Insulin is a nutrient storage hormone, but we know it is more of a FAT storage hormone. It drives nutrients into a variety of cells; muscle cells, liver cells and fat cells. Insulin hormone attaches to an insulin receptor just like a key in a lock. And without a key, blood sugar (sugar glucose) cannot get into the cells. The scary part is high level of insulin locks fat inside fat cells therefore we cannot access it.
People who are pre-diabetic gradually build fat up in their cells. Brief explanation is they have insulin in their body; their pancreas makes it, it arrives at the cell surface, it attaches to the receptor no problem, but the buildup of fat STOPS it from working.
How do people become pre-diabetic? They eat carbs, as a physiological reaction blood sugar goes up. When blood sugar goes up, pancreas produces insulin to take the blood sugar out of the bloodstream and into the cell for energy. But what if your body does not need that much of energy? Bingo, it stores the extra sugar as glycogen in your small liver energy tank but you cannot fill up your tank twice, meaning the rest of sugar turns into triglycerides and stored as FAT. We say hi to obesity at this point. FAT is turning to storable fat in your blood as triglycerides, which raise your risk for heart disease.
We lose control over our hunger in time and become a slave of our cells meaning we eat more and more to maintain our blood sugar level. Correlation between diabetes and heart disease is that constant raise of blood sugar makes us produce a lot of insulin which leads to very low blood sugar levels and more sugar cravings. It is a vicious cycle. Then over time, insulin becomes less effective, and you end up with metabolic syndrome.
The path to health is when you're burning off all the daily sugar intake for energy so that you're not storing the energy as fat. The path to disease and diabetes and obesity is when you're taking in more than you can burn, you're converting those carbohydrates to fat, and then they're turning to storable fat and triglycerides in your blood therefore raising your risk for heart disease.
There are several other hormones that needs to be discussed when it comes to totality of human beings. Glucagon, ghrelin, and leptin which controls satiety and hunger, thyroid hormone which controls metabolic rate. There is growth hormone, estrogen, cortisol, testosterone, epinephrine, and so on and so forth. If you can get insulin under control, you are well on your way to becoming a fat burning beast. And you are well on your way to unburdening yourself of having to take in so much carbohydrate to maintain your glucose levels.
And as soon as we drain the fat out of the cell, just by some simple diet changes, exercise routine and good amount of sleep, suddenly the key starts working. The glucose can come into the cell, out of the blood. You don't need medicines anymore. Some call it a miracle. It's not a miracle. It is what healthy vegetables can for you every day!
What are some symptoms of Insulin Resistance?
Love Handles
Desire to snack all the time
Not feeling full even after meals
Feeling sleepy after meals
Carb binging
Shaky hands (hand tremors) - low blood sugar
Extreme thirst
Frequent urination
Hormone problems – PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)
Hormone problems – Facial Hair
Hormone problems – Acne
Hormone problems – Fertility issues
Hormone problems – Thyroid issues
Recurring vaginal infections
Sleeping issues
High triglycerides in blood work
High blood pressure
Darkened skin in the armpit or on the back or sides of the neck
Skin tags
Inability to lose weight
Feeling tired than usual
High Cholesterol
Blurred vision
Pain in arms and legs
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