Monday, December 8, 2008


Insulin is used by the body to carry glucose into the cells. That is it's normal function, and if you are not diabetic, you don't need to worry about your insulin levels. But if you are diabetic, there is reason to worry about how much insulin you are taking.

Continual use of insulin produces increasing insulin resistance, where the cells no longer accept the insulin and glucose at the cell receptor sites. In a case of Type 2 diabetes, this means the cure is making the disease worse!

Increasing insulin resistance coming from continual use of insulin promotes the eventual end-stage diabetes problems: loss of circulation, and even blindness and amputations, and potential kidney transplants.

Of course, you MUST manage your blood sugar. But you don't have to use insulin to do it. Instead, use the balanced protein and carb diet that was recommended by the American Diabetes Association for some 50 years. That means eating the same number of grams of protein and carbs each time you eat. *Note you can have protein by itself, but never carbs by themselves.*

So, by using just-in-time food, eating 4 to 6 times per day, and balancing protein and carbs, you are putting a much smaller load on your pancreas to produce insulin.

How much insulin is your body actually making? This is a key question for anyone who is taking insulin. Ask for a C-peptide test, which will tell you how much insulin your body is making. If it is making enough insulin, but the problem is insulin resistance, then the balanced protein and carb diet, just-in-time food, and supplements will free you of having to take so much insulin. The less insulin you take, the less chances you have of end stage diabetes.

And of course, it goes without saying that the foods that demand insulin are the junky foods we all eat. Starchy carbs, sweets, and rice, bread and white potatoes. Cut these out, enjoy your higher protein diet with all the good fruits, vegetables, nuts and salads. Stick with 10 carb desserts, always with equal grams of protein in the meal.

Even with half a pancreas, my insulin needs are practically gone!

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