Insulin is a hormone released by our pancreas to carry sugar from our blood into cells to be 1) used for energy 2) stored as glycogen for later use 3) converted to fat, if all the glycogen stores are full. Sugar taken in from eating and drinking stimulates the pancreas to release insulin, therefore the more sugar we consume, the more insulin is released.

How does insulin imbalances affect our health?

1. Abdominal Fat: Excess insulin leads to increased fat stores, while blocking the use of this fat for energy.
2. Increased Appetite: Excess insulin increases appetite and cravings for sugar by influencing the hormone appetite-suppressing hormone leptin. In addition, it increases dopamine, the pleasure seeking hormone.
3. Type-2 Diabetes: Chronic excess insulin can cause cell receptors to become de-sensitized overtime. This means that the levels of sugar in the blood remain high even after insulin release leading to many serious health concerns associated with Diabetes.
4. Hypoglycemia: In some individuals, sugar is taken out of the blood too quickly. This may be in response to a higher metabolic rate or an excess secretion of insulin. Low blood sugar causes symptoms of shakiness, sweating, palpitations, poor concentration, irritability and headaches.

Do you have 5 or more of the following?

• Skin tags
• Cellulite
• Abnormal/Excess hair growth in women
• Sagging skin
• Irregular menses
• High cholesterol and triglycerides
• High blood pressure
• Poor memory and concentration
• Low libido
• Weight gain around abdomen and backs of arms
• Hypoglycemia: shakiness, strong craving for sweets, increased appetite
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Sleep disruption in the night to eat
• Gout
• Lack of exercise
• Infertility
• Acanthosis nigrans (skin condition of brown patches on neck/underarm)
• Burning feet at night