiological condition in which cells fail to respond normally to the hormone insulin.

  • Obesity is a major risk factor for developing insulin resistance.

• "Insulin shock": A state of severe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) caused by an excess of insulin.

  • The diabetic patient experienced insulin shock after taking too much medication.

Variants and Related Words

• Insulin-dependent (adj): Requiring insulin for treatment; often used to describe Type 1 diabetes.

  • He has insulin-dependent diabetes.

• Insulinoma (n): A rare tumor of the pancreas that produces excess insulin.

  • The insulinoma was causing recurrent episodes of hypoglycemia.

Synonyms

• Hormone: A regulatory substance produced in an organism. (Insulin is a specific type of hormone.)
• Antidiabetic agent: A substance that helps control blood sugar levels. (Insulin is one kind of antidiabetic agent.)

Related Phrases

• "To be on insulin": To require regular injections or infusions of insulin as medical treatment.

  • After the diagnosis, she had to be on insulin for the rest of her life.

• "Insulin pump": A medical device used for the administration of insulin.

  • The insulin pump provides a continuous supply of short-acting insulin.

Related Idioms

• "A shot of insulin": (Informal) Refers to an injection of insulin.
  • He needs a shot of insulin before every meal.

Noun

1. hormone secreted by the isles of Langerhans in the pancreas; regulates storage of glycogen in the liver and accelerates oxidation of sugar in cells