need info ~ insulin helps create muscle mass?

[shabbie]

i read somewhere here that it is possible that insulin users will be more likely to put on muscle mass.

i have noticed i have become more muscular in the abdominal region even with out exercise, and would like to tone up the rest of the body to match it. my legs were always pretty muscular anyway.

so my questions are:~

1. how soon in relation to exercise does one have to take insulin for this to happen.

2. does the insulin have to be given just in the region one desires muscle mass increase (i'm thinking weight trainers here)

3. is there anything else i need to know?


one of my blood results (it was with the hdl/ldl/cholesterol ones) showed as a minus figure which the doc said would increase with exercise.

so i've got an exercise bike coming next week, and really want to start to get fit again. i'm not rich so paying for a gym or yoga or swimming is out of the question...the tins of beans for weights are looking good ;)

[Scratch]

I don't know if this is true or not. There are bodybuilders who believe this to be true and will actually inject some insulin with the food they eat after workouts.

There is good evidence that eating immediately after working out, with foods that have a 4:1 grams carbs/grams protein, is a good idea for both replenishing glycogen stores and rebuilding muscle tissue that was broken down.

Tins of beans can work as weights. Push ups, pull ups, and chin ups are excellent exercises using your own bodyweight.

[surly_potato]

1. Bodybuilders who use insulin typically do so 30 minutes to 1 hour following their workout. They (at least the non-diabetic ones) often consider it among the most dangerous substances to use due to the risk of hypoglycemia.

2. Insulin is a hormone and circulates throughout your entire body. I don't think there is much to be gained by injecting into the area where you want to see improvement. Injected testosterone (another hormone), for example, will affect muscle development all over the entire body and not just where it is injected.

3. You will need to eat after your workout so the extra insulin you take has something to work with. Also, you're a woman so your potential for muscle mass development is going to be fairly limited. After my workouts I do take a few units of insulin with my protein shake, but my focus there is the protein my body needs to repair my muscles, not the insulin-driven muscle development you're talking about. But I suppose I get the advantage of both to some extent.

If your goal is simply to increase your strength and develop muscles, I'd stick to a solid resistance training program and good nutrition. That will get you a lot further than a creative use of insulin.

Good luck!

[shabbie]

thats very helpful, thankyou ;)

[morrisma]

After 3 years of seeing him, my endo casually informed me that insulin is a growth hormone. He was always rather sparing with info so I have switched endos finally but I've gathered that the growth aspect of it is ONE of the causes of weight gain in users. Lots of other causes (age, depression, finally able to process food, etc) so I'm not sure how to guage it's exact effect but 'growth' could be construed to mean build muscle.
Mike

[notme]

Thank you Mike. I have been saying this for years and my doctors (up until the last one) acted like I had no clue what I was talking about.

[soso]

well, I will be a guinea pig for this one... I have started a really good circuit class on Mondays, def challenging.. also going to gym at least one extra day as well.
Here's what did today.. fbg 4.7 ate 1 slice cheese and half cup tea..bg before workout 5.2 ... after workout 5.4 came home and ate small apple cottage cheese and 2 tbs cream 2 u bg + 2 hrs 4.4.. so far no improvement in flabby abs, but hey, its only been 10 days.....haha..

If I develop any muscles I will let you know....here's hoping....

[morrisma]

Thank you Mike. I have been saying this for years and my doctors (up until the last one) acted like I had no clue what I was talking about.

Nancy,
You are welcome. I had been a pretty casual about my medical stuff for years. I accepted what I was told and asked minimal questions figuring it would 'all come out in the wash' but not anymore. Finding the right doctors have helped because once you get a little enlightenment, you can't help wanting more. And when you are given the mushroom treatment once too often, it is easy to get uppity! :mad:

Groups like this forum are a great way to bounce ideas and get new clues as to what's happening with our shared condition. Doesn't take long for new information and new ideas to get around.
Information to the masses!
Mike

[sedita]

I do believe that insulin is anabolic and anticatabolic, meaning it can help maintain mass, however, I am too lazy at the moment to try and track down anything confirming this on pubmed or any respectable website.

I personally used to inject primarily in my arms and yes I do feel that I developed more muscle in my arms relative to the other body parts (at the time I was lifting like crazy and playing rugby). My brother actually asked me at some point if I was using steroids.

Incidentally, an endocrinologist I was seeing some years ago mentioned that diabetics that inject into their arms tend to develop "popeye arms", meaning they tended to be oversized relative to the rest of their build.

I wouldn't start injecting in your abdomen thinking this is going to net you a great set of abs. Really that is going to come down to working out hard and following a strict diet. Abs are one of those muscles that can be well developed in an individual but may never be noticable do to the persons body fat percentage. Really if you want to show your abs, focus on your diet.

Remember that insulin, will also pack on fat. So really just get to the gym work out, and watch your diet.

[gambi]

i read somewhere here that it is possible that insulin users will be more likely to put on muscle mass.

i have noticed i have become more muscular in the abdominal region even with out exercise, and would like to tone up the rest of the body to match it. my legs were always pretty muscular anyway.

so my questions are:~

1. how soon in relation to exercise does one have to take insulin for this to happen.

2. does the insulin have to be given just in the region one desires muscle mass increase (i'm thinking weight trainers here)

3. is there anything else i need to know?


one of my blood results (it was with the hdl/ldl/cholesterol ones) showed as a minus figure which the doc said would increase with exercise.

so i've got an exercise bike coming next week, and really want to start to get fit again. i'm not rich so paying for a gym or yoga or swimming is out of the question...the tins of beans for weights are looking good ;)

Shabbie,
Hope the bike is working out for you! I have one at home and sit it in front of the TV and watch all my DVRed shows, it's great!

An inexpensive piece of equipment is an exercise ball - I know here in the US they run around $10-15. It has many uses and you can google different exercise. You could use it while lifting the tin cans! Good luck with the exercise!

[pumper]

I personally used to inject primarily in my arms and yes I do feel that I developed more muscle in my arms relative to the other body parts (at the time I was lifting like crazy and playing rugby). My brother actually asked me at some point if I was using steroids.

Incidentally, an endocrinologist I was seeing some years ago mentioned that diabetics that inject into their arms tend to develop "popeye arms", meaning they tended to be oversized relative to the rest of their build.

Insulin definately is a growth hormone-but I have never heard of this effect that you are mentioning with your arms. Too bad that I'm not on the pump, b/c I'd be tempeted to try that (arms used to be an underutilized site with me...)