Insulin is one of three anabolic hormones, but actually it is a metabolic hormone produced by the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas.
It takes part in the metabolism of simple and complex carbohydrates, fats and proteins.
Its purpose is to lower blood glucose, when it increases after a meal.
The property of insulin to carry all the nutrients into the muscle cell, i.e. amino acids, starch, sugars, fats, vitamins, minerals, creatine, is one of the greatest anabolic benefits for an athlete.
Its disadvantage is lipogenesis-fat store, via the lipoprotein lipase enzyme, which makes it forbidden for periods of cutting.
It gives the body a feeling and an image of being “full and jacked”.
The muscles contract and pump better, veins increase vascularity.
The risk of a hypoglycemic episode is always possible; therefore it is advisable to eat first and then administer it, subcutaneously.
A drink of simple carbohydrates (glucose, dextrose, maltodextrin) can be lifesaving at a serious sugar drop.
Insulin’s prolonged usage causes drowsiness and a lethargic condition.
Slow-release insulin can become fatal, under certain conditions.
Slow release insulin bears the risk of a hypoglycemic episode during sleep, which can lead to a hypoglycemic coma and brain death.
On the contrary, fast-acting insulin is ideal for post training.
This is actually based on the theory of the “anabolic window”, when muscles absorb and utilize in maximum capacity for an hour after exercise.
Besides, insulin blocks cortisol, which comes out post training as anti-inflammatory hormone and in case it’s not controlled, it “cannibalizes” muscles tissue.
Insulin in combination with growth hormone-somatotropin and testosterone is the ultimate gaining stack.
The recommended safe dose is one unit (i.u) per ten kilograms of bodyweight;
i.e. an athlete that’s weighs a hundred kilos, should use 10 i.u. in total, divided in two doses preferably (breakfast and post training).
The amount of carbohydrates for every 10 i.u. is 100gr of simple and complex form.
Insulin’s administration does not enhance the insulin resistance and does not promote the creation of diabetes mellitus.
On the contrary, it helps pancreas not to get fatigued.
Insulin like growth factor-somatomedin C (IGF-1) is a peptide consisting of 70 amino acids produced in the liver, which has a similar action as insulin on the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Therefore, it promotes lipogenesis-fat storage.
IGF-1 has a regenerative property on connective tissues, cartilage and muscle tissues as well.
Hence, it promotes chondroblastic activity.
Somatomedin C, when used exogenously, inhibits the secretion of somatotropin (HGH, growth hormone), through GHRIH (somatostatin) from the pancreatic gland.
A high caloric meal increases IGF-1 concentration, while fasting reduces it.
IGF-1 can be administrated intramuscularly, for instance quads, deltoids, preferable post workout at the trained muscle groups.
It should be noted that IGF-1 is a diabetogenic hormone, as HGH is.
Metformin (Glucophage), the most widely used medication for diabetes mellitus type II taken by mouth, is used by athletes as an “alternative from of insulin”, in order to avoid insulin resistance effects.
Metformin does not interfere with insulin’s release from pancreas.
On the contrary, it makes cellular receptors more sensitive to insulin, thus lowering insulin resistance and decreases glucose production by the liver.
Therefore, metformin has a beneficial impact on many components of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus type II (non insulin dependent).
The action of metformin occurs only with the presence of insulin (endogenous or exogenous).
Metformin’s main effect is to decrease glucose by:
– enhancing the action of insulin in the liver primarily by suppressing hepatic glucogenesis
– increasing glucose intake by the muscle tissue
– increasing glucose metabolism on gut level
However, the most serious potential side effect of metformin use is diabetic ketoacidosis. Metformin has also been reported to decrease the blood levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in people with hypothyroidism.
The combination of vanadyl sulfate, alpha lipoic acid and chromium picolinate assists as glucose and insulin stabilizers.
An athlete using insulin can absorb large amounts of carbohydrates and proteins per meal, leading to remarkable muscle glycogen synthesis (through glycogen synthase enzyme).
Carbohydrates promote vascularity, as a result of the hypertonic environment (higher osmolality), which draws water into the venous system.
Recent studies report that increases in circulating IGF-1 levels are associated with a significantly increased risk for cancer development (prostate, colorectal, breast cancer, melanoma).
Interestingly, an elevated incidence of tumors is observed also in acromegalic patients, who have elevated IGF-1 levels.
Therefore, factors that promote IGF-1 hypersecretion could be linked with carcinogenesis.
These are:
– abuse of somatropin (HGH >8 iu/24h)
– hyper secretion of insulin from pancreas, followed by release of IGF-1 from the liver, as a response to a high caloric meal.
Collectively, low-calorie diet and endurance exercise, which lowers insulin levels, modulate metabolic factors and reduce cancer risk.
The mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of calorie restriction theory on cancer prevention include:
– decreased production of growth factors and anabolic hormones (HGH, IGF-1, insulin, sex steroids)
– decreased plasma concentrations of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins