Insulin – King of the Hormones

There is a single important chemical in the body which manages a variety of processes and levels in the blood and the entire body.  This single master control – the king in your hand – is called Insulin, and controlling your Insulin is the key to your health.
When I was 75 pounds heavier, I was not in control of my Insulin levels. I was significantly heavier. I always feeling tired and run down. I was snoring and even stopped breathing at multiple times during the night (a condition called Sleep Apnea). I felt like I needed high calorie, high sugar and caffeinated foods to give me an energy boost at every meal and even between meals. I was not in control of my Insulin, and this was messing with the rest of my bodily functions.

Hormones are chemical messengers produced by certain organs and cells in our body. They are stimulated and secreted in order to maintain a balance of many factors related to metabolism, stress and energy production. This balance is called “Homeostasis”.

Insulin is considered the “master hormone” of the body. It is a chemical messenger which is produced and secreted by cells of the Pancreas (Beta-cells) in response to eating food, but most notably, in response to carbohydrates. Insulin facilitates the movement of all macronutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrates) out of the bloodstream and into our cells for use either immediately, or in the future.

When we eat a meal high in carbohydrates (sugar, cereal, pasta, breads, rice), our body responds to the elevated level of sugar in our blood by releasing a wave of Insulin in the bloodstream, telling the cells to remove all this sugar from the blood and take it into the cells for energy production and/or storage. If this happens occasionally in the body, the response will occur properly. When we are eating high carb meals multiple times per day, our blood sugar levels remain chronically high and insulin needs to be produced constantly in order to keep levels within the normal range. When our insulin levels are constantly high, the constant knocking at the door by Insulin annoys our cells.

If a friend rings your doorbell or knocks on your door asking for a favour, you generally have no problem and will help them out. Now imagine that same friend constantly knocking at your door, 3-4 times per day, asking you to help them with this or that. Initially you would get annoyed. Soon, you may not even answer the knock at the door because this friend is asking for too much and is being incredibly annoying, and so you become less friendly and the favour doesn’t get completed.
The same thing happens in our cells when Insulin is constantly knocking at the door, asking for our cells to do them a favour by taking in some sugar from the bloodstream. Our cells eventually stop answering the knock at the door (Insulin Resistance). This can eventually lead to chronically high blood sugar levels (hyperglycaemia), which is harmful to our long-term health. The pancreas eventually stops producing insulin because our body stops reacting to it. We have lost our master hormone so our body’s hormone system. Our body reacts by many other hormones going out of balance including Glucagon, Cortisol, Thyroid, Testosterone, Progesterone, Estrogen and Leptin as well as their controlling hormones.

Chronically high blood sugar is a major cause of health conditions, including obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, brain and memory conditions (read the book “Grain Brain”), Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and low sex drive.

Overcome these issues by eating meals higher in natural sources of carbohydrate and other micronutrients like dark, leafy green vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Your diet should also be higher in good quality protein like free-run eggs, chicken and wild-caught fish as well as good quality fats like avocado, nuts and seeds. Cook in coconut oil, ghee or butter and avoid low quality industrial oils. Feel free to sprinkle your salads with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar as well rather than packaged dressings.

Stack your deck by treating the King of the Hormones well. Keep insulin working correctly and cells responding to that friendly neighbour. If you treat it will, your outlook will improve immensely as health will no longer limit you.

Dr. Navaz Habib


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Overfed But Undernourished? 9 Signs You're Nutrient Deficient

BY NATHALIE CHANTAL DE AHNA

As a nutritionist, I know one thing's for sure: the road to chronic disease often begins on our plate! While many people turn to pills for relief, the downside of this strategy is that meds often address symptoms rather than treat the root cause(s) of disease.

Here are nine signs that your lack of health and happiness might actually be a nutrient deficiency:

1. You're suffering from anxiety and depression.

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 21 million American adults suffer from a mood disorder every year. A deficiency in the following nutrients may be linked to anxiety and depression: B vitamins, biotin, vitamin C, vitamin D, calcium, chromium, selenium, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron.

2. Your bones are weak.

No matter how old you are, strong bones are vital to feeling fit and healthy. If you have troubles in this department, you might be lacking: vitamins A, vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin K, copper, chromium, zinc, magnesium, and molybdenum.

3. You have brittle hair & nails, or hair loss.

It doesn't matter if you're male or female, beautiful hair and nails are really nice to have. If you're not too happy with yours, you could be needing vitamins B5, B6, B12, biotin, or chlorine.

4. You're tired all the time.

Do you sometimes feel like you want to do so much but are just too tired to do anything? Fatigue is a huge problem for many of us and keeps us from living life to the fullest. If you're lacking energy, you might be missing: vitamins B1, B3, B11, B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, biotin, iron, potassium, or magnesium.

5. You're experiencing hyperactivity/ADHD.

Sometimes meds are necessary to help you calm your mind. But maybe you're lacking attention and calm "simply"because you are deficient in: vitamins B1, B2, B5, E, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, or zinc.

6. You have poor immunity, or you experience infections often.

Nobody wants to be sick all-the time or constantly deal with inflammation or infections. A strong immune system can fend off a lot and help you heal. If your body's defense is constantly letting you down, however, it may be calling for vitamins A, C, D & E, chromium, selenium, magnesium, or zinc.

7. You have skin troubles.

Acne, rashes, eczema and age spots can be very annoying and undermine our self-esteem. There's a lot we can put onto our skin, but if you want to heal your issues from within, it's good to know that skin troubles are often caused by a deficiency in: vitamins A, B3, biotin, B8, C, E, omega-3 fats, copper, selenium, or zinc.

8. You're dealing with digestive issues.

If you don't digest and absorb your food properly, the best diet in the world is pretty useless. If you're suffering from poor digestion, constipation, diarrhea, bloating or other GI tract troubles, you might be lacking: vitamin B11 & iron, B8,B12, C, D, E, K, selenium, magnesium, or zinc.

9. You can't sleep.

Did you know that 90% of people who suffer from sleeplessness also suffer from other chronic conditions such as diabetes, stroke, heart disease or high blood pressure? They are also more likely to feel depressed or gain weight.

If getting enough zzz's seems impossible, you could be deficient in: Vitamins B11, E, calcium, magnesium, or zinc.

What to do if you're worried that you're nutrient-deficient

Keep a diary and note down when exactly you experience which symptoms. Once you've got a good overview, call your doctor to schedule a comprehensive blood test and, if possible, discuss the results with someone experienced in orthomolecular therapy.

Also, make sure to eat a balanced diet, rich in a rainbow of colors. Aim to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Some ideas to help you do this:

• Have "liquid salads" (aka green smoothies).
• Put a bowl with fruit on every table in your home.
• Keep containers with a mix of veggies in your fridge to take with you when you leave the house.
• Dehydrate veggies.
• Make your own veggie chips.
• Schedule actual fruit breaks in your agenda (with reminders).

If our body and mind are out of balance, there is a lot we can do ourselves to make things better. Start slowly with simple and real food, find alternatives for coffee, alcohol, and white sugar (because these affect the absorption of nutrients) and learn about a holistic approach to health and happiness.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-12434/overfed-but-undernourished-9-signs-youre-nutrient-deficient.html