w8lifter
Elite Member
Insulin, the Super Hormone
Ever wonder why insulin is so important? What does it have to do with the benefits of a low-carb diet? What causes insulin resistance? Read this article to find out more.
Insulin is an incredible and powerful hormone. Produced by the pancreas, it regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates in our bodies. In fact, insulin is itself a protein and was deciphered in 1955 by Frederick Sanger, a British biochemist.
Insulin is essential to life. For this reason, we must do everything we can not to overwork our pancreas, which regulates insulin. A healthy diet is the first start. Choosing foods that do not cause sudden surges in blood sugar help to protect our pancreas and the way our bodies use insulin.
Our bodies work hard to metabolize the food we eat. When we eat carbohydrates, our bodies convert those carbs into glucose. That glucose causes our pancreas to shoot insulin into the blood stream. Insulin???s job is to clean up the extra glucose. A good way to picture this is to think of the insulin with a big broom, sweeping the glucose into the fat cells. It is there that our excess food is stored. Normally, this is a good thing. The problem begins when our bodies have more glucose than can be used or burned up, not just on occasion, but repeatedly.
Continuously choosing the wrong carbohydrates (or excessively large amounts of carbohydrates over time) causes repeated and sudden surges in the glucose, too much for the body to burn up all at once. Because of these surges, the pancreas must produce more and more insulin to bring down the glucose, causing the body to become "resistant" to the insulin. And, the higher the insulin, the more fat gets shoved into our fat cells for storage. There's no other place for it to go. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance syndrome.
A number of experts have written about insulin resistance and health problems that can result from the syndrome ??? obesity, higher triglycerides, hormone imbalance, elevated blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, fatigue, and diabetes, to name a few. It is a real concern in our society today as we see these lifestyle-related illnesses on the rise.
Often, these problems can be avoided or improved with a diet rich in protein and healthy fats, using only carbohydrates that are lower in glycemic value. That is, carbohydrates which digest more slowly and do not cause sudden surges in insulin. Here are just a few suggestions to help.
Choose carbohydrates that are the least processed ??? nature???s packaging is usually best and provides nutrients that are removed when the foods are processed.
Eat whole grain products without added sugar.
Skip the white rice, white potatoes and corn.
Reduce or dilute fruit juices, especially from tropical fruits, and eat the whole fruit, but in moderation. Temperate fruits like apples and pears are a wiser choice.
Never over-eat. Stop when you are no longer hungry. You really do not have to clean your plate (leftovers are "good things").
Do eat high protein foods: meats, soy products, nuts, eggs and cheese.
Look for products higher in fiber or with added fiber.
Ever wonder why insulin is so important? What does it have to do with the benefits of a low-carb diet? What causes insulin resistance? Read this article to find out more.
Insulin is an incredible and powerful hormone. Produced by the pancreas, it regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates in our bodies. In fact, insulin is itself a protein and was deciphered in 1955 by Frederick Sanger, a British biochemist.
Insulin is essential to life. For this reason, we must do everything we can not to overwork our pancreas, which regulates insulin. A healthy diet is the first start. Choosing foods that do not cause sudden surges in blood sugar help to protect our pancreas and the way our bodies use insulin.
Our bodies work hard to metabolize the food we eat. When we eat carbohydrates, our bodies convert those carbs into glucose. That glucose causes our pancreas to shoot insulin into the blood stream. Insulin???s job is to clean up the extra glucose. A good way to picture this is to think of the insulin with a big broom, sweeping the glucose into the fat cells. It is there that our excess food is stored. Normally, this is a good thing. The problem begins when our bodies have more glucose than can be used or burned up, not just on occasion, but repeatedly.
Continuously choosing the wrong carbohydrates (or excessively large amounts of carbohydrates over time) causes repeated and sudden surges in the glucose, too much for the body to burn up all at once. Because of these surges, the pancreas must produce more and more insulin to bring down the glucose, causing the body to become "resistant" to the insulin. And, the higher the insulin, the more fat gets shoved into our fat cells for storage. There's no other place for it to go. Over time, this can lead to insulin resistance syndrome.
A number of experts have written about insulin resistance and health problems that can result from the syndrome ??? obesity, higher triglycerides, hormone imbalance, elevated blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol, fatigue, and diabetes, to name a few. It is a real concern in our society today as we see these lifestyle-related illnesses on the rise.
Often, these problems can be avoided or improved with a diet rich in protein and healthy fats, using only carbohydrates that are lower in glycemic value. That is, carbohydrates which digest more slowly and do not cause sudden surges in insulin. Here are just a few suggestions to help.
Choose carbohydrates that are the least processed ??? nature???s packaging is usually best and provides nutrients that are removed when the foods are processed.
Eat whole grain products without added sugar.
Skip the white rice, white potatoes and corn.
Reduce or dilute fruit juices, especially from tropical fruits, and eat the whole fruit, but in moderation. Temperate fruits like apples and pears are a wiser choice.
Never over-eat. Stop when you are no longer hungry. You really do not have to clean your plate (leftovers are "good things").
Do eat high protein foods: meats, soy products, nuts, eggs and cheese.
Look for products higher in fiber or with added fiber.
What's that? 
