Beta cells are specialized cells located in the pancreas. Their main job is to produce insulin — the hormone that helps your body move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells to be used as energy. Here's how beta cells connect to diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: The immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys Show Full Answer
Beta cells are specialized cells located in the pancreas. Their main job is to produce insulin — the hormone that helps your body move glucose (sugar) from your bloodstream into your cells to be used as energy. Here's how beta cells connect to diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes: The immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys beta cells. Once more than 80% are gone, the body can no longer produce insulin, making blood sugar very hard to control.
- Type 2 diabetes: Beta cells still work, but over time the body's cells become resistant to insulin. The pancreas tries to compensate by producing more, but eventually beta cell function can decline.
Beta cells also contain a chemical called GABA, which may help them grow and survive. Research into how GABA supports beta cell health is ongoing, though it's still early days.
Keeping blood sugar well-managed helps reduce stress on beta cells over time — which is why consistent diabetes management matters so much.
5 days ago
That’s interesting information from the Diabetes Team!
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3 days ago
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