Insulin News and Research

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Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert glucose, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life. Insulin allows cells to use glucose for fuel and is secreted by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. The release of insulin from the pancreas is stimulated by increased blood glucose, vagal nerve stimulation, and other factors. Insulin is obtained from various animals and available in a variety of preparations. Commercial insulin preparations differ in a number of ways, including differences in the animal species from which they are obtained; their purity, concentration, and solubility; and the time of onset and duration of their biologic action. An oral hypoglycemic agent is not a form of insulin therapy.

Novel peptide from red alga shows potential for blood glucose control

It is a dietary staple found in sushi, rice wraps, and ramen toppings. Commonly known as nori in Japan and gim in Korea, red seaweed is especially popular across Asia.

27 Oct 2026

Plasma proteins offer clues to biological aging and mortality risk

A new study published in Geromedicine has identified 17 plasma proteins associated with all-cause mortality in older adults and found that several of these proteins also track with measures of biological aging across multiple organ systems.

27 Oct 2026

High intake of saturated fat can promote favorable changes in cardiovascular risk markers

New analyses from the Norwegian randomized controlled trial CARBFUNC show that more than doubling saturated fat intake over a two-year period can promote favorable changes in several cardiovascular risk markers, without increasing apoB, the main suspected risk factor.

27 Oct 2026

Proteins linked to Alzheimer's found to assist sperm cells

Unexpectedly, a kind of protein that is usually linked with diseases in the brain may play a vital role in semen, helping shepherd genetic material into sperm cells, scientists at Columbia's Zuckerman Institute report today in the research journal Molecular Cell.

26 Oct 2026

Taking a GLP-1 drug? Here's what the safety evidence really shows

A review on GLP-1 receptor agonists highlights risks like pancreatitis and thyroid cancer, emphasizing individual patient risk over general safety concerns.

26 Oct 2026

Women and men face different heart attack risks with diabetes

Cholesterol abnormalities and high blood pressure contribute to diabetes-related heart attack risk, with significant implications for cardiovascular health.

23 Oct 2026

Electronic implant lowers blood glucose and reduces weight in mice

Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly common worldwide. Unlike type 1 diabetes, it is often linked to obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and excess energy intake over many years.

23 Oct 2026

A study of 802 teens raises questions about school breakfast and blood sugar

A study of 802 U.S. adolescents found that school breakfast participation at least once weekly was associated with a 30% higher prevalence of prediabetes-range glucose markers, while school lunch participation showed no significant association. Higher intakes of vitamins E and B6 and fruit consumption among adolescents with obesity were associated with lower prediabetes prevalence, but none of the reported associations remained statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons.

22 Oct 2026

Transplanted placental cells successfully detected in mouse pancreas after birth

The pancreas is a complex organ comprising multiple cell types that regulate blood glucose levels through hormones, such as insulin, and support digestion by producing digestive enzymes.

22 Oct 2026

Depression profile linked to disrupted sleep and poorer treatment responses

This study uncovers a circadian depression subtype, revealing links between sleep patterns, symptom severity, and antidepressant response in a large cohort.

22 Oct 2026

Beef can fit into healthy diets, but what about its environmental cost?

A narrative review published in Animal Frontiers highlights beef's contribution to high-quality protein and bioavailable micronutrients, while controlled trials generally found no adverse effects on selected cardiometabolic risk markers, although long-term disease outcomes remain uncertain. The authors argue that sustainable food policies should consider nutritional needs, environmental impacts, agricultural productivity, and rural livelihoods when evaluating beef's place in healthy diets.

21 Oct 2026

Blocking specific proteins protects beta cells om excessive cellular stress

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine have identified a molecular pathway that contributes to the death of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.

21 Oct 2026

Glucose priming may improve tumor targeting for chemotherapy nanocarriers

Chemotherapy selectivity is limited by systemic toxicity. pH‑sensitive nanocarriers exploit tumor acidity as a release trigger but respond passively to a modest, heterogeneous gradient.

21 Oct 2026

Could a hormone from our bones reveal early signs of insulin resistance?

Research reveals a link between osteocalcin and insulin resistance in obese children, suggesting early metabolic changes before glucose tolerance impairment.

21 Oct 2026

Scientists discover immune pathway behind radiation-induced lung damage

Researchers at City of Hope®, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the country, have uncovered an immune pathway that may contribute to radiation-related lung damage and have identified a potential strategy to block it.

20 Oct 2026

New study identifies protein factor linked to chronic liver disease

The mechanisms that cause the world's most common chronic liver disease — Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) — to develop and progress are not still fully understood.

20 Oct 2026

Researchers investigate molecular mechanisms linking high-calorie diets to cognitive decline

The molecular mechanisms linking a high calorie diet to cognitive impairment remain unclear. Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo, Japan, investigated this association in mice, finding that the diet reduced nuclear protein PQBP1 expression, disrupting the alternative splicing of genes involved in synaptic function.

20 Oct 2026

Premature menopause linked to higher heart disease risk and insulin levels

Premature menopause is associated with an increased risk of several long-term health problems due to estrogen deficiency.

20 Oct 2026

Could eating whey protein before meals help reduce blood sugar spikes?

A narrative review of 57 randomized trials found that milk and dairy products have inconsistent effects on long-term blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Whey protein consumed before meals more consistently reduced short-term blood sugar spikes, but further research is needed to establish whether these benefits persist over time.

19 Oct 2026

Miro1 protein linked to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes

A protein called Miro1 found at elevated levels in the skeletal muscle of people with Type 2 diabetes may contribute to insulin resistance, potentially making it a target for future treatments that help the body regulate blood sugar, according to a study published today in Nature Communications.

19 Oct 2026