Questions and answers – Insulin resistance
Why is insulin fattening?
High insulin and low carbohydrate – a good idea or not?
Carb-sensitive
PCO, insulin resistance and acanthosis nigrans
Why is insulin fattening?
The connection between insulin and obesity is not easy to understand. I understand that insulin resistance is supposed to mean that the insulin production is sufficient, but that the insulin doesn’t work, meaning that it is unable to transfer the blood sugar into the cells. This should mean that there is constantly too much sugar in the blood. But does this condition cause obesity? One would believe that this blood sugar can’t be transformed into fat as long as it is travelling around in the blood stream forever? Perhaps something happens eventually?
Answer:
As long as the pancreas manages to overproduce enough insulin to “defeat” the insulin resistance, the insulin will manage
to store blood sugar and fat in fat cells. It is not until the insulin resistance can’t be compensated with sufficient insulin production that there will be an excess
of sugar in the blood, which meant that one has developed diabetes. It is possible to have insulin resistance and manage to
overproduce insulin all your life without developing diabetes, while some develop diabetes eventually. In the meantime the
high insulin levels have caused fat storage and weight gain in addition to other damages that this hormone disorder does, for example high blood fat, hypertension,
heart disease, obesity, skin disorders, fertility problems, etc.
Best regards, Dr. Lindberg
High insulin and low carbohydrate – a good idea or not?
With a high insulin production, will I gain weight if I eat few rapid carbohydrates?
Answer:
If you stop eating rapid carbohydrates, you will no longer stimulate your insulin production. If you also avoid saturated
fats and take a daily 20-30 minute walk, you will normalize your insulin levels after a few weeks. Your body will get out
of storage mood and will be able to burn body fat normally. At the same time the slow carbohydrates will ensure a gradual
supply of energy, which the body will prefer to burn rather than store as fat.
Best regards, Dr. Lindberg.
Carb-sensitive
For someone who has been following your diet and avoided rapid carbohydrates for two months, could eating a boiled potato cause digestion to act up in such a way that they wake up at night feeling unwell and even have nightmares? Could it be that they have been intolerant to some foods without knowing (although there has been discomfort)? And that the diet accentuates the intolerance?
Answer:
If you avoid rapid carbohydrates for some time, you will be more sensitive to insulin and experience discomfort if you eat
rapid carbohydrates if you eat them again.
Best regards,
Dr. Lindberg
PCO, insulin resistance and acanthosis nigrans
I have PCO and insulin resistance. I am using Metformin 500mg and have started exercising. I also have acanthosis nigrans. Is this condition treatable? I have heard of tablets called Glutathione. Are these safe to take, and do they help against acanthosis nigrans? Do I need a prescription? Where I can I obtain it?
Answer:
Acanthosis nigrans are darkened areas of the skin especially where skin touches skin in armpits, under breasts, in the groin
and other folds, but also in the back of the neck. It is not a disease in itself, but it is a symptom of an underlying condition,
usually connected to insulin resistance, overweight, type 2 diabetes and PCO.
It is important to treat the underlying cause, which is insulin resistance. Weight loss through a low GI diet, exercise, stress
management and sufficient sleep is the most important treatment, followed by medication in the form of Metformin.
Other efforts to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin resistance can be a daily intake of cinnamon (1.5 grams),
either through food or as a supplement (available in health food shops). A US study showed very good effect of cinnamon on
insulin resistance and PCO (see the link below). Other natural remedies which can improve the effect of insulin are extract
of gymnema sylvestre, American ginseng (p. quinquefolius) and panax ginseng, as well as extract of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum).
An increased intake of garlic and onions will also be helpful. Insulin resistance is a condition that leads to increased oxidative
stress, which means that your body needs more antioxidants. The most important thing is to make sure you give your body all
the necessary building blocks to create its own antioxidants. One of the most important antioxidants that your body makes
itself, is glutathione. This production depends on the intake of sulfuric substances, mainly amino acids. It is possible to
take glutathione as a supplement, but it is expensive, and some say that it is not sufficiently absorbed. It is better and
cheaper to give the body what it needs to increase its own glutathione production. Food that contributes to this is asparagus
(naturally rich in glutathione), broccoli, spinach, avocado, raw eggs, garlic and pure meat. Another way to increase glutathione
is to take a supplement of N-acetyl-cystein (NAC), which is sold as bronchitis medication in Norway (Bronkyl, Mucomyst). The
body transforms NAC into glutathione. All doctors can give you a prescription for these. Pure glutathione is not sold in Norway.
You must either order it online from an EEA country or get a special prescription, but as I said, it is probably not worth
it to take glutathione as a supplement. Other herbs and supplements which can increase the body’s gluthatione levels are milk
thistle, alpha lipon acid, curcumin (a spice that can also be taken as a supplement), and last, but not least, selenium. You
find selenium in Brazil nuts (2 per day are sufficient), fish, shellfish and meat. Your doctor can measure your selenium levels,
which should be in the upper normal range. Selenium can also be taken as a supplement, 100-200 mcg per day.
It could be a good idea to have blood tests done to examine the need for special nurtients including antioxidants, vitamins,
minerals and fats more in detail.
For more information, see the following links:
http://dermnetnz.org/systemic/acanthosis-nigricans.html;
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/acanthosis-nigricans/DS00653/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs;
http://www.pcoscoach.com/Herbs_for_pcos_cinnamon.html
