Cravings, bad skin and constantly tired? The cause is often insulin resistance.

What is the task of insulin?

The word „insulin“ is often directly associated with the blood sugar disease diabetes mellitus. However, the real meaning and function of insulin and its disorders are unknown to many. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in the pancreas. Its main task is to regulate the amount of nutrients circulating in the bloodstream. When we eat something that contains carbohydrates, the blood sugar level rises. Our pancreas then releases insulin into the blood. The hormone insulin regulates the blood sugar balance via several mechanisms. Sugar (glucose) is the most important „fuel“ for humans. When insulin enters the bloodstream and binds to cells (receptors), these can absorb the energy from the blood and the blood sugar level drops. The hormone insulin also has an anti-inflammatory effect, supports the renewal of connective tissue<and skin and is important for the recovery of vital minerals in the kidneys. Insulin has been shown to promote growth in various tissues and is responsible for the feeling of satiety in the brain. ^[1][2]

In our body, different tissues and organs are made insulin-insensitive every day depending on the situation and for a limited period of time, as a result of which they receive less glucose, i.e. less energy supply. Local tissue-specific insulin resistance is used during acute stress to provide energy and distribute it as needed. ^[3] Some examples for a better understanding: When we exercise, the digestive organs become insulin resistant and absorb less energy because there is no benefit.strong>there is no benefit to investing energy in digestion when muscle activity is required. If the immune system needs more energy during a flu infection, the muscles become insulin resistant. As a result, we don't feel like exercising when we are ill, as the muscles are supplied with less energy. Exerting yourself physically despite this protective signal from the body could be very dangerous.

Insulin resistance can also be caused by a lack of exercise, an excessive amount of carbohydrates and high-sugar foods, overweight and many other factors.

The insulin resistance and the Homa index

What does the Homa Index say? The risk of insulin resistance can be determined by looking at the blood glucose and insulin levels. This calculation is also referred to as “HOMA–Index“. The abbreviation “HOMA” stands for Homeostasis Model Assessment. To determine the HOMA–Index, a blood sample is required in the wet state. What are the values for insulin resistance? If blood glucose levels are between 100 mg/dl (5.6 mmol/l) and 125 mg/dl (6.9 mmol/l) overnight or between 140 mg/dl (7.8 mmol/l) and 200 mg/dl (11.1 mmol/l) after 2 hours, there is a high probability of insulin resistance.

Our modern lives are characterized by frequent meals. Added to this are often refined carbohydrates, sugar, alcohol or tobacco. All of these influences demand constant activity of the pancreas – right up to overactivity of the pancreas. If this happens over a longer period of time and the pancreas becomes exhausted as a result, it can lead to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (short: EPI) or pancreatic insufficiency can occur. ^[4] This begins with symptoms such as digestive problems, problems with insulin production and then later also type 2 diabetes mellitus.

How do I recognize pancreatic disease?

The clinical symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are an unpleasant smelling stool (fatty stool), bloating, lack of fatty nutrients (vitamin C), fat stool (vitamin D), fat stool (vitamin B), fat stool (vitamin C), fat stool (vitamin D);nutrients (vitamins A, D, E, K) and their functions with regard to the immune system, blood clotting or alcohol tolerance as well as bloating and general malaise. ^[5]

Stoerungen im Insulinhaushalt

After ingestion of food, the hormone insulin is produced by Langerhans beta cells in the pancreas. ^{[6] [7]} Insulin production is also controlled by two hormones (GIP, GLP 1). If these two are broken down too quickly or too little, this can lead to disturbances in the insulin balance. ^[8] The enzyme DPP-4 is responsible for the inactivation of GIP and GLP 1, which is why an overactivity of DPP-4 is associated with insulin disorders and diseases such as metabolic syndrome or type 2 diabetes mellitus. ^[9][10][11] The two hormones GIP and GLP 1 are not the only substances that are broken down by the DPP-4 enzyme, but also gluten in cereals and casein from dairy products. ^[12] In other words, cereals and dairy products have a negative impact on insulin and on diseases such as diabetes and acne. Heavy metals such as mercury from amalgam fillings also bind to DPP-4 and can cause a deficiency. ^[13]

Typical symptoms of insulin resistance:

• Acne in all age groups
• Belly fat
• Hypertension
• Exhaustion and fatigue
• Hair loss
• Skin tags and age spots
• Sugar cravings
• Corneal damage (myopia)
• Concentration disorders
• Loss of libido
• Male body hair in women
• Restlessness
• Mood swings
• &overweight
• Slowed wound healing
• Increased skin pigmentation ^{[14] [15][16]}

The most important tips for insulin resistance:

• Move your shoulders for insulin sensitivity of the cells
• Reduction of meal frequency: At least five to seven hours break between meals
• Reduction of carbohydrate-rich foods such as cereals (wheat, rye, oats, barley, spelt, grasses
potatoes, rice and sugar to relieve and increase rest periods for the pancreas
• Reduction of or Ovoidance of alcohol and tobacco
• Reduction of dairy products (milk protein; casein)
• Reduction of bad fats from fattening animals and linoleic acid from vegetable fat sources such as sunflower, corn germ or safflower oil
• Using food as medicine: Wasabi, cayenne pepper, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and garlic täglich to restore^[17]
• Mango and other tropical fruits combined with fermented vegetables
• insulin„sensors“ on the cell walls ^[18][19]

The best foods for more insulin sensitivity:

• Artichokes
• Avocado
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries and cranberries)
• Bitter melon
• Fenugreek
• Fenugreek/li>
• Broccoli
• Chinese cabbage
• Fermented vegetables (sauerkraut)
• Pleasant liver
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Turmeric
• Kürbis
• Sea fish
• Seafood and shellfish (oysters)
• Nuts (almonds)
• Spinach
• Root vegetables
• Cinnamon
• Onion

Conclusion:

Insulin resistance and its symptoms and clinical pictures can be treated with a proper diet and lifestyle. Our recommendations are aimed at all people who want to do something for their general well-being in the long term. The positive consequences of increased insulin sensitivity are more beautiful skin, better hair growth and increased performance.