Oral Insulin as a New Horizon

Recently, a friend of a friend was talking to me about oral insulin and how it might be used in a person with type 1 diabetes mellitus. I wrote him a lengthy letter back and thought many of the comments were good to put here as well.

To start, I want to say that there are many opinions out there. What I think is just another opinion, but I also give information and answer questions with facts and references.


Oral insulin (insulin in a pill) is a target for several pharmaceutical companies focused on diabetes medication. Basically, insulin is a small protein that acts as a hormone to regulate sugar metabolism. Generally, diabetics that need insulin will take a shot (ouch!). Insulin doesn't come in a pill form because just like most proteins, the stomach acid breaks insulin down before it can get into the bloodstream to do its job. The idea behind oral insulin is that there may be a way to package insulin in a pill to protect from being destroyed and help save all those diabetics from having to take shots or wear insulin pumps. Will it work?

Oramed sure thinks so...