every week, the place i go to bootcamp sends an email with some fitness or eating tips. this week, it was a little different, and i definitely wanted to share it. (names have been changed)
Rather than a tip, this week I would like to share a success story. Several weeks ago Sally took on a new personal training client, Ben, who has been a Type 1 Diabetic most of his life. Since he does not produce insulin on his own, he relies on an insulin pump (insulin is a hormone released in response to increased blood sugar concentration that signals cells to take up sugar from the blood, thus lowering blood sugar levels). As we do with all of our clients, Sally spoke to Ben about his nutrition, and gave him nutritional advice of, among other things, reducing carbohydrate intake. Upon Sally’s direction, Ben cut his carbohydrate intake, specifically eliminating most bread, rice, and potatoes. As a result of this dietary modification, Ben’s need for insulin has been cut in half!!!! This is great news not only because Ben is Type 1 Diabetic, but also because it is very difficult to lose body fat in the presence of insulin, as insulin is a ‘storage’ hormone. When insulin levels are lowered, our bodies favor mobilization of fuel rather than storage of fuel (storage = weight gain; mobilization = weight loss.) So congratulations Ben! It makes us extremely happy to hear a success story such as this; it is why we do what we do!!
i haven't met ben, but i was really surprised at this email (apparently he goes to bootcamp in the morning. i'll pass). wow. HALF? his insulin need has been cut in half! i want to meet him, see what he looks like, i have no idea if he wasn't exercising at all before, etc., but i am just very curious. and impressed!
what do you think?
Wow! This is a really great story. It inspires me to want to work harder and eat healthier!
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to meet him and learn more.
Thanks for sharing.
This is a great story, and thanks so much for sharing it! But I do have a question, and I'm going to demonstrate my lack of knowledge on this topic by asking away: HOW exactly does it reduce one's insulin intake? I fully get the concept of you bolusing less insulin when you're eating fewer or no carbs. And I do get that you could thereby lose weight and lower your insulin needs that way. But does it impact your insulin basal intake more than that, say if you're already "thin" or not in need of losing weight? I don't completely understand... But then again, so much goes over my head. Anyhow, how awesome for you not being the only pumper at Bootcamp!
ReplyDeleteThis makes sense to me! That is why low carb diets work also, plus with working out...it's a good combo!
ReplyDeletewell, what is insulin resistance and how it matters to us is secondary. Every individual who are on the verge of suffering from diabetes should go through basic study on what insulin is and how it acts on our body. This will help us in dealing with it better. I did the same, its simple, just search on google. Or you can check out this article on insulin: http://healthsignal.net/2011/05/insulin/
ReplyDelete