How Does Insulin Work?

How does insulin work?
Insulin has many functions in the body. However, due to our modern lifestyles we have many problems with insulin and that's where insulin resistance supplements and diets for insulin resistant people come in handy.

Insulin is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas and is considered to be a 'double-edged sword' when it comes to the effects it has in the body.

Insulin is a storage hormone and promotes the uptake of nutrients into cells.

Here's the answer to how does insulin work?

The production of insulin, if it occurs at the right time and in the correct amount may benefit the body enormously. However, if it is produced at the wrong time, in excessive amounts or on a continual basis it can have dire consequences. This explains how does insulin work to stop fat burning.

Nutrition probably has the greatest impact on insulin production compared to the other lifestyle factors. Insulin is stimulated by an increase in blood glucose, blood amino acids (to a lesser extent), the sweetness of food, caffeine and the size of a meal. The amount of insulin secreted is directly proportional to these factors.

The rate and amount of glucose entering the blood stream certainly has the greatest influence on insulin production compared to the other nutritional factors.

Long-term chronic carbohydrate consumption may lead to insulin resistance which is a symptom of Type-II diabetes and is characterised by a decrease in the uptake of nutrients by cells because the cell membranes are resistant to the action of insulin. If the rate of glucose entering the blood stream is slowed down by 'diluting' the carbohydrates with fat, fibre or protein or the type of carbohydrate is changed, ie. Using fructose instead of glucose or increasing the acidity of the meal by adding vinegar, then insulin production will be suppressed.

Fat itself can have both a positive or negative affect on insulin by affecting insulin sensitivity. Since the phospholipid membrane of all cells is made up of the fats consumed, the right fats (Omega-3s) can increase membrane fluidity (which reduces insulin resistance) and the wrong fats (Omega-6s, saturated fats and trans fatty acids) can increase membrane rigidity (which increases insulin resistance).

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Exercise, in general, has the effect of lowering insulin production through a number of mechanisms:

Increased alpha-adrenergic input to the beta cells via the sympathetic nervous system

Catecholamine suppression of insulin (catecholamine production increases with exercise)

Improvement of insulin sensitivity

However, if the volume of exercise is excessive, insulin sensitivity is reduced. This results from raised cortisol levels and at high levels cortisol impairs insulin function. Raised cortisol may also result from increased stress levels and lack of sleep.

Certain supplements are beneficial with respect to insulin and its action in the body. We have mentioned Omega-3s and their affect on cell membranes, but there are other supplements that can mimic the action of insulin or act as co-factors, which assist insulin in its function ( glucose disposal agents, GDAs). These are also known as insulin resistance supplements. The insulin mimickers and co-factors include:

Vanadium (vanadyl sulfate)

Chromium (chromium picolinate)

Selenium

Alpha lipoic acid

d-pintol

Corosolic acid

Gymnema Syvestre

4-hydroxyisoleucine (fenugreek seed extract)

In order to maximise the positive benefits of insulin and minimise the negative effects, it is ideal to only have insulin elevated immediately post-exercise or first thing in the morning. At all other times insulin should be keep as low as possible.

This can be achieved by following the diets for insulin resistant people, which means consuming small meals often, limiting high GI carbs, except in the morning or immediately post-exercise, consuming good fats and fibre with meals, moderating caffeine consumption, avoiding diet soft drinks, supplementing with Omega-3s, insulin resistance supplements and GDAs, moderating exercise volume (duration) and minimising stress.

This should answer the question how does insulin work? If you would like more detailed information about insulin and weight loss, read my book Look Good, Feel Great!

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