This is how insulin works

The hormone activates the absorption of glucose from the blood by the cells of the muscle, liver and fat tissues immediately after a carbohydrate meal . It also facilitates the storing of glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscle. Besides this, it prevents the use of fat for deriving energy.

This important hormone is released in the body in two phases. The first phase involves its rapid release in response to an increased level of glucose in the blood produced from the digestion of food. This high level of the secreted hormone in the body induces the cells of the liver and muscles to absorb glucose from the blood. It results in a reduction in the blood glucose level. With the decreased level of blood glucose, this hormone’s secretion also decreases. The second phase of the hormone release refers to the small amount of insulin continuously secreted by the beta cells, which is not dependent on the level of sugar. The body needs this small amount of the hormone, as the liver keeps on releasing the stored sugar even when we are not eating. This ensures a constant supply of energy.

In the absence of the hormone absorption of glucose is inadequate and the body switches to use fat as energy source. It breaks down the stored fats for energy production. In the process of fat breakdown ketones are produced which in the absence of glucose can be used for energy production. However the blood levels of glucose increase rapidly.

Researchers have now found that elevated levels of this hormone usually associated with diabetes is also connected with obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure which are the common diseases of today in the developed world. It is surprising that insulin could be the cause of such disabling and life threatening diseases.

What is the “best diet for insulin resistance”.

This must be the diet that can eliminate the resistance. There is a lot of evidence today that diseases associated with the resistance and  related to hyperinsulinemia can be treated with low carbs diet.

We recommend a diet with small amounts of low glycemic index carbohydrates. Low carbs diets have been applauded by many and criticized by others. These diets however have many advantages. These advantages are all associated with decrease in blood levels of the hormone and they include:

-Decreased triglycerides and other blood fats -Weight loss -Decreased blood insulin -Decrease in accumulation of fat around your waistline-belly fat -Decreased blood sugar for type 2 diabetes -Lower cholesterol -Increased HDL -Decreased blood pressure

Low carb diets reduces cholesterol rapidly without increasing the other risk factors, reverses or at least significantly improves adult type 2 diabetes, it drops blood pressure and offers long term solution to belly fat and excess weight gain.

Carbs stimulates the body’s synthesis and storage of fat. In attempting to reduce fat intake many people end up getting even fatter. Surprisingly fat doesn’t do as much harm as carbs. If you eat food with fat there are no hormonal changes. Fat is said to be metabolically inert. Eating carbohydrates causes an insulin surge in the same way we get an electric surge.

The hormone though often associated with diabetes affects virtually every cell in the body. Many volumes of books have been written about it. It regulates the amounts of blood sugar. It controls the storage of fat, directs the flow of amino acids, fatty acids, into the tissues. It also regulates the synthesis of cholesterol. it functions as a growth hormone, is involved in appetite control and drives the kidneys to retain fluid. It is absolutely essential to life.

If you are afflicted by all or one of the above mentioned diseases, controlling the hormonal surges could restore your health.

You can achieve this through a carbohydrate restricted diet with moderate fat and adequate protein that modulates the body’s metabolic hormones including insulin. Researchers have reported that a carbohydrate-restricted diet, relatively elevated in monounsaturated fatty acids and protein, was effective in reducing body weight, total body adiposity, blood pressure, and waist circumference in overweight/obese patients with metabolic syndrome

If you have high blood sugar in your blood you will need to take drastic steps to avoid drastic deterioration in your health . These include discussing with your doctor of your possible options. The options include taking certain prescription drugs and modifying your lifestyle and diet  or using natural health products long with changing your lifestyle and diet. For more information follow the link below.

References (1)Matthew R. Hayes, Carla K. Miller3, Jan S. Ulbrecht, Joanna L. Mauger, Lynn Parker-Klees, Melissa Davis Gutschall, Diane C. Mitchell, Helen Smiciklas-Wright and Mihai Covasa. A Carbohydrate-Restricted Diet Alters Gut Peptides and Adiposity Signals in Men and Women with Metabolic Syndrome1.American Society for Nutrition J. Nutr. 137:1944-1950, August 2007