For years the government has urged doctors to order certain tests like cholesterol, A1C, Vitamin D, but the most interesting lab they suggested was fasting insulin. Why insulin if we are already doing A1C as that should be enough. A1C provides an average picture of blood glucose over approximately the previous 2 to 3 months but it does not capture every fluctuation in blood sugar or necessarily reveal early changes in insulin sensitivity. Fasting insulin provides additional information about how hard the pancreas is working to maintain normal blood glucose levels. In fact, fasting insulin will tell you years before it even shows up in blood test if you are headed toward diabetes type 2, GERD, and hypertension. In fact, fasting insulin may be one of the best numbers to follow for overall body inflammation.
The lab often says the fasting insulin range is between 3-25 but if you’re looking at the optimal health range to stay away from a number of diseases the range is 3-5. As insulin increases it means you are developing insulin resistance. Which means if I normally need 3 units of insulin to get 1 unit of glucose into a cell, I now may need 8-10 units. I have seen levels into the 60s to get 1 unit of glucose into a cell. We call it insulin resistance. If you want to decrease insulin in your body increase your protein. Protein tends to decrease fasting insulin. It’s easy to diagnose people with high insulin levels as they will have normal sized arms and legs but very pronounced bellies. Insulin says store fat centrally when you increased protein diabetes type 2 risk goes down. When you increase protein more nitric oxide is made by the body so the blood vessels expand dropping blood pressure. When you increase protein, it absorbs the hydrochloric acid in the stomach which reduces the instances of GERD.
But what is a real shocker to me is that diabetics who are on insulin shots or have an insulin pump have a greater risk of cancer development and if treated for cancer a greater chance of cancer reoccurrence because insulin acts on a cancer cell like gasoline on a fire.
A patient told me of being in a cancer ward at a hospital and everyday they brought a cart around filled with candy, ice cream, milkshakes, etc. She asked why because I thought sugar increased insulin? Well, the RN said “Well they need the sugar to help increase their energy”. My thought was they probably need more patients so giving them a lot of sugar will help their bottom line. Excuse me I digress!
Studies have shown that diabetes and poorly controlled blood sugar are key modifiers for cancer risk, treatment tolerance, and survival. Studies show that diabetes type 2 is an associated with increased cancers. Pancreatic, liver, colorectal, and endometrial cancer and overall cancer mortality.
In a diet plan to lower insulin I suggest 1 gram of protein for every 2 pounds of body weight. Not exceeding 100 grams of protein a day.
8 grams of meat, chicken, or fish = 30 grams of protein
6 grams meat, chicken, or fish = 15 grams of protein
1 egg= 8 grams of protein. The most protein the body can absorb at one time is 30 grams. Wait 3 to 4 hours before eating more.
If using a protein supplement, I do not recommend already to drink protein because they are loaded with hydrogenated oils which is not good for patients with cancer. If using a powder protein use a clean protein concentrate. Protein isolates will not lower insulin. If in the ingredient list of the product they mention any type of oil like sunflower oil, MCT oil, etc do not use. When you turn the oil into powder you hydrogenate the oil.
I see many cancer patients and they have all have said their doctor has told them the same thing which is “Eat whatever you want, enjoy your life.” The evidence is out there you need to watch your diet. It could be killing you!
– John Young, MD - 727-545-4600, YoungFoundationalHealth.com
