Here's My Answer to a Great Question On Insulin Resistance.

Hi Jim

I have heard that the body can repair itself by creating new cells etc.

Is the same true for insulin resistant cells ? Can they be fixed or even better, automatically be replaced by NEW non-insulin resistant cells ?
regards

JayCee

My answer;

Hi JayCee!

In insulin resistance, there is an increase in the amount of insulin circulating in the blood. Due to the increase of insulin in the bloodstream when the insulin gets to the level of the cell, there is a down regulation of the insulin receptors. All this means is that since the cell is seeing alot more insulin than it should the cell says to itself-"Hey, I don't need all these receptors cause I got alot of insulin around me" so the cell starts decreasing the amount of receptors.

If the insulin levels remain high, and it will if the person continues to consume carbohydrates, there will be such a dramatic decrease in insulin receptors, that the body will then see a rise in circulating sugar. It is at this point, with the rise of blood sugar due to extracellular insulin receptor downregulation, that the person now becomes a type 2 diabetic.

This process is completely reversible in most people. How, by just starting them self on a low carb regimen. I see this in clinical practice all the time. The current thought is that one needs to be obese to be insulin resistant. This is not true. It is insulin resistance which occurs first, then one has the propensity to become over weight.

In fact, elevated triglycerides are due to insulin resistance at the level of the adipocyte (or fat cell). Normally, an adipocyte in the presence of insulin will increase its storage of triglycerides. But if the adipocyte is resistant to insulin, this cannot occur and the cell will start to breakdown triglycerides and this will cause a rise in the fat level in the blood.

Yes, cells have a lifespan, so the insulin resistant cells will eventually die off to be replaced by new ones. If the high insulin levels have not been corrected, for instance, the person is still eating too many carbs, these new cells will not manufacture enough insulin receptors to correct the problem.

Now, if the person is fortunate enough to have the proper dietary advice, the insulin level will fall, receptor up regulation will occur, and then there will be enough insulin receptors now to correct the problem.

So, yes, this whole insulin resistant, metabolic syndrome, obesity, CAD, type 2 diabetes etc can all be CURED by avoidance of carbs. And yes, I used the word cured...

And yes, another great question from JayCee!

Hey, JayCee, do you just like stay up at night (or for me it'd be the morning) and think these questions up? LOL.

Have a great day my friend!

jim