Elevated Insulin Levels Last updated: Jul 17, 2008

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  Elevated Insulin Levels  
 

 
Signs, symptoms and indicators | Conditions that suggest it | Contributing risk factors | Other conditions that may be present | It can lead to... | Recommendations

 
 

Chronic exposure to refined carbohydrates and simple sugars can cause elevated levels of insulin, which drives glucose levels down. This can result in hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Over time, tissues may become less sensitive to insulin and as a result glucose cannot enter the cells as easily. This means more glucose in the bloodstream and a greater tendency to convert it into fat instead of energy. Elevated insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) cause the body to have difficulty breaking down fat also. Indications of hyperinsulinemia include weight gain (especially around the waste producing the apple shape, not the pear shape), increased blood pressure and cholesterol. When several factors are present, it may be called Syndrome X. Testing for elevated insulin levels can be an important step toward better health, and the prevention of diabetes and chronic disease processes later in life.

Insulin is primarily a storage hormone. Its main purpose is to store nutrients in your body. However, insulin stores more than just glucose. It works in the same way with protein and fat.

  • Insulin increases the activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL). When it's expressed in adipose tissue (body fat), this enzyme promotes the storage of fat.
  • Insulin inhibits the action of hormone sensitive lipase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down stored fat and preparing it for use as energy.
  • Insulin also activates an enzyme called acetyl co-enzyme A carboxylase [2], which, along with fatty acid synthase, is responsible for converting carbohydrate into fat.
High levels of insulin make it less likely that your body will use stored fat as a fuel source. Some evidence that this is the case comes from a recent study completed at England's Loughborough University. Eight subjects received either a high or low glycemic index meal three hours prior to exercise. Each meal contained identical amounts of protein, carbohydrate and fat. Insulin levels following the meal containing the high glycemic index carbohydrate increased by a massive 1000% after just 15 minutes.

 
 

Signs, symptoms & indicators of Elevated Insulin Levels:
 
 
Lab Values - Common  High systolic blood pressure
  High diastolic blood pressure

Symptoms - Hair
  Early male pattern baldness
 Although early baldness on the top of the head may be a non-modifiable risk factor for heart disease, it may serve as a useful clinical marker to identify men at increased risk of insulin problems and cardiac risk who would benefit from more detailed screening and lifestyle, dietary, nutritional and other interventive therapies. [Lancet September 30, 2000; 356: pp.1165-1166]
 
 

Conditions that suggest Elevated Insulin Levels:
 
 
Autoimmune  Diabetes Type I
 Insulin resistance may still be a problem even in those taking insulin. The measures for lowering this resistance should be considered.


Counter-indicators:
  Diabetes Type I

Hormones
  Low SHBG
 Research has discovered that sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a relatively unknown blood protein, is a reasonably good indicator of insulin resistance. Low levels of SHBG are consistently linked to high levels of insulin in the body. Sustained high levels of insulin are, in turn, associated with the development of the chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Lab Values
  Elevated Total Cholesterol

Musculo-Skeletal
  Gout / Hyperuricemia
 Preliminary research suggests that insulin resistance may play a role in the development of gout. Gout is strongly associated with the consequences of insulin resistance i.e. obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

Organ Health
  Diabetes Type II / Risk
 Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance are both factors that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Hyperinsulinemia often predates diabetes by several years.

Uro-Genital
  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
 Researchers found that 75% of women studied with PCOS were hyperinsulinemic. [Fertil Steril 2000;73(1): pp.150-156, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999;84(6): pp.1897-1899]

Insulin resistance is a unique feature of PCOS and not of hyperandrogenic states in general. PCOS is an important risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women. It is estimated that approximately 10% of diabetes in premenopausal women is PCOS related.
 
 

Risk factors for Elevated Insulin Levels:
 
 
Childhood  Early puberty onset
 Girls with premature puberty have been found to have elevated insulin and DHEA-S levels. This contributes to the weight gain usually seen in advanced PCOS."

Habits
  Lack of Sleep
 A study found that people who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis may become less sensitive to insulin which, over time, can raise the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Chronic sleep deprivation (under 6.5 hours per night) had the same effect on insulin resistance as aging.

Lab Values - Chemistries
  Elevated C-Peptide level

Mental
  Stress
 One of cortisol's undesirable effects is it contributes to insulin resistance by decreasing the rate of glucose uptake, probably by blocking the insulin receptor. [J Clin endocrinol Metab 54 (1982) : pp.131-138]

Symptoms - Food - Intake
  Eating a high glycemic diet

Symptoms - Metabolic
  Having abdominal fat or apple-shaped body when overweight

Counter-indicators:
  Pear-shaped body when overweight
 
 

Elevated Insulin Levels suggests the following may be present:
 
 
Habits  Lack of Sleep
 A study found that people who do not get enough sleep on a regular basis may become less sensitive to insulin which, over time, can raise the risk of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Chronic sleep deprivation (under 6.5 hours per night) had the same effect on insulin resistance as aging.

Immunity
  Immune System Imbalance (TH2 Dominance)

Mental
  Stress
 One of cortisol's undesirable effects is it contributes to insulin resistance by decreasing the rate of glucose uptake, probably by blocking the insulin receptor. [J Clin endocrinol Metab 54 (1982) : pp.131-138]

Metabolic
  Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X)
 Syndrome X is the variable combination of obesity (usually central in distribution), insulin resistance with elevated insulin levels, high blood cholesterol and hypertension.

Uro-Genital
  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
 Researchers found that 75% of women studied with PCOS were hyperinsulinemic. [Fertil Steril 2000;73(1): pp.150-156, J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1999;84(6): pp.1897-1899]

Insulin resistance is a unique feature of PCOS and not of hyperandrogenic states in general. PCOS is an important risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus in women. It is estimated that approximately 10% of diabetes in premenopausal women is PCOS related.
 
 

Elevated Insulin Levels can lead to:
 
 
Musculo-Skeletal  Gout / Hyperuricemia
 Preliminary research suggests that insulin resistance may play a role in the development of gout. Gout is strongly associated with the consequences of insulin resistance i.e. obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

Risks
  Increased Risk of Colon Cancer
 Elevated insulin production, as reflected by elevated concentrations of plasma C-peptide, may predict the risk of developing colorectal cancer, independently of BMI, factors related to insulin resistance, or levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3. [J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 Apr 7;96(7): pp.546-53]

  Increased Risk of Rectal Cancer
 Elevated insulin production, as reflected by elevated concentrations of plasma C-peptide, may predict the risk of developing colorectal cancer, independently of BMI, factors related to insulin resistance, or levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3. [J Natl Cancer Inst. 2004 Apr 7;96(7): pp.546-53]
 
 

Recommendations for Elevated Insulin Levels:
 
 
Botanical  Cinnamon (Cinnamonum zeylanicum)
 Cinnamon with each meal helps keep insulin and blood sugar levels under control. The typical 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dose contains a phytochemical called methyl hydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) which improves cellular glucose utilization and increases the sensitivity of insulin receptors in laboratory studies. Personal testimonies indicate that this effect is seen in humans, but further study is required to confirm this.

Diet
  Sugars Avoidance / Reduction
 The notion that foods with a low glycemic index aid fat loss is based on the idea they help to control insulin levels. A sample list of these foods can be found on our web site.

  Weight Loss
  High/Increased Protein Diet
 Carbohydrates such as simple sugars, grains and starchy vegetables should be avoided as they stimulate insulin secretion. They should be replaced with higher protein containing foods and non starchy vegetables.

  Gluten-free Diet
 In 3,250 Chinese women living in widely dispersed rural counties, researchers examined the relationship of various foods with a specific set of biochemical blood tests that have been shown to be commonly linked with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and coronary heart disease, otherwise collectively known as the "insulin resistance syndrome."

They found that the pattern of blood biochemistries of people in the northern part of China who eat a predominantly wheat- based diet resemble those in people with insulin resistance. This pattern includes higher insulin, higher triglycerides, and lower SHBG. The Chinese women in the south, on the other hand, eat a rice-based diet and have a pattern of blood values that would be considered low risk.

The differing effects of wheat and rice on SHBG and insulin may be due to the difference in amylose content, a particular kind of starch. Other researchers have found that some rice varieties have higher amylose content than wheat; some types of rice, on the other hand, have comparable levels. Several recent studies have shown that starches with higher amylose content slow down glucose absorption and thus reduce the insulin response of the meal.

  Hydrogenated Fats / Trans Fatty Acids Avoidance
  Milk / Dairy Products
 A higher consumption of dairy products was associated with a reduced risk of insulin resistance (Syndrome X) in a study of 3,157 young adults followed for a 10 year period. [JAMA 2002;287(16): pp.2081-2089]

Drug
  Conventional Drugs / Information
 Metformin makes the body's tissues more sensitive to insulin and is one of the most common OHAs, or oral hypoglycemic agent, on the market. Its use can make weight loss easier too.

Extract
  DIM (di-indolmethane)/I3C (Indole-3-Carbinol)
 DIM has been reported to enhance insulin sensitivity and encourage abdominal fat loss.

Habits
  Aerobic Exercise
 Aerobic exercise is very important in keeping insulin levels low and to prevent cells from becoming insulin resistant. Exercise becomes effective in promoting weight loss through these two mechanisms.

Please see the link and comment between Metabolic Syndrome and Exercise.

Mineral
  Zinc
 56 obese women with insulin resistance, but normal glucose levels, experienced reduced insulin levels with 30mg per day of supplemental zinc, in spite of having normal zinc levels at the beginning of the trial. [American Diabetes Association June 14-18, 2002. San Francisco, California]

  Chromium
 Chromium picolinate supplementation at 1,000mcg per day over a 13-week period combined with exercise decreased total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and insulin levels in a recent small study of both males and females. [J Nutr Biochem, 1998;9: pp.471-475]

Nutrient
  DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
 DHA at 1.8gm per day improved insulin sensitivity while having no effect on insulin secretion, in a pilot study of 12 overweight adults 45-70 years old. [Experimental Biology, April 20-24, 2002, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; abstract]
 
 


KEY
Weak or unproven link
Strong or generally accepted link
Proven definite or direct link
Strongly counter-indicative
May do some good
Likely to help
Highly recommended

"Keep on going and the chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down." Charles F. Kettering
"He never wins who fears defeat." Prahlad Pandey
"Doubting your chances before you're done, may cost you the race you might have won."





GLOSSARY

Cancer:  Refers to the various types of malignant neoplasms that contain cells growing out of control and invading adjacent tissues, which may metastasize to distant tissues.

Carbohydrates:  The sugars and starches in food. Sugars are called simple carbohydrates and found in such foods as fruit and table sugar. Complex carbohydrates are composed of large numbers of sugar molecules joined together, and are found in grains, legumes, and vegetables like potatoes, squash, and corn.

Cardiac:  Pertaining to the heart, also, pertaining to the stomach area adjacent to the esophagus.

Cholesterol:  A waxy, fat-like substance manufactured in the liver and found in all tissues, it facilitates the transport and absorption of fatty acids. In foods, only animal products contain cholesterol. An excess of cholesterol in the bloodstream can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

Chronic:  Usually Chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.

Colorectal Cancer:  A cancerous tumor of the large intestine. It is marked by dark, sticky stools containing blood and a change in bowel habits.

DHEA:  Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a steroid produced by the adrenal glands and is the most abundant one found in humans. DHEA may be transformed into testosterone, estrogen or other steroids. It is found in the body as DHEA or in the sulfated form known as DHEA-S. One form is converted into the other as needed.

Diabetes Mellitus:  A disease with increased blood glucose levels due to lack or ineffectiveness of insulin. Diabetes is found in two forms; insulin-dependent diabetes (juvenile-onset) and non-insulin-dependent (adult-onset). Symptoms include increased thirst; increased urination; weight loss in spite of increased appetite; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; frequent infections including bladder, vaginal, and skin; blurred vision; impotence in men; bad breath; cessation of menses; diminished skin fullness. Other symptoms include bleeding gums; ear noise/buzzing; diarrhea; depression; confusion.

Enzymes:  Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.

Fatty Acids:  Chemical chains of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms that are part of a fat (lipid) and are the major component of triglycerides. Depending on the number and arrangement of these atoms, fatty acids are classified as either saturated, polyunsaturated, or monounsaturated. They are nutritional substances found in nature which include cholesterol, prostaglandins, and stearic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, eicosapentanoic (EPA), and decohexanoic acids. Important nutritional lipids include lecithin, choline, gamma-linoleic acid, and inositol.

Glucose:  A sugar that is the simplest form of carbohydrate. It is commonly referred to as blood sugar. The body breaks down carbohydrates in foods into glucose, which serves as the primary fuel for the muscles and the brain.

Gout:  A disease characterized by an increased blood uric acid level and sudden onset of episodes of acute arthritis.

Hormones:  Chemical substances secreted by a variety of body organs that are carried by the bloodstream and usually influence cells some distance from the source of production. Hormones signal certain enzymes to perform their functions and, in this way, regulate such body functions as blood sugar levels, insulin levels, the menstrual cycle, and growth. These can be prescription, over-the-counter, synthetic or natural agents. Examples include adrenal hormones such as corticosteroids and aldosterone; glucagon, growth hormone, insulin, testosterone, estrogens, progestins, progesterone, DHEA, melatonin, and thyroid hormones such as thyroxine and calcitonin.

Hyperlipidemia:  Increased cholesterol level.

Hypertension:  High blood pressure. Hypertension increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure because it adds to the workload of the heart, causing it to enlarge and, over time, to weaken; in addition, it may damage the walls of the arteries.

Hypoglycemia:  A condition characterized by an abnormally low blood glucose level. Severe hypoglycemia is rare and dangerous. It can be caused by medications such as insulin (diabetics are prone to hypoglycemia), severe physical exhaustion, and some illnesses.

Insulin:  A hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to elevated blood glucose levels. Insulin stimulates the liver, muscles, and fat cells to remove glucose from the blood for use or storage.

Lipase:  An enzyme secreted by the pancreas to assist in fat breakdown.

Lipoproteins:  Molecules composed of lipids and proteins that carry fats and cholesterol through the bloodstream.

Premenopause:  The period when women of childbearing age experience relatively normal reproductive function (including regular periods).

Protein:  Compounds composed of hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen present in the body and in foods that form complex combinations of amino acids. Protein is essential for life and is used for growth and repair. Foods that supply the body with protein include animal products, grains, legumes, and vegetables. Proteins from animal sources contain the essential amino acids. Proteins are changed to amino acids in the body.