Cortisol & insulin... clarify connection pls.

Big G · 11-28-2007, 09:23 AM

A work colleague of mine was asking me about cortisol this morning. He's trying to lose body fat. I told him to eat less and run more. However, while talking to him I realized I'm not exactly clear on the connection between cortisol & insulin.

I think I read recently that taking glucose pre-, during and post- workout can minimize cortisol production during workouts. I assumed that this is because cortisol release occurs when insulin levels are low. However, today I read (in wikipedia) that cortisol actually stimulates insulin release i.e. both cortisol & insulin levels are both high.

So... a few questions...

How do these two hormones work exactly? Also what can be done to minimize cortisol production during workouts?

Also, I know cortisol is catabolic and stimulates muscle breakdown and gluconeogenesis. But why would the body do thet instead of just raiding fat supplies for glucose; faster access to glucose maybe?

Gordo · 11-28-2007, 10:58 AM

Cortisol
insulin
It's less about being catabolic. Cortisol is better known as the fight or flight hormone. It's excess cortisol that's detrimental.

Minimize cortisol by not working out fasted and as Lee Haney used to say "Stimulate, don't Annihilate".

Witchblade · 11-28-2007, 04:26 PM

Adrenaline is the fight or flight hormone.

Your body will turn catabolic after/during each work-out. This is natural though, just don't let it get out of hand by, say, working out for two hours straight without nutrition. A lot of people are scared shitless by catabolism, but it's a perfectly natural process. In fact, your body needs to be catabolic to lose fat.

Insulin will combat catabolism by making your body store energy (fat and hopefully muscle). Insuline and cortisol are sort of each other's counterpart.

Your body doesn't use fat, because glucose and glycogen are easier to use (eg. your body can utilize them faster) so your body won't use fat, but glycogen supplies, during your high intensity work-out. You might burn fat during low intensity aerobic work.

I'm just throwing out info here, because you could write a small book about the questions you ask. :x Feel free to ask for clarifications.

**Prince** · 12-02-2007, 04:43 PM

Cortisol, Stress And Body Fat
Cortisol, The Enemy Hormone?
]Insulin The Anabolic Substance
Insulin Usage - Good or Bad?

Big G · 12-02-2007, 10:59 PM

Thx.

11-28-2007, 09:23 AM	#1
Big G Gettin' Diesel. Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cols,OH. It sucks. Posts: 1,214 Photos: 1	Cortisol & insulin... clarify connection pls. A work colleague of mine was asking me about cortisol this morning. He's trying to lose body fat. I told him to eat less and run more. However, while talking to him I realized I'm not exactly clear on the connection between cortisol & insulin. I think I read recently that taking glucose pre-, during and post- workout can minimize cortisol production during workouts. I assumed that this is because cortisol release occurs when insulin levels are low. However, today I read (in wikipedia) that cortisol actually stimulates insulin release i.e. both cortisol & insulin levels are both high. So... a few questions... How do these two hormones work exactly? Also what can be done to minimize cortisol production during workouts? Also, I know cortisol is catabolic and stimulates muscle breakdown and gluconeogenesis. But why would the body do thet instead of just raiding fat supplies for glucose; faster access to glucose maybe?
	Goal...... DL:500lb, Sqt:400lb, Bnch:300lb Current.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb Weight: 185lb (up 25lb), bf=15%ish Age:35 Training since 11/06 journal

11-28-2007, 10:58 AM	#2
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: O' Canada...stuck in the middle of you Posts: 1,049 Photos: 8	Cortisol insulin It's less about being catabolic. Cortisol is better known as the fight or flight hormone. It's excess cortisol that's detrimental. Minimize cortisol by not working out fasted and as Lee Haney used to say "Stimulate, don't Annihilate".
	"If you don't bend those legs and do those squats, you'll never reach your potential." Paul Anderson

11-28-2007, 04:26 PM	#3
Witchblade Succinct Elite Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Holland Posts: 4,476 Photos: 2	Adrenaline is the fight or flight hormone. Your body will turn catabolic after/during each work-out. This is natural though, just don't let it get out of hand by, say, working out for two hours straight without nutrition. A lot of people are scared shitless by catabolism, but it's a perfectly natural process. In fact, your body needs to be catabolic to lose fat. Insulin will combat catabolism by making your body store energy (fat and hopefully muscle). Insuline and cortisol are sort of each other's counterpart. Your body doesn't use fat, because glucose and glycogen are easier to use (eg. your body can utilize them faster) so your body won't use fat, but glycogen supplies, during your high intensity work-out. You might burn fat during low intensity aerobic work. I'm just throwing out info here, because you could write a small book about the questions you ask. :x Feel free to ask for clarifications.
	My Linkdump [LSFW] IM Official FAQ [WORK IN PROGRESS]

12-02-2007, 04:43 PM	#4
Prince the one & only Administrator Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 34,173 Blog Entries: 25 Photos: 322	some articles on the two: Cortisol, Stress And Body Fat Cortisol, The Enemy Hormone? ]Insulin The Anabolic Substance Insulin Usage - Good or Bad?
	SBMuscle.com - Discount Supplement Superstore AlltheWhey.com - Bulk Protein Powders CEM Products - Research Chemicals & Supplements MusclePharm - Complete Nutritional Arsenal BigBackGrips - If you lift weights you've got to try these grips! HumaneVoLabs - Foaming Transdermal Delivery System. FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS AT IRONMAGLABS!

12-02-2007, 10:59 PM	#5
Big G Gettin' Diesel. Elite Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cols,OH. It sucks. Posts: 1,214 Photos: 1	Thx.
	Goal...... DL:500lb, Sqt:400lb, Bnch:300lb Current.. DL:375lb, Sqt:335lb, Bnch:260lb Weight: 185lb (up 25lb), bf=15%ish Age:35 Training since 11/06 journal

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