The pancreas is a small gland, located just below and behind the stomach. The islets of Langerhands within the gland contain beta cells, which secrete insulin. The islets make up only about one percent of the pancreas.

The beta cells are amazing! A normal pancreas has about 100,000 islets of Langerhands, and each islet has from 80 to 100 beta cells. These cells can measure the blood glucose every 10 seconds to within a range of 2 milligrams percent. (That's brilliant, faster than any labortory!) Within a minute to a minute and a half, the beta cells can deliver the exact amount of insulin needed to keep blood glucose levels normal.

When diabetes is not present, it's almost impossible to raise the blood glucose level too high. The insulin supply is almost inexhaustible.

The pancreas has several other functions, including producing certain enzymes needed for digestion. In addition, the pancreas contains alpha cells, which make a substance called glucagon. Glucagon seems to balance out the effects of insulin and helps keep blood glucose levels normal. Delta cells are also found in the pancreas. These cells make yet another substance, called somatostain, which appears to carry messages between insulin and glucagon.