What is Insulin?

Insulin is an anabolic hormone which is produced in the pancreas and involved in the metabolism of sugars in the body. When your pet eats something, much of the digested food is broken down into glucose, which is the body’s main source of energy. The pancreas then responds to the increased blood sugar levels by secreting insulin into the blood stream.

Like in humans, most cells in your pet’s body contain insulin receptors which help bind the insulin to the cell. Once insulin is attached to the cell, other receptor sites are activated which allows the glucose to enter the cell. This works in a similar way to a lock a key, insulin being the key to unlock the door and allow glucose to enter the cells. Glucose is then either used for immediate energy or converted into glycogen which can be stored for later use.

Insulin is an essential hormone and without it your pet is unable to convert the food it eats into usable energy. When insulin is not produced sufficiently, or not used correctly in the body, blood sugar levels become too high and hyperglycemia or diabetes occurs. Many pets diagnosed with diabetes require insulin shots to manage their glucose levels.

Giving your diabetic pet insulin can be a tricky task and doesn’t come without risks. Too much insulin can result in a dangerous condition known as hypoglycemia and too little insulin can result in states of hyperglycemia. Diabetic pets therefore need close home monitoring and regular veterinary check ups.

Help for Diabetic Pets

Natural Remedies

Many pet owners are looking to natural remedies to assist in the treatment of their diabetic pets. There are a number of natural ingredients that have become well known for their abilities to restore balance when glucose levels become disrupted, as well as helping to prevent the long term complications often associated with diabetes.

Natural ingredients such as Chromium picolinate, Goat’s Rue, Trigonella foenum have been shown to be highly successful in helping maintain blood-sugar levels while reducing the risks of insulin resistance. In addition, certain herbs can be used to guard against some of the negative effects of diabetes. These include herbs such as Bilberry, which promotes eye health and Astragalus which works to increase vitality and strengthen the immune system.

Natural herbal and homeopathic remedies often reduce the amount of insulin diabetic pets need, and in some cases can help to regulate blood sugar levels in the absence of addition insulin treatment. Remember to always inform your veterinarian before changing your pet’s treatment plan so that your pet can be closely monitored.

More Information on Insulin

Tips for balancing glucose levels and insulin requirements