Insulin
The most important stimulus that triggers insulin release and synthesis is glucose (sugar). As we age and gain weight, the ability of the cells to receive the insulin signal is disabled, resulting in higher and higher insulin production to achieve the same results. This is called Insulin resistance.
More insulin > more stress > more cortisol > more pre-diabetes and fat deposition in the middle abdomen. Insulin’s main function is to increase glucose transport into fat cells.
More insulin > more stress > more cortisol > more pre-diabetes and fat deposition in the middle abdomen. Insulin’s main function is to increase glucose transport into fat cells.
Cortisol
Cortisol is secreted in a normal daily rhythm, with the highest levels in the morning and the lowest at night.
Function of cortisol:
1. Promotes gluconeogenesis and thereby raises blood sugar and helps keep blood sugar levels normal between meals. (The fuel pump.)
2. Mobilizes fats for energy production.
3. Stimulates protein breakdown.
4. Helps the body handle stressors.
5. Anti-inflammatory.
High cortisol occurs during intense and prolonged stress. (Imbalanced cortisol rhythm usually precedes hypersecretion.)
Effects of over production of cortisol:
1. Causes Insulin resistance.
2. Inhibits function of T3.
3. Decreases immune function.
4. Causes visceral weight gain and obesity.
5. Decreases DHEA.
6. Promotes mineral loss from bone and osteoporosis.
Function of cortisol:
1. Promotes gluconeogenesis and thereby raises blood sugar and helps keep blood sugar levels normal between meals. (The fuel pump.)
2. Mobilizes fats for energy production.
3. Stimulates protein breakdown.
4. Helps the body handle stressors.
5. Anti-inflammatory.
High cortisol occurs during intense and prolonged stress. (Imbalanced cortisol rhythm usually precedes hypersecretion.)
Effects of over production of cortisol:
1. Causes Insulin resistance.
2. Inhibits function of T3.
3. Decreases immune function.
4. Causes visceral weight gain and obesity.
5. Decreases DHEA.
6. Promotes mineral loss from bone and osteoporosis.
Insulin Resistance
Excess insulin functions as a death hormone that devastates virtually every cell and organ in the body. Insulin overload increases the risk of heart disease, cancer, blindness, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and other age-related diseases. Insulin resistance is associated with development of abdominal obesity and health problems, such as atherosclerosis and impotence. Furthermore, Insulin resistance and obesity are risk factors for type II diabetes. Excess insulin, or high insulin, is predictive for type II diabetes. Decreasing excess insulin by enhancing insulin sensitivity and by improving the function pancreatic beta cells (the cells that produce insulin in the body), is crucial in the quest for longevity.
The best way to lower excess insulin is to lose weight. The relationship of fat to insulin is as follows: As fat accumulates, i.e., weight gain, it increases free fatty acids in the bloodstream, a process that promotes Insulin resistance. As cells lose their ability to respond to insulin efficiently, insulin levels rise. Insulin serves to shepherd glucose molecules from the bloodstream across cell membranes and into the cells, where the blood sugar molecules are then metabolized for energy. As Insulin resistance mounts, the body attempts to compensate by pumping out even higher amounts of insulin. Fat cells, (adipose tissue), release fatty acids and generate proteins and hormones that are associated with potentially deadly inflammation. As fat accumulates, especially in the abdominal area, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerances worsen. Left unchecked, this can lead to type II diabetes. The combination of Insulin resistance leading to high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, abdominal obesity, and high blood sugar glucose is known as metabolic syndrome, or previously known as syndrome x.
Let me explain what Insulin resistance is and how it acts. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin’s major function is to regulate blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Insulin helps to shuttle glucose molecules from the blood into the cells of the body. When blood sugar levels increase, insulin output increases. Insulin resistance means that insulin does not work optimally at its target tissue, such as muscle, fat, or liver tissue, to drive glucose into the cells. As the body attempts to overcompensate for poor insulin action by pumping out more insulin from the pancreas, insulin levels rise. Eventually, over time, the pancreas can burn out and no longer produce enough insulin to control blood sugar. When insulin levels are not sufficient to bring blood sugars levels down to the normal range, type II diabetes can result.
The myth of exercising more has drawbacks in itself. People seeking to improve fitness and lose weight, often exercise vigorously in the hope that exercise will boost their metabolic rate. While this may burn calories slightly more rapidly, it also accelerates the production of dangerous “free radicals”. Free radicals are the inciting force of inflammation, which is the inciting force for high cortisol, which in turn produces weight gain. With metabolic syndrome the individual can drop dead from a heart attack, become crippled by a catastrophic stroke, or may have their limbs amputated as a result of peripheral vascular disease. These are among the frightening consequences of vascular disease, which itself is the #1 killer of Americans.
Our bodies are like cars with a main fuel tank and a reserve tank. When one tank runs dry, the engine draws fuel from the reserve tank to meet its needs. Our bodies run in a similar fashion. Say, for instance, a person walks on a treadmill for 20-30 minutes. During this time they have burned off their main fuel, such as the sugar in their blood, liver and muscles. Once that fuel is depleted, their body then turns to fat, which is your reserve fuel tank for additional energy. A healthy liver functions to support in burning fat for energy.
The best way to lower excess insulin is to lose weight. The relationship of fat to insulin is as follows: As fat accumulates, i.e., weight gain, it increases free fatty acids in the bloodstream, a process that promotes Insulin resistance. As cells lose their ability to respond to insulin efficiently, insulin levels rise. Insulin serves to shepherd glucose molecules from the bloodstream across cell membranes and into the cells, where the blood sugar molecules are then metabolized for energy. As Insulin resistance mounts, the body attempts to compensate by pumping out even higher amounts of insulin. Fat cells, (adipose tissue), release fatty acids and generate proteins and hormones that are associated with potentially deadly inflammation. As fat accumulates, especially in the abdominal area, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerances worsen. Left unchecked, this can lead to type II diabetes. The combination of Insulin resistance leading to high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, abdominal obesity, and high blood sugar glucose is known as metabolic syndrome, or previously known as syndrome x.
Let me explain what Insulin resistance is and how it acts. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. Insulin’s major function is to regulate blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Insulin helps to shuttle glucose molecules from the blood into the cells of the body. When blood sugar levels increase, insulin output increases. Insulin resistance means that insulin does not work optimally at its target tissue, such as muscle, fat, or liver tissue, to drive glucose into the cells. As the body attempts to overcompensate for poor insulin action by pumping out more insulin from the pancreas, insulin levels rise. Eventually, over time, the pancreas can burn out and no longer produce enough insulin to control blood sugar. When insulin levels are not sufficient to bring blood sugars levels down to the normal range, type II diabetes can result.
The myth of exercising more has drawbacks in itself. People seeking to improve fitness and lose weight, often exercise vigorously in the hope that exercise will boost their metabolic rate. While this may burn calories slightly more rapidly, it also accelerates the production of dangerous “free radicals”. Free radicals are the inciting force of inflammation, which is the inciting force for high cortisol, which in turn produces weight gain. With metabolic syndrome the individual can drop dead from a heart attack, become crippled by a catastrophic stroke, or may have their limbs amputated as a result of peripheral vascular disease. These are among the frightening consequences of vascular disease, which itself is the #1 killer of Americans.
Our bodies are like cars with a main fuel tank and a reserve tank. When one tank runs dry, the engine draws fuel from the reserve tank to meet its needs. Our bodies run in a similar fashion. Say, for instance, a person walks on a treadmill for 20-30 minutes. During this time they have burned off their main fuel, such as the sugar in their blood, liver and muscles. Once that fuel is depleted, their body then turns to fat, which is your reserve fuel tank for additional energy. A healthy liver functions to support in burning fat for energy.
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