Why is insulin not orally administered to the patient?

Options

A. Insulin is a steroid
B. It is bitter in taste
C. Its activity increases after digestion
D. It will be digested in the stomach and will become non-functional

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Insulin**: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, specifically from the beta cells located in the islets of Langerhans. It plays a crucial role in regulating blood glucose levels.

2. **Function of Insulin**: The primary function of insulin is to decrease blood glucose levels. When there is a high concentration of glucose in the blood, insulin facilitates its uptake by cells, thus lowering blood sugar levels.

3. **Diabetes Mellitus**: A deficiency in insulin production can lead to diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. To manage this condition, insulin therapy is often required.

4. **Administration Routes**: Insulin is typically administered through methods such as intravenous injections, insulin pumps, or subcutaneous injections. These methods ensure that insulin enters the bloodstream effectively.

5. **Reason for Not Oral Administration**: If insulin were to be taken orally, it would pass through the digestive system (stomach and intestines) where it would encounter digestive juices and enzymes. These substances are designed to break down proteins, and since insulin is a protein hormone, it would be digested and rendered inactive before it could enter the bloodstream.

6. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the reason insulin is not administered orally is that it would be digested in the stomach and become non-functional, making it ineffective for treating diabetes.