Insulin and Obesity

Insulin contributes to obesity

Insulin is one of the key substances which participate in the process of gaining weight. In fact, insulin is the main hormone that controls metabolic processes which cause fat storage. The greatest enemy of losing weight is the excess insulin in the blood.

Excess insulin is released when you consume more sugar than approximately two lumps (6 to 8 g) at once. That is why low-calorie sweeteners (e.g. DiaChrom) are promoted worldwide. They can reduce the intake of simple sugars to a level which does not provoke the pancreas to release excess insulin. For your information: an amount of honey stimulates the pancreas to faster releases of insulin than the same amount of sugar.

Sweet taste induces pleasant feelings and you do not have to deny yourself these feelings. You can prepare tasty meals and desserts using low-calorie sweeteners.

The role of insulin in the body

Insulin’s task is to remove excess glucose from the blood. To achieve that, insulin triggers reactions which cause quick transfer of glucose to cells. The glucose is burned in those cells and the cells gain energy in the process. The body uses this energy to perform an activity, produce glycogen or store fat. Insulin affects many body processes and its main aim is to create energy storage for harder times.

Insulin is a peptide hormone composed of 51 amino acids. Insulin is produced by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. An adult has 6 – 10 mg of insulin in the pancreas. Approximately 2 mg are used every day.

Excess insulin in the blood prevents another enzyme from releasing fats from the adipose tissue. A person with a higher intake of simple sugars forces the pancreas to release more insulin into the blood. The excess insulin then obstructs the process of decreasing fat storage in the body. As a result, the insulin encourages the growth of adipose tissue.

How does insulin work?

In simple terms, the insulin adheres to the surface of a cell and unlocks a receptor. That opens channels in the cell wall and glucose can get in and out of the cell more quickly. If the glucose cannot enter the cell, it cannot be converted. Insulin has to fulfil certain conditions to adhere to the surface of the cell. One of the conditions is the presence of the GTF factor.

Concentration of glucose in the blood of a healthy person can grow from 5.5 mmol/l to 8 mmol/l after finishing a meal. In this moment, insulin is released and it makes the transfer and conversion of glucose in cells faster.

What is the GTF factor?

It is a special complex of trivalent chromium which facilitates binding of insulin molecules to a specific proteinous structure built in the cell membrane. You can find out more in the article on the GTF factor.