[Rad Warrier]

For quite some time I have observed this rather strange thing: If I take my normal food (normally no sugar) my blood sugar levels after 2 hours will be, say in the 6.7 mmol/L (121 mg/dL) range. If I take something sweet and sugary (a piece of blueberry pie, a kaju burfi, a laddoo etc.) as dessert along with the normal food, the blood sugar reading drops to the 5.7 mmol/L (103 mg/dL) levels after two hours. (I don't try this experiment often - only very rarely.)

My theory is that the sugary thing is somehow stimulating my pancreas (analogous to the action of a sulfonylurea drug) to produce much more insulin than normal and this high level of insulin lowers the blood sugar to below normal (for me) 2-hour post prandial levels. I know this sugary 'low' is harmful in two ways: it would tire my pancreas out in the long run, and the high insulin levels will add unhealthy fat to my body unless I burn away all the extra calories (which I do on the treadmill eventually).

Another interesting thing that I have observed in the above situation is that after the sugary treat, I get hungry earlier than normal. The extra insulin may be stimulating my hunger. But, in order for me to be hungry, the food I ate should have digested properly. Does this mean that increased insulin levels help digestion in some yet undiscovered ways? Have any others here observed this?

Regards,
Rad

[fgummett]

I understand that insulin increases appetite and that it has been used to treat anorexia. Yet another reason to consider a diet that minimises the use of insulin; if your intent is to manage weight

There is also biochemical evidence that higher levels of insulin moves sugar (as fatty acids) into fat cells - and locks it away there (as triglycerides) - so efficiently that it does it to the detriment of other cells... effectively leaving the body "hungry", despite the fact that you just ate!

[TomB]

fgummett -
You're scaring me with your logical attack on too much insulin. I had to stop using metformin and replaced it with a 12u shot of Lantus. During the day I take either a 2.5g or 5g glipizide before meals - to kick start my pancreas. So far, my numbers are usually good, except if I forget the glipizide.
From what you say here and in my other post regarding complications, too much insulin is about as bad as too much glucose for artery walls. Humm, got to think about this a bit. Heard that Byetta kind of acts like metformin but with the side effects. Humm, gots to think about this.
Tally Ho,
Tom

[fgummett]

Not too much... not too little... juuust right ( <- couldn't find any bears!)

[soso]

Read Gabe Mirkin on high insulin levels in the blood..def not good for one..
There is also something I read about the size of the first phase response of insulin action, being somehow tied to the amount of carbs in the previous meal...meant to delve further but forgot..anyone else heard of that?
FWIW I have noticed the same thing, if I am going to eat a reg dessert as long as it is with a meal, I don;t seem to need quite as much insulin as I expect..