/oss/taxonomy/term/752/all en /oss/article/health-you-asked/what-difference-between-type-i-and-type-ii-diabetes <p>Most people have witnessed, at some point a friend or a family member inject themselves with a needle after a meal. What causes them to do this? Diabetes! They are injecting themselves with insulin, a hormone that is in short supply in diabetics. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, a small gland near the stomach. Its primary function is to control the levels of sugar in the blood by facilitating the entry of glucose into body cells. Cells need glucose, a sugar that serves as a prime energy source. If cells in our bodies lack insulin they will not have access to glucose.</p> Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:15:52 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 1799 at /oss