Insulin – the hormone that makes you fat
What is insulin?
Insulin has received the most attention, and with good reason. This is a hormone that is produced by the beta cells of the pancreas, and travels throughout the bloodstream to every cell in the body. The most important role for insulin is its ability to help the body use blood sugar (glucose). Insulin binds to insulin receptors on cell membranes, just as a key would fit into its proper lock. Once the insulin key unlocks the door, glucose is able to move into the cell. Within the cell, the glucose molecules can be used as energy or stored for later, either as glycogen or fat.
Insulin is a Master Hormone
Insulin not only controls glucose metabolism. It is a Master Hormone, directing traffic in all areas of the body. Many metabolic and enzymatic pathways are turned on or off by insulin. Insulin is considered the fat storage hormone. It tells fat cells to take up fatty acids and store them for the long term. It also turns off the fat burning mechanisms used by the body.
Insulin → Body Makes and Stores Fat and → Turns Off Fat Burning
Insulin favors sugar-burning over fat-burning as an energy source. In fact, blood sugar (glucose) cannot get into the muscle, fat, or liver cells unless insulin is present to open the door. Insulin directs the liver to make fatty acids, triglycerides (a packet of fat molecules), and cholesterol. Insulin even affects the brain, triggering hunger and mood swings when glucose is low.
It is very difficult to burn fat when high levels of insulin are circulating in the bloodstream. In order to lose weight, it is important to control insulin.
High insulin levels lead to:
- Poor blood sugar control. Blood sugar can go up and down, leading to mood swings, fatigue, “brain fog”, and feelings of hunger.
- Hunger and an appetite that is often out of control
- Increased fat storage, especially in the belly and internal organs
- Decreased fat burning
- Increased cholesterol production, especially formation of high triglycerides and low HDL (the good cholesterol)
- High blood pressure
- Water retention, edema, and bloating
- Severe health problems including heart disease and cancer
- Infertility, acne, unwanted hair growth
- Mood disturbances and depression
- Increased stickiness of the blood which is more likely to form blood clots
- Increase in homocysteine, a compound that can lead to vascular disease
- Insulin resistance syndrome