HIGH INSULIN, High Sugar

These can lead to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

High insulin symptoms include weight gain, especially in the abdomen, sugar cravings, fatigue, high blood pressure, joint pain, other pain syndromes, high triglycerides, and gout. It is very possible, however, to have high insulin and have none of the above symptoms.

High Insulin, one of the most profound and pervasive health issues, is rarely discussed by doctors or the media. We hear a great deal about the obesity epidemic, but it’s insulin dysregulation, also known as metabolic syndrome, that is behind it. Long before you develop high blood sugar (pre-diabetes or diabetes) your insulin goes up to try to keep the sugar in the normal range. The problem is that the high blood insulin level is inflammatory. The high insulin stimulates the chemistry in our body that makes pro inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. Not only does it cause our bodies to hurt and to hold on to weight, but more importantly, this inflammation at a cellular level is a major driver in the development of all the major diseases of the modern world: heart disease, cancer, arthritis autoimmune diseases and dementia. Inflammation contributes to the onset of these diseases and inflammation also speeds their progression.

Eventually, in some people, the increasing insulin level can no longer control the blood sugar and the individual develops diabetes. Long before you have full-on diabetes, the increased sugar levels and the high insulin can lead to some “silent problems” like hypertension, higher LDL cholesterol levels, and higher triglycerides; and some not so silent problems like joint pain, headaches, muscle aches, and weight gain, especially in the belly..

Excess abdominal fat is associated with an increase risk to cancer and heart disease. After the blood sugar reaches the very high levels found in diabetes it can do further damage to the arteries and organs of our bodies.

To avoid or reverse this, cut out sugar, white flour, refined carbohydrates, and cut out  grains, except in small quantities. Eat plenty of protein, healthy fats, lots of green vegetables, and get plenty of exercise.

Exercise is of major importance in lowering insulin. Find a form of exercise you like and do it daily for at least 30 minutes, or every other day for 60 minutes. Ideally include some aerobics and some weight training. If you have not exercised in a long time it is best to hire a trainer to get you started. Take up dancing, roller skating, biking, hiking, rowing or the trampoline. If you have not exercised in a while check with your doctor and  start slowly with 10 or 15 minutes per day and work up gradually to 30 to 60 minutes per day. Please realize you will be unlikely to lose weight unless you also change what you eat. Within weeks you will be increasing your muscle mass, decreasing your body fat, changing your shape, and most importantly, lowering your insulin levels, your average blood sugar levels, your inflammatory cytokine levels, and therefore lowering your risk of all the  diseases of the modern world.

Supplements that help control blood sugar:

• Chromium, vanadium,
•  Gymnema sylvestre, cinnamon, fenugreek
•  R lipoic acid