How Much Insulin Is Too Much?

I want to help diabetics understand that the problem with their bodies is that they can not use carbohydrates like a non-diabetic.  Also, to understand that in most cases it is not a lack of insulin that is causing them problems, rather it is excessive insulin.  Hyperinsulinemia is a fancy $50 word for more insulin than the body needs or can ever use. 

Before:  Mary and Dick 2002 

After reading Dr. Bernstein's book, "Diabetes Solution" and Gary Taubes books, "Good Calories, Bad Calories" and "Why We Get Fat" and learning from a number of other low carb doctors that excessive insulin is the root cause of so many of the debilitating affects of diabetes, I cringe every time I see an article that encourages diabetics to simply use more insulin to cover the carbs they are eating.  UGH!

Insulin is one of,  if not thee, strongest hormones in the body.  Insulin reacts to and only to carbohydrates.  Insulin does have a minor reaction to protein however, the insulin response is significantly less making protein's impact nominal.

Insulin's main job is to rid the body of glucose primarily by getting it into the cells to be used for energy.  Failing that, it must find a place to store the glucose somewhere outside of the bloodstream. The other glucose storage areas will be discussed in a coming blog.

Blood cells have what could best be described as "doors."  These doors called receptors lay flat against the cells exterior walls.  These receptors are the gatekeepers for the cells.  

Insulin takes it's job very seriously.  The moment you eat carbohydrates, insulin goes into action.  It initially knocks on the doors/receptors of the cells to prod and activate those receptors to open.  Ideally, when insulin comes knocking,  the receptor doors open and allow the much needed glucose to enter.   Glucose brings vital energy to the cells enabling them to function properly.

However, the cells only require a tiny amount of glucose.  As in life, cells can get too much of a good thing.  When you consistently eat more carbohydrates than your body requires, you continue to flood those cells and their receptors with insulin.  This rampant flow of insulin is constantly "knocking" on the receptors of your cells trying to get them to open.

Cells need the glucose that insulin brings.  They are in many cases starved for glucose.   But, because of the continuous "flood" of insulin they have become...wait for it...insulin resistant.   Insulin resistant is a term most type 2 diabetics hear from their doctors but haven't a clue as to what it means.  Now you know.

The end result of this dance between excessive carbohydrates and insulin is that you are an insulin resistant type 2 diabetic.

Simply put, excessive insulin is like the boy who cried wolf -- the receptors on the cells, is like the people in the boy's village.  The receptors/villagers just stop believing that there is a glucose / wolf at the door.  They refuse to open.  

You "love carbs" because you have become addicted to them.  The same center in the brain that causes addiction to cocaine and other drugs, reacts to carbohydrates in the same manner.  The exception here is that the addiction to carbs is actually stronger than the addiction to narcotic drugs.

After:  Mary and Dick 2004

Carbohydrates act like a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI's). Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that makes you feel good, very, very good.  Carbs give you that good feeling, that high that you are looking for, that high that you crave in that moment.  Often within a short time after eating those carbs, your high diminishes and you are left with the urge to find more of that "stuff" that will make you feel good again.  You are addicted to carbs!

In 2002, my husband, (who, at that time, had been suffering with type 2 diabetes for over 20 years) was on 43 units of insulin, had severe, painful neuropathy in both his feet that limited his ability to walk more than 75 feet at one time because of the pain.  He was on Neurotin for over 15 years for the pain from the neuropathy.  His weight ballooned to 280 pounds (he's 5' 9").  And this is the short version of his story.  He was miserable.  

9:15 A.M. at Disney World 2012

Through much research and study including Dr. Bernstein's and Gary Taubes books,  we developed a program for him that we call "How We Beat Diabetes."  Within 3 months on our program, he came off the insulin completely and has never gone back.  He lost 80 pounds within the first 9 months and has since lost another 20 making the total weight loss 100 pounds.  Neuropathy is gone. He's walked in 2 5K races and finished.

We were in Disney World this summer and he walked the park from 8:30 a.m. until 11:45 p.m. with only a 2 hour break in the afternoon to refresh.

His energy levels which were near zero are now seemingly unlimited.  He's like the energizer bunny!  And we are now going on over 10 years of the low carb way of life.

While everyone is different in many respects, human physiology is the same. Physiologically, beta cells job is to produce insulin.  

11:45 P.M Dick and Mary Ann (cousin) getting off Monorail

The beta cells of the pancreas respond to carbohydrates and ONLY to carbohydrates.  Excess carbohydrates in, excess insulin out. 

Excess insulin results in inflammation, weight gain, insulin resistance and more.  Balance your carbohydrate intake with your insulin output and watch the amazing results.

I am no doctor, I am not a nutritionist, nor do I hold any medical license.  I am sharing what I have learned from reading and the study of how I could help my husband.  I am sharing with you what we've learned and experienced in these past 10 years. 

 You ALWAYS need to check with your physician before making any changes to your diet or exercise.  Your physician is the only person who is qualified to guide you in the management of your diabetes.  

That said, however, you need to take responsibility for your own health.  You need to become an empowered patient.  An empowered patient is one who is fully knowledgable about their health condition and becomes a proactive partner with their physician in their own healthcare.

Question everything your doctor tells you.  Why do I need this medication?  What are the side affects that I should know about?  When and how can I come off of this medication?  If I have not had a heart attack and I don't have a heart condition, then why am I on statin medication?  

Then go home and check the "magic box" AKA your computer.  Find out about your meds from reliable sources.  Call your pharmacist and question her about the medication you are taking.  It's your health for goodness sake!  Why wouldn't you exercise a proactive attitude about protecting it?

Our program How We Beat Diabetes has helped so many people because we share with them what happened to us.  It is almost always directly the opposite of what they are currently doing.  It is so gratifying to see lightbulbs go off as people begin to really understand diabetes and embrace the fact that they are responsible for their healthcare.

And for those who might ask; my husband is 73 years old.  We will be celebrating our 52nd Wedding Anniversary in October, 2012.  Whooo Hooo!

Oh yes, and he's out of the house right now, playing golf!  :D

CNN crawl: Obesity worldwide has double in the last 30 years!

Obesity has doubled in the last 30 years.  That according to a crawl I just saw on CNN.  Then they reported that a new study suggests that if you feed your baby solid foods early in life, your child will be more likely to be obese as toddlers. 

Now if you think about this logically - that news can't be happening.  It can't happen because for over 30 years we've been told that fat makes us fat.  For over 30 years, we have had low fat products of every type and description.  For over 30 years, we've been told to not eat eggs, meat, cheese, or butter -- too much fat in those foods.

Why then should we have, at all, an obesity problem in this country and in the world?  Do you really want the answer to that question or do you want to be "fed" more hype and traditional cultural thinking?  If you answered that you really want to know why we have an obesity problem then either get on Amazon.com or go to your nearest bookstore or library and pick up a copy of the New York Times bestseller:  Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It.  Written by the award winning scientific writer, Gary Taubes, this book spells it out for you in clear and understandable language. 

Good lord, when will all this hype and ridiculous false low fat information stop!  What is making the world fat is the SUGAR!  Call it carbs, carbohydrates, starch, whole grain, grain, high fructose corn syrup, fructose, lactose; whatever name you give it all turns to glucose AKA SUGAR in the body...it all requires a response of insulin from the pancreas.  

Insulin is the strongest, most important hormone in the body.  Insulin is responsible for storage of glucose.  Insulin takes it's job very seriously.  The moment "sugar" enters a person's mouth and contacts with saliva, the beta cells of the pancreas go to work.  They respond immediately sending corresponding amounts of insulin to disperse and cleanse the blood of glucose.  The body hates glucose.  It needs it but it reacts to use or rid itself of it as soon as it is detected.

Insulin bathes every one of the billions of cells in our bodies.  This powerful hormone bombards our cells urging cell receptors to open and accept the glucose they need for energy. 

In a non-diabetic, the cell receptors easily respond to the insulin.  Those receptors open, the proper amount of glucose is accepted into the cells.  The blood is cleansed of the glucose and the cells have fuel required for energy.  The insulin levels subside.

In a type 2 diabetic, insulin responds and bathes the cells but the receptors do not open.  Even though they absolutely need the glucose that is being provided, the receptors refuse to open.  This is commonly called "insulin resistance." 

Insulin MUST take the glucose somewhere.  As we said,  the body hates glucose, so insulin moves the glucose to the fat cells.  Typically the glucose is deposited in the fat cells located in the abdominal region of the body. 

The fat cells like the well known little "Mikey" of the old cereal commercials will eat anything!  They will never turn away the glucose.  They accept it and they hold onto it and grow...fatter and fatter.

Exploring Diabetes Myths - How Many Carbs Should You Eat Daily?

There are so many myths about diabetes it's almost difficult to know where to begin.  Let's start with the number of carbohydrates you "need" to eat in a day.  Keep in mind that 15 grams of carbohydrates equal 1 carb.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), you should eat 45 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per meal!  Given the formula that 15 grams of carbohdrates equals 1 carb and looking at the recommendation of the ADA, they want you to eat 3 or 4 carbs at EVERY meal!  Ah, 3 meals a day at 3 to 4 carbs per meal means that you would be eating approximately 12 carbs per day!  And that is just for meals.  The ADA also suggests you have carbs for snacks.

The ADA's reason for suggesting that you eat that many (and more) carbs per day?  It's so that you can cover the amount of insulin you're taking.  They create a vicious circle and you are caught right in the middle of it.  It keeps you tied to insulin.  It keeps you from becoming healthy.  It keeps you a diabetic.  It continues to degrade your body.

Taking insulin or oral medication keeps your body alive.  You must follow your doctor's orders and take your medication including insulin.

Taking medication including insulin does not keep your body from deteriorating.  It does not keep your body from suffering the horrible effects of diabetes.  It does not enable you to have any control over what is happening with your body.  The pharmaceutical companies and the ADA now own you!

Debunking that myth is very important. 

The number of carbohydrates you need in any given day depends on your lifestyle.   If you are a laborer who performs physically demanding work 8 hours a day, your carbohydrate needs will be completely different from a person who sits behind a desk for 8 hours a day.  You need to find out what level of carbohydrates work for your body.

A laborer may need to eat upwards of 15 or more carbs a day.  An office worker may need to eat only 3 or 4 carbs a day.

The only way to determine how many carbs you need per day is by following the 4 step plan:
1.  Count the number of carbs (15 grams of carbohydrates equal 1 carb) you are currently eating daily.
2.  Test your blood sugar  each morning before breakfast and an hour after each meal
3.  Check your weight each morning (in the nude - after the bathroom)
4.  Adjust your carb intake according to your blood glucose levels and your weight.

If your fasting blood glucose levels are stable at normal or near normal levels of 85 to 90 you're eating the right number of carbs.  If you are losing weight, you are eating the right number of carbs for weight loss -- this number would be adjusted up once you reach your goal/healthy weight.

Eating a controlled number of carbohydrates each day will significantly reduce the need for insulin and other medication.  

When my husband reduced his carb intake down to 4 to 6 carbs a day, he was, with his doctor's permission, able to gradually reduce his insulin.  He was on 43 units of insulin a night!  Within 2 months he was completely off of insulin.  That was 7 years ago!  He has not had insulin in all that time.  His fasting blood glucose levels went from 300, 270, 185, etc. to 90, 95, 102, etc. 

He also lost 80 pounds within 9 months!  This is a man who could not lose weight, who's physicians told him they had no choice but to put him on insulin injections, who had neuropathy in both his feet for over 10 years and had pain levels of 10.  After controlling his carbs, he not only went off of insulin and other meds but the neuropathy in his feet went from a pain level of 10 to a pain level of <1.


IMPORTANT

REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CARBS YOU EAT DAILY WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT YOUR BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS DEPENDING ON THE AMOUNT OF INSULIN YOU ARE TAKING.  IF YOU CONTINUE TO TAKE THE SAME AMOUNT OF INSULIN WHILE REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CARBS, YOU CAN CREATE A CONDITION OF HYPOGLYCEMIA OR LOW BLOOD SUGAR.  THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS CONDITION.  YOU NEED TO CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE REDUCING YOUR CARB INTAKE OR MAKING ANY CHANGES TO YOUR LIFESTYLE.

The information on this blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice or services. It is based on our experience of over 25 years of type 2 diabetes.  This blog is intended as a wake up call.  It should be used only for education and information and as a basis for discussion with a doctor.  The information here is for patients to read and become more informed about type 2 diabetes.  Always consult with a doctor before making any changes to  medication or lifestyle.

Read more on our web site:  http://www.liveabetterlife.org