19 July - Insulin was introduced to the public in 1923

 

On 19 July 1923, after two years of trials Insulin was introduced to the public.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels. Its discovery and subsequent development as a treatment for diabetes revolutionized the management of this condition.

Insulin was first discovered in 1921 by Sir Frederick Banting and his research team, which included Charles Best, John James Rickard Macleod, and James Collip. The discovery was a major breakthrough in medical science and earned Banting and Macleod the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1923.

Following the discovery, insulin was initially extracted from animal sources like pigs and cows. Over the years, advancements in biotechnology and genetic engineering have allowed the production of synthetic human insulin, which has become the standard treatment for diabetes.

Since the introduction of insulin to the public, it has saved countless lives and significantly improved the quality of life for people with diabetes. It is typically administered via injections or insulin pumps to help regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 diabetes and some cases of type 2 diabetes.