Insulin Facts

A friend said to me “It can’t be all about the insulin!” Admittedly. she’s right because there is a balance (homeostasis) the body likes to keep. and other hormones play a part.  Insulin however, takes the limelight when talking about metabolic diseases. Last week I stated that insulin is a hormone that, in part, regulates the glucose in your blood.  When insulin is present, it allows the cells to uptake glucose, converts and stores energy to fat (triglycerides and adipose), and prevents the body from utilizing fats as energy.  If we continue to eat high amounts of carbohydrates, our body never switches over to burn the stored fats.  Read that again and let it sit on your brain.

Over time, insulin begins to accumulate in our body. High levels cause inflammation and damage to organs to the point where our body begins to resists its affects.  At this point, we begin to see diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes (type 2), PCOS, Low-T, and some cancers.   Later in life. and it’s getting earlier, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia develop.

The good news is you can decrease the amount of insulin accumulated in your body by consuming fewer carbohydrates.  By omitting sugar, grains and starchy veggies, you give your metabolism a change to tap into those fat stores. The opposing hormone to insulin is glucagon.  It get secreted only when insulin levels are low, and allows utilization of stored fats as energy.  How cool is that? 

Now, I know some of you are saying “but our body and brain need glucose”.  While glucagon is present, encouraging fat metabolism, it is also ignites the liver to produce glucose (gluconeogenesis). Yes, our body does produce its own glucose from fats and protein (not muscle).  

OK, I think that is enough lesson for this week.  But if you just can’t wait for next week’s blog just contact me at Start Well Stay Well