Which information is true regarding insulin's role in diabetes management?

Insulin plays a critical role in the management of diabetes, particularly in the context of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. For individuals with Type 1 diabetes, insulin is essential because their bodies cannot produce this hormone due to autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Without insulin, individuals with Type 1 diabetes cannot regulate their blood glucose levels, leading to potentially life-threatening complications.

In Type 2 diabetes, insulin therapy may not be immediately necessary for all patients because their bodies can often produce insulin, albeit ineffectively. However, as the disease progresses, many individuals with Type 2 diabetes may require insulin to maintain proper blood glucose control, especially if oral medications and lifestyle modifications are insufficient. Thus, it is accurate to say that insulin is required for Type 1 diabetes and that it is sometimes utilized in managing Type 2 diabetes when other interventions are inadequate.

Understanding this distinction helps clarify insulin's importance across different types of diabetes and reinforces how diabetes management can vary significantly depending on the type and individual patient circumstances.