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Insulin molecule, illustration. Insulin is a protein hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It does this by promoting the uptake of glucose from the blood by liver cells, skeletal muscle cells and fat cells. Disruption of insulin function can lead to diabetes. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/MEDICAL GRAPHICS/MICHAEL HOFFMANN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY)