Insulin
<p class="default"><span style=" font-size: 8pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">Insulin directs the body to process glucose, the simple sugar that delivers energy to cells via the bloodstream. Too much insulin causes low blood sugar, which induces shaking and sweating and can be fatal. Too little insulin makes for high blood sugar, the hallmark of diabetes. </span></p>
<p class="default"> </p>
<p class="default"><span style=" font-size: 8pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">People with type 1 or juvenile-onset diabetes, stop making insulin early in life when a misdirected immune onslaught kills off their beta cells. People with type 2 diabetes usually retain beta cellls into adulthood. But at some point, their bodies begin to ignore, or resist, insulin's message. Then beta cells must make more and more insulin to have an effect. Eventually, the overwhelmed beta cells start to commit suicide, sending blood sugar concentrations soaring. </span></p>
<p class="default"> </p>
<p class="default"><span style=" font-size: 8pt; color: #000000; font-family: Arial;">-- Science News, 8/16/03, page 104 </span></p>