Understanding Insulin Use and Diet: Consistency is Key
Insulin Basics | ADA link: https://diabetes.org/health-wellness/medication/insulin-basics
TYPES OF INSULIN
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Types of Insulin – Diabetes Education Online
Insulins are categorized by differences in:
- Onset (how quickly they act)
- Peak (how long it takes to achieve maximum impact)
- Duration (how long they last before they wear off)
- Concentration (Insulins sold in the U.S. have a concentration of 100 units per ml or U100. In other countries, additional concentrations are available. Note: If you purchase insulin abroad, be sure it is U100.)
Fast acting insulin VS long acting insulin
See a table of insulin action below and a graphic illustration of onset of action, peak effect and duration of action of the different insulins.
Long Acting Glargine (Lantus)
Long-acting insulin:
- Is absorbed slowly, has a minimal peak effect, and a stable plateau effect that lasts most of the day
- Is used to control the blood sugar overnight, while fasting and between meals
Long acting insulin analogs (Insulin Glargine/Lantus) have an onset of insulin effect in 1 1/2-2 hours. The insulin effect plateaus over the next few hours and is followed by a relatively flat duration of action that lasts 12-24 (24 hours for insulin glargine).
Fast Acting Insulin (Lispro/humalog)
Fast-acting insulin:
- Is absorbed quickly from your fat tissue (subcutaneous) into the bloodstream
- Is used to control the blood sugar during meals and snacks and to correct high blood sugars
Rapid Acting Insulin Analogs — have an onset of action of 5 to 15 minutes, peak effect in 1 to 2 hours and duration of action that lasts 4-6 hours. With all doses, large and small, the onset of action and the time to peak effect is similar, The duration of insulin action is, however, affected by the dose – so a few units may last 4 hours or less, while 25 or 30 units may last 5 to 6 hours. As a general rule, assume that these insulins have duration of action of 4 hours.
Regular Insulin:
has an onset of action of 1/2 hour to 1 hour, peak effect in 2 to 4 hours, and duration of action of 6 to 8 hours. The larger the dose of regular the faster the onset of action, but the longer the time to peak effect and the longer the duration of the effect.
Intermediate-acting insulin:
- Is absorbed more slowly, and lasts longer
- Is used to control the blood sugar overnight, while fasting and between meals
Includes:
NPH Human Insulin which has an onset of insulin effect of 1 to 2 hours, a peak effect of 4 to 6 hours, and duration of action of more than 12 hours. Very small doses will have an earlier peak effect and shorter duration of action, while higher doses will have a longer time to peak effect and prolonged duration.
Pre-Mixed Insulin which is NPH pre-mixed with either regular human insulin or a rapid- acting insulin analog. The insulin action profile is a combination of the short and intermediate acting insulins.
DIET: Carbs, Nutrition and Diabetes
Link: https://dtc.ucsf.edu/living-with-diabetes/diet-and-nutrition/
Link: https://diabetes.org/food-nutrition/understanding-carbs