The Insulin Factor: Can’t Lose Weight? Can’t Concentrate? Can’t Resist Sugar? Could Syndrome X Be Your Problem?. Antony Haynes
only does sugar increase your risk of diabetes, but it also increases your risk of heart disease. Interestingly, sugar will actually start affecting the health of your cardiovascular system long before you ever get diabetes. This is because high levels of insulin, normally caused by a diet high in refined carbohydrates, exist for many years before you develop diabetes, and excess insulin is one of the most powerful causes of furred arteries, high cholesterol and blood fats, (triglycerides) and high blood pressure (see chapter 1). Insulin is as responsible for elevated bad cholesterol and blood fats as dietary fat. As you know, there is a strong link between high cholesterol and blood fats, and heart attacks and strokes.
Sugar and tooth decay
Of course, it will come as no surprise that sugar is also the main culprit when it comes to tooth decay.
Digestive problems
Refined carbohydrates are also behind many digestive problems, because they feed unwanted bacteria in the gut. The refined carbohydrates line the wall of the gut and enable bacteria to thrive and survive rather than pass on through. These bacteria contribute to a range of conditions from excess flatulence, appendicitis, inflammation of the gallbladder and poor digestion of fats, abdominal bloating, offensive smelling stools, and even cystitis and interstitial cystitis.
The hostile bacteria cause inflammation in the gut provoking the immune system to produce molecules called cytokines. This is a normal self-defence mechanism. However, an excess of these immune defence molecules causes problems in the same way excess insulin causes problems. They can escape the gut and get into the bloodstream and disrupt the binding of insulin to its receptor cells. Research shows that these cytokines are a significant contributory factor to Insulin Resistance.
This is why the health of your digestive system is an important part of the Insulin Factor Plan.
But if you are completely appalled at the idea of not being able to eat sugar again, don’t panic! Firstly, it’s more a question of cutting down on foods that contain refined carbohydrates, and secondly it really isn’t as difficult as you think, particularly as there are supplements you can take to stop your cravings – most of my clients who are hooked on sugary things are surprised how easy it can be to give them up.
Summary of key points
In this chapter you can find out about your own risk of Insulin Resistance. The first thing you have to do is to work out your Body Mass Index (BMI) and then you can go on to further assess your risk of Insulin Resistance by answering a five-part questionnaire. We’ll also have a brief look at interpreting the results of a proper Insulin Resistance blood test, in case you want to do this, as it will give you a clearer indication of what degree of Insulin Resistance you have. We’ll also look in a little more detail at the major causes of Insulin Resistance in relation to your questionnaire results and which sections you should focus on in your Insulin Factor Plan.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Although you do not have to be overweight to be insulin resistant, being overweight and having a high proportion of body fat are significant risk factors for Insulin Resistance and heart disease. For this reason, it is helpful to work out your Body Mass Index, or BMI. There are two groups of people for whom a BMI reading is not always helpful or accurate, namely:
Generally speaking, though, your BMI is a reliable indicator of your total body fat.
Work out your BMI by using the BMI table (see Resources). If you need help with assessing your BMI number, please talk to your doctor, who can work it out for you.
My BMI No.:
Date:
Interpreting your result
If your BMI puts you in the overweight or obese bracket, you need to start thinking about losing weight. People who are overweight have a greater chance of developing conditions that are caused at least in part by Insulin Resistance: high blood pressure, high blood fats and cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, strokes and certain cancers. Even a small weight loss (just 10 per cent of your current weight) will help to lower your insulin and consequent risk of developing those diseases. You don’t and shouldn’t try to lose weight overnight, as crash dieting actually increases Insulin Resistance. Instead you should follow the Insulin Factor Plan as recommended in chapter 12 which will help you to lose weight steadily and permanently.
| Underweight: | less than 18.5 |
| Normal weight: | 18.5–24.9 |
| Overweight: | 25–29.9 |
| Obese: | more than 30 |
Insulin Resistance questionnaire
Now that you have calculated your BMI, you are ready to complete the Insulin Resistance questionnaire. The questionnaire is not meant to be the definitive and most accurate method of assessing Insulin Resistance, although it certainly is a good guide.
Whilst you may have already made up your mind that you have Insulin Resistance, the following questions should give you clarification. Importantly, most ‘yes’ answers – other than those in the family history section – can be addressed successfully with the Insulin Factor Plan. Even if you only have a low risk of Insulin Resistance, the questionnaire will show you which aspects of your diet and lifestyle you need to keep an eye on. It is also useful for you to return to and see what progress you have made.
The Insulin Resistance questionnaire is made up of five parts:
1 Family and Health History
2 Signs and Symptoms