The action of both naturally produced and replacement insulin is the same (although with different strengths and time courses).

Insulin acts to reduce blood glucose levels by signalling to cells to take up glucose from the bloodstream, by switching on storage of excess glucose as glycogen, and by switching of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis. In people with type 2 diabetes who have insulin resistance (lack of response to insulin), a range of different lifestyle changes and medications are used to improve insulin sensitivity. These include using insulin sensitising drugs and losing weight (see Seema case study).

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