Insulin Resources
Insulin is a hormone involved in the metabolic processes that convert the food we eat into the fuel our bodies need to survive. As the master fuel-supply hormone, insulin’s main functions are to regulate the amount of blood sugar (glucose) that flows into the body’s cells to create energy, and to communicate the need to refuel.
INSULIN
Excess insulin puts the body into fat-making mode, but people who are not obese may develop insulin resistance by consuming a high-carb diet.
BLOOD SUGAR AND THE AGING BRAIN
High normal-fasting blood sugar levels may be associated with brain wasting, particularly in areas relevant to aging.
DIABETES
Insulin regulates conversion of sugars and starches in the bloodstream into glucose, and is required to converting what we eat and drink into fuel for our bodies.
DIABETES AND OSTEOPOROSIS
An increase in osteopenia and bone fracture risk, coupled with decreased bone mineral density, is well-documented in diabetics with little or no insulin production.
DIABETES AND TESTOSTERONE
Insulin-dependent diabetic women with no menstrual cycle were found to have lower levels of testosterone than cycling diabetic and non-diabetic women.
HOW DIETARY FAT BENEFITS HORMONES
Low-fat dieting creates system imbalances within the body by initially increasing insulin levels, in turn causing a cascade of hormone imbalances.
PCOS AND HORMONES
PCOS patients commonly suffer from insulin resistance, where the body is not sensitive to insulin spikes after the consumption of food.
POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME
One theory as to the underlying cause of PCOS insulin resistance may set off a chain reaction that throws the hormones out of balance.
PREMATURE BALDING IN MEN
Insulin resistance causes cells to have trouble absorbing glucose, causing sugar to buildup in the blood. High insulin levels may contribute to early onset balding.
PROGESTERONE IS KEY TO STABILIZING INSULIN LEVELS
Dr Michael E. Platt believes that the primary cause of high insulin is declining progesterone, a hormone predominantly involved in controlling and stabilizing insulin.
