Quote:
Originally posted by LeafofDeath:
Here's a quick rundown on insulin:
I. It's a storage hormone that is very anabolic. It helps build muscle, but it also helps store fat.
II. When your blood sugar spikes (from food or whatever), insulin is released to combat this spike and bring it back down to normal levels.
III. Some people are extremely insulin sensitive, which means it takes very little amounts of insulin to get the job done. This is a good thing. Exercise and good dietary practices will help you become more insulin sensitive. These people are able to eat more carbs and still stay lean.
IV. Adam's diet and Berardi's concepts are geared at keeping blood sugar levels low and consistent 90% of the day (and hence, keeping insulin levels low all day) except during the post-workout window... when insulin is less likely to be storing fat and more likely to be storing useful things like muscle glycogen.
For all intents and purposes, insulin is not an issue if we follow a diet that contains little to no processed carbs.
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Good stuff leaf. I'll add on a few more facts...
-when we eat carbs, they asre eventually converted into glucose by the body. we use glucose or energy. having said that, when carbs are digested, they signal the body(specifilly your pancreas) to release insulin.
-for us fitness minded people, insulin has two main fuctions to keep in mind. it is a hormone that can promote muscle gain, but it also can promote fat storage. eating carbs at the right time of day(like leaf mentioned) can help one take advantage of both of insulins functions.