The Problem With Too Much Insulin

Your body has some useful earlywarning systems when things aren’t right. Here’s what to look out for.

- Nicky Perks

Belly fat. There’s no reason to love it but here’s another downer: it’s a sign that you might have high insulin.Slim, flat-bellied people may also have insulin issues, of course, but if you’re gaining belly fat it’s something to investigate.

High insulin is the proverbial ‘canary in the coal mine’ that warns of imminent danger. The build-up of insulin indicates, metabolically speaking, that your system is no longer working as it should. If left untreated high levels of insulin develop into insulin resistance (a pre-diabetic state) and, eventually, could result in full-blown type 2 diabetes.

Excess insulin is highly inflammatory to the body and can lead to heart disease and hormonal imbalance. It has, for example, been shown that a high percentage of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have insulin resistance. PCOS may affect one’s ability to conceive and can therefore be a devastating diagnosis for women wanting to start a family. High insulin levels also raise the risk for certain types of cancer.

INSULIN AND OBESITY

The lower your insulin level the easier it is for stored fat to exit your fat cells to be used for energy. The result: weight loss. Conversely high insulin levels will lock fat into your cells like prisoners in a maximum security prison. Traditionally those wanting to lose weight have been advised to cut fat and to include plenty of whole grains (carbohydrates) into their diets. Given how our bodies work this just doesn’t make sense: it is carbohydrates that raise insulin levels and keep unwanted fat locked into our cells, especially when someone is insulin resistant.