6 Using an Insulin

USING INSULIN HARRIET BRUNDLE

WHAT IS THE PANCREAS? The pancreas is an organ in your body. Your pancreas is a part of your digestive system. The digestive system breaks down and takes in the food you eat. Hi! My name is Polly, and I'm your pancreas.

Your pancreas has some very important jobs. One of its jobs is to make hormones called insulin and glucagon. Together, these hormones make sure we have the right amount of glucose, or sugar, in our blood. I send out hormones into the blood going around your body.

WHAT IS GLUCOSE? Glucose is a kind of sugar that we get from the things we eat, such as bread, pasta, fruits, and vegetables. Our bodies need glucose for energy. Some types of food have more sugar than others.

When you eat, your pancreas starts releasing insulin. Insulin tells your body to take in the glucose from your food. Your pancreas makes sure you have the right amount of glucose in your blood all the time. The amount of glucose in your blood is often called your blood sugar level.

WHAT IS DIABETES? Diabetes is a disease that you get when your blood sugar levels are too high. If your blood sugar levels are too high for a long time, it can be bad for your health. There are two different types of diabetes: type I and type 2. Blood Sugar Levels