The Discovery of Insulin: A Milestone in Medical History

The discovery of insulin is primarily attributed to Canadian scientists Frederick Banting and Charles Best. In 1921, they managed to isolate the hormone from the pancreas of dogs for the first time and demonstrated its life-saving effects in diabetic animals.

Together with physiologist John Macleod and biochemist James Collip, they developed the method further to make insulin usable for humans. For their groundbreaking work, Banting and Macleod received the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1923, and since then, insulin has revolutionized the treatment of diabetes worldwide.

World Diabetes Day, observed annually on November 14, highlights the importance of diabetes prevention and treatment. One of the most significant discoveries in the history of diabetes treatment was the discovery of insulin in 1921.

What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. It plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. When we eat, blood sugar levels rise. Insulin helps the body transport this sugar (glucose) from the blood into the cells, where it is used as an energy source.

Insulin and Diabetes
In people with Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, leading to dangerously high blood sugar levels. They rely on lifelong insulin therapy. In Type 2 diabetes, insulin production is often insufficient or the body cannot effectively use insulin, also leading to elevated blood sugar levels.

The discovery and advancement of insulin have revolutionized the lives of millions of people with diabetes. Through the administration of insulin preparations, many affected individuals can lead normal lives and avoid complications.

On World Diabetes Day, the public is not only educated about diabetes but also reminded of the groundbreaking progress of insulin therapy.

Thank You, Marjorie
The name of the dog that played a central role in the early insulin experiments by Frederick Banting and Charles Best was Marjorie. She was one of the dogs whose pancreas was removed to induce a diabetes-like condition. By administering the isolated insulin, Marjorie was kept alive, providing crucial proof of insulin’s effectiveness in treating diabetes.

The discovery of insulin and the groundbreaking experiments with Marjorie have saved the lives of millions of people with diabetes and have profoundly impacted modern medicine. Thanks to the work of Banting, Best, and their colleagues, people with diabetes today can lead largely normal lives. World Diabetes Day not only reminds us of the challenges of this disease but also of the tremendous progress made through medical research in the fight against diabetes.

Sources
Wikipedia