Why Do Some Bodybuilders Take Insulin?

Does Insulin Stimulate Muscle Growth?

You probably heard about insulin before. It’s the hormone that’s released when you eat those tasty carbohydrates and that makes you fat. At least, that is what all your diet books have told you right? But if insulin is so bad for your physique, then why do bodybuilders inject insulin? Well I’m glad you asked. Insulin 101 One of the main functions of insulin is too keep your blood sugar under control. Your body can become resistant to insulin and this results in diabetes. In recent years, insulin has gotten a bad name as ‘’the evil storage hormone’’. Insulin is demonised as a hormone that stores the food you eat as body fat and prevents your body from using body fat as a fuel. This is principle where most low carb diets are based upon: eating less carbs results in less insulin release, which results in less body fat. While that sounds nice in theory, things are nowhere near as simple as that. A topic I’m sure I’ll be talking a lot about in the future. So a lot of people are afraid of insulin because they think it’s bad for their health and weight. Yet many dedicated gym rats intentionally try to increase insulin levels through food strategies or even injections because they think it will help them build muscle mass. But are they right or wrong? Insulin and building muscle Chances are if you have the guts to read one of my research reviews, you’ve been reading about fitness for a while. In that case, I’m wondering what you currently believe the effect of insulin is on building muscle? Is it extremely effectively, totally useless, somewhere in between? Second question: how sure are you of your answer? Because not all scientists agree with each other on this question. Simply because there’s quite a few studies saying it’s working, but just as man Continue reading >>

Insulin As A Drug Of Abuse In Body Building

It is well publicised that a substantial proportion of professional and amateur body builders have been, or actively are, engaged in pharmacological manipulation of their physiological status in order to become more competitive in their field. Athletes are routinely subjected to drug testing, and, as the number of drugs that are detectable increases, some athletes may be tempted by newer, less well proven, but undetectable drugs, as illustrated over the past decade with the use of erythropoietin and growth hormone. As tests are developed to detect their use, there is greater pressure to find alternative drugs. CASE REPORT A 31 year old man presented to the emergency department having been found unconscious at home. On arrival he was diaphoretic, breathing spontaneously, with a Glasgow coma score of 6/15 (no eye opening, no speech, withdrawing to pain). Initial observations included respiratory rate of 20, pulse of 100, blood pressure 165/75 mm Hg, oxygen saturations 96% on 10 litres O2, and the bedside glucometer reading was “low” (confirmed as blood glucose 0.6 mmol/l). He was treated intravenously with 50 ml 50% dextrose, with immediate clinical improvement. Investigations performed at admission subsequently showed respiratory acidosis (pH 7.26, Pco2 9.9, Po2 11.5) and biochemical evidence of dehydration (urea 11.4 mmol/l). After the improvement in his clinical condition, we established that he was not a diabetic but was in fact a body builder who was dieting before a competition. He stated that he regularly used insulin three times a week to help increase his muscle bulk, but the previous day he had used a different type of insulin (fast acting) from usual. He also admitted to concurrent use of “steroids”. He was admitted to our observation ward where he made Continue reading >>

The Facts About Insulin

Insulin is one of the most misunderstood hormones in your body. There are some diet plans that say to keep it as low as possible and there are some bodybuilders who want a lot of it, there are those who inject it for survival but the wrong dosage can send you into a coma. Is insulin as deadly as some say it is? What is the real truth? In this article I’ll separate fact from fiction so you can determine for yourself if this is the cause of all evil in your body or what can help you perform at your peak. What is it? Insulin is one of the most powerful hormones in the body. For starters, it regulates the carbohydrates, fats and proteins that are in the blood. When there is too much sugar (glucose) in the blood the body will regulate this by causing the pancreas to produce insulin. The insulin will then lower the glucose level by absorbing it into the body. This is something that is necessary, since too much glucose in the blood can be toxic. The body can also make insulin if too much protein is detected in the blood. The glucose can be stored as glycogen in the muscles and liver. When the blood glucose levels fall, the body can convert the glycogen back to glucose and use it as energy. The insulin can also cause the excess glucose to be stored in your adipose (fat) tissue as excess body fat. When insulin levels spike too quickly, usually it will be the fat tissue that will absorb the extra glucose. This is why you don’t want too much sugar when you are trying to lose weight. Insulin and Weight Loss Yes… insulin is very good at creating stored fat, so if you are trying to lose weight you need to keep your insulin levels in check. That is a fact, but what the heck causes this fat gain to happen? The reason insulin is very good at increasing body fat is because it doesn Continue reading >>

The Role Of Insulin In Building Muscle (and Bodybuilding)

The Role of Insulin in Building Muscle (and Bodybuilding) Insulin is a hormone recognized most widely for its role in regulating blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels in the body. When glucose levels rise after eating, the pancreas releases insulin in order to drive glucose into the liver, muscles, and fat cells. Generally, high insulin levels cause a decrease in muscle and fat breakdown and a corresponding increase in muscle building and fat storage. This is why insulin is classified as an anabolic hormone. As a result, the role insulin in muscle hypertrophy and growth has been a topic of interest for the past few decades. This article will explore two controlled uses of insulin: (1) timing meals in order to manipulate the release of natural insulin and (2) injecting supplemental insulin. In order to maximize your bodys natural insulin response, eating before and after strength training is critical. Eating before your workout not only fuels your body for the task ahead, but also releases insulin, which will decrease catabolism (destructive metabolism) and prevent muscle breakdown. After your training, eating within 30 minutes will replace muscle glycogen (carbohydrate stores) and promote muscle repair and growth of tissue damaged during exercise. Both meals/snacks should contain at least 2-3 servings of carbohydrates AND protein, such as Greek yogurt with granola or a turkey sandwich. Protein shakes and bars can also be good options when whole food is not a convenient option. Training on an empty stomach can leave you feeling weak and easily fatigued during your workout, and skipping your post-workout meal will result in decreased muscle synthesis and increased soreness. Even for the amateur strength trainer, nutrient timing can help maximize the bodys natural insulin Continue reading >>

Insulin

Insulin History and Overview: When it comes to hormones and supplements that are ustilized for maximum aeffect, one of the most popular kinds in the professional bodybuilding circles as well as medical circles is insulin. It has a tremendous amount of benefits that can help people in so many ways, but despite this fact, there are those that take matters into their own hands and use the likes of insulin to maximize gains and make muscle-related strides that just wouldn’t be possible otherwise. It should be noted that compared to other sorts of hormones, insulin is extremely powerful. Given that it’s an anabolic, it can create tissue rather easily, but it should be noted that it is used exogenously by those that cannot normally produce it, but when it is used by athletes, it’s strictly for the purpose of building lean tissue. It is a very dangerous hormone when abused, so any use, recreational or otherwise should be strongly cautioned regardless of the circumstances. Similar to the use of injectable testosterone and other hormones, the first synthesized examples of insulin use were back in the 1920s. Back then, most insulin was extracted from the pancreases of cattle and dogs. One of the major issues, however, was the fact that these samples were often not very pure, making purity control a problem that could have dire consequences. But regardless of purity issues, people were willing to risk infection or death during this time period. Insulin treatment was often the only recourse people with diabetes had, and of course, diabetes without insulin treatment can mean terrible health issues and even death. This is primarily why by the 1970s, when the purity issues with insulin were solved, it was a major milestone for not only insulin but other exogenous treatments in g Continue reading >>

Bodybuilders And Insulin

The practice of non-diabetic athletes injecting themselves with insulin is apparently also being embraced by track-and-fielders and other athletes seeking to build endurance, says Dr. Warren Willey, a physician specializing in family and sports medicine. The southeastern Idaho doctor became aware of the problem several years ago when he saw a non-diabetic weightlifter pass out outside a restaurant. Willey ran back into the restaurant, grabbed some packets of sugar and poured them into the young man's mouth. The bodybuilder recovered and acknowledged taking insulin, which he said had helped him gain about 10 pounds and increase muscle fullness. After writing a firsthand account of the experience in the Physician and Sportsmedicine magazine, Willey has gotten inquiries from patients on how and whether to take insulin and from physicians asking about how patients abuse the hormone. Up to 10% of bodybuilders may be using insulin, according to a recent report in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Bodybuilders openly discuss how to use it on muscle-building sites on the Internet, where advertisers also sell insulin and the syringes to inject it, and several cases of comas and fainting have been reported in medical journals. Roberto Marcelletti, a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder in Jersey City, N.J., wrote to Ironman magazine to protest the "largest and most shredded competitors" he'd ever competed against in a 2001 bodybuilding competition. "I know GH [growth hormone] and insulin are being used and are undetected by urine samples," he wrote. In a recent telephone interview, Marcelletti said he believes that the use of insulin is growing, putting him at a disadvantage in competitions because he never uses it. "It's being pushed upon amateurs," Marcelletti sai Continue reading >>

The Insulin Advantage

Here's what you need to know... If you think bulking and cutting are seasonal, think again. By controlling your insulin you can allow your body to build muscle and burn fat daily. Muscle is made of protein. To build muscle, your body must synthesize more protein than it catabolizes. Insulin is responsible for muscle growth and the storage of muscle glycogen. Excess insulin production will lead to the storage of body fat and the inhibition of fat burning. To build muscle and burn fat on the same day, manipulate your insulin production by consuming carbs strategically. Prioritize carb consumption around workout time. Daily Manipulation Forget the idea of the seasonal "bulking" and "cutting" phases that the newbies love to talk about. Instead, bulk and cut throughout the day, maximizing muscle gains while controlling body fat. How? By manipulating insulin. Depending on your background, you probably think of insulin as either the anabolic Holy Grail or the natural enemy of fat loss. Which is it? Insulin is Like a Weapon It's human nature to label something as good or bad, but this myopic outlook often does us more harm than good. Those wanting fat loss call insulin the "bad" hormone that's making us chubby by inhibiting fat burning and increasing fat storage. Those wanting muscle growth call insulin the anabolic and anti-catabolic phenomenon. How can one hormone be a fat boy's nemesis and a skinny boy's best defense? The truth is, insulin is like a weapon: it can hurt you or help you. And the good news is we can accurately predict how insulin will act. Know Your Opponent Insulin is an anabolic hormone. In fact, it's even more anabolic than growth hormone. The problem? It's indiscriminately anabolic and doesn't care whether it helps with the building of muscle or the accumul Continue reading >>

Insulin Insight: The All-important Hormone Insulin Can Be Your Best Friend Or Worst Nightmare

What’s one of the most written and talked-about hormones in the body, yet one that utterly confuses the average person? Insulin. As the hormone that drives glucose into cells (including muscles), it used to be discussed only in regard to diabetes. But insulin is so much more than a mechanism for controlling glucose; because it’s highly anabolic, it’s critical for bodybuilders. Insulin Factor Yet insulin has a dark side, too: It increases the storage of bodyfat. Fact is, you need to spike insulin to grow but also blunt it to stay lean. It can all get a bit confusing, and it’s high time we set the record straight. Make sure you know all the facts about insulin specifically, how and when to use it and avoid it to build a lean, muscular physique. Our insider’s guide will give you all the must-know details. Getting To Know Insulin Insulin is actually a functional protein very similar to growth hormone. Like all other proteins, it’s a chain of amino acids, but the way insulin’s chains are folded makes it act as a signaling mechanism. Here’s how it works: When you eat carbs and/or protein, insulin is produced by and released from the pancreas, enters the bloodstream and travels to various tissues, including muscle. Muscle fibers (or cells) are lined with insulin receptors, which resemble a docking station. Once an insulin molecule “docks” onto the receptor, it signals the muscle cell to open “gates” that allow glucose, amino acids and creatine to enter the muscle. It also instigates biochemical reactions in the muscle that increase protein synthesis the building of muscle tissue from the amino acids that are entering the cells. But wait, there’s more: Insulin also reduces muscle breakdown, further promoting growth. So if insulin is so important for bu Continue reading >>

The Role Of Insulin In Bodybuilding

Not too long ago, insulin would only be brought up in a discussion if the theme was diabetes. This is because insulin is the hormone that transports glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, and diabetes consists of the loss of ability to control blood glucose levels. However, insulin is much more than a mere hormone that controls glucose. For starters, it is highly anabolic, which also means it is essential to build muscle tissue. Nonetheless, insulin has a bit of a dark side as well, since it can make us store more fat. Therefore, the challenge is to learn how to boost insulin secretion, to optimize the recovery from trainings and to boost the muscle growth process, while preventing it from making us store more fat at the same time. What is insulin? Insulin is a protein that is produced and secreted by the pancreas whenever we have carbohydrates, protein, or both (provided that the pancreas is working properly, that is). However, unlike proteins, that act as building blocks of the muscles, insulin is a functional protein, much like growth hormone. Just like all other proteins, insulin consists of a series of chained amino acids. However, the way this chain is lined up makes it act as a signaling mechanism, rather than as a building block. How does insulin work? Secreted by the pancreas, insulin goes into the bloodstream and is carried to several tissues, including the muscle tissue. Muscle fibres (or cells) are surrounded by insulin receptors, a little like a docking station. Once the insulin molecules get in contact with the receptor, it signals the muscle cells to open their “doors”, allowing glucose, amino acids, and creatine to penetrate the muscles. This process is one of the main reasons why insulin is so important in the muscle building process. Moreover Continue reading >>

Does Taking Insulin Make You A Better Bodybuilder If You Have Diabetes?

BodyBuilding, Insulin and Diabetes If you’re into bodybuilding you’ll be aware that injectable insulin is often used in conjunction with anabolic steroids to maximise muscle growth and recovery. As a type 1 diabetic, natural bodybuilders and the general public can mistakenly assume you have an unfair bodybuilding and muscle growth advantage due to the fact you administer injectable insulin post workout similarly to non-diabetic bodybuilders using insulin as an anabolic aid to facilitate the delivery of carbohydrate, amino acids and other nutrients like creatine into muscle cells. TAKING INSULIN AS A DIABETIC (OR NON-DIABETIC) DOES NOT GIVE YOU AN ADVANTAGE TO BODYBUILDING. Bodybuilders with type 1 diabetes can face an uphill battle when it comes to getting in shape. Exogenous insulin is given as medication to supplement their complete lack of endogenous (internal) insulin production. Check out the short video below. I discuss the common myth that type 1 diabetic bodybuilders are at a muscle building advantage. I also share with you key strategies I use to increase protein synthesis and reduce the catabolic effect of hyperglycemia – a common side effect of poorly controlled diabetes. Continue reading >>

Bodybuilders Risk Death By Using Insulin Booster Bought From Diabetics | The Independent

Diabetics are selling their life-saving insulin to bodybuilders who use the drug as a performance booster. The black market in the diabetes drug is revealed in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which says nearly one in 10 bodybuilders may be using insulin to increase stamina and muscle tone. Doctors warned that bodybuilders risk serious injury and even death by taking insulin. Dr Richard Lynch, an A&E consultant at Pontefract General Hospital in Yorkshire, investigated the problem after he treated a 32-year-old bodybuilder who collapsed into a coma after taking insulin. Sharing the full story, not just the headlines "The man was brought into casualty unconscious last year," Dr Lynch said. "We assumed he was a diabetic who had overdosed but when he came round he admitted he was a bodybuilder and had been taking a friend's insulin to enhance his performance. He said it was a common practice. "Even after collapsing in a coma, he was not going to stop using insulin." Insulin is available only on prescription but the regulations allow diabetics to access repeat supplies over the counter at pharmacies. Dr Lynch said: "Some diabetics are buying more insulin than they need and selling it on. It is a secretive process, so we don't know how much it is being sold for, but we know it is going on." One fitness instructor told Dr Lynch that 10 per cent of the bodybuilders he knew were taking insulin. It helps to build muscle by increasing the storage of carbohydrates and amino acids. If taken with glucose, or sugary food and drink, it also increases energy supplies and improves stamina. The prescription insulin is undetectable from naturally produced insulin, so anti-doping tests at contests will not pick it up. But doctors have warned that insulin use can be fatal for non-dia Continue reading >>

The Bodybuilder’s Guide To Using Insulin Effectively

Insulin is one of the most crucial hormones around when it comes to building a better physique. It plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, and is a critical player in the minutes and hours immediately following your workout. Hence, it is frequently mentioned in articles but not often explained. Here is the mini playbook on insulin. What it is Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas, and has a significant role in the regulation of fat and carbohydrates metabolism. Insulin enhances the uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle, liver, and fat tissue. Play Video Play Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% Remaining Time -0:00 This is a modal window. Foreground --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Opaque Background --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window --- White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan --- Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Default Monospace Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Sans-Serif Casual Script Small Caps Defaults Done Although it is commonly thought that insulin is just a fat storage hormone or anti-catabolic hormone (both accurate), this is an overly simplistic view. Insulin also plays an important role in reducing appetite. In addition without insulin, a lot of the processes that occur in the body will go unregulated. For instance, breakdown of muscle protein will accelerate via a process known as proteolysis. The elevated protein in the blood is then converted to glucose, a process known as gluconeogenesis, and the end result is hyperglycemia. Lypolysis (the breakdown of fat) will also go unabated resulting in excess Continue reading >>

Insulin For Bodybuilders

Insulin is a peptide hormone that is secreted by the pancreas. It regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat in the body, and promotes protein synthesis and glucose utilization. Designed for use by people with insulin disorders such asPCOS, Insulinoma, metabolic syndrome and diabetes mellitus, biosynthetic "human" insulin is taken by injection. Video of the Day Insulin helps to volumize each cell. This is why insulin is considered to have an anabolic effect. Bodybuilders take it to increase stamina and improve endurance. Additionally, it is used to increase muscle bulk because it stimulates glycogen formation, which feeds the muscles during a workout. Finally, insulin works to prevent the breakdown of muscle protein, which also helps a person bulk up with muscle. How To Use Typically, users inject insulin three times daily -– immediately upon awakening, mid-day, and then immediately following a workout -- for a total of 15 to 45 IUs. The three types of insulin used the most include Humalin “N,” Humalin “R,” and Humalog. Each of these is used at different times of the day and at different times during the bulking cycle. The injection may be done intravenously, subcutaneously, or intramuscularly. The most common site of injection is the abdomen. High-glycemic index foods such as jelly beans, honey, glucose tablets, maltose, or dates are consumed with the injection to prevent the blood glucose level from going too low. In addition, a very rigorous diet must be followed to see the benefits and to decrease the risks involved. Improper use of insulin can lead to the person developing diabetes mellitus, long-term organ damage, coma, or death. Symptoms of insulin shock include sweating, a clammy feeling, paleness, hunger, anxiety, trembling, rapid heartbeat, fa Continue reading >>

Insulin 101

OK, I want to talk about insulin here. I'm going to talk about how to use it properly, the different types, and what to expect from it. But first and foremost I'm going to talk about safety. Insulin is nothing to fuck around with, and if you're fairly new to the world of performance enhancement and/or nutrition and training, don't even consider doing something like insulin!! Insulin can kill you quick. I'm talking about a dirt nap within a couple hours if you're not careful. HOWEVER, there are really only a couple ways you can fuck it up. The biggest way to fuck up insulin is incorrect measurement. If I tell you to take 5 units of insulin and you load up 5cc's as you would a steroid shot, or even load up 5 units as you would a GH shot, you are probably going to die. 5 units of insulin means 5 tiny little lines or “clicks” on an insulin syringe. It will look like hardly anything in the needle, this is powerful shit and it doesn't take much at all to do it's job. The second biggest way to fuck up insulin is to not eat properly after administering it. As a general rule, for every 1 unit of insulin you inject, you need to take 10 grams of carbohydrates with it. This needs to be done within 15 minutes of injecting insulin. Depending on what type of insulin you use, you will want another meal within 60-90 minutes after that, and that will be a solid meal including fats, proteins, and carbs. After getting familiar with insulin and how your body reacts to it, you may find you can change the ratio to 7 grams carbs/ unit of insulin, or may need to raise it slightly, but for a first time insulin user, 10 grams/unit minimum, and err on the side of overkill at first!!! Fast Acting Insulins OK, now let's get into the different types of insulin and what to expect. The first time I Continue reading >>

Fight Diabetes Using Bodybuilding

Many people with the terrible illness of diabetes do not realize how much they can benefit from following a bodybuilding lifestyle. In this article, I'll point out what the top benefits are for following a healthy bodybuilding lifestyle if you suffer from diabetes. What is Diabetes? Diabetes comes in two forms: Type 1 Diabetes: With this type, people need to take insulin injections so this is often called "insulin dependent diabetes". Insulin is the hormone responsible for delivering the nutrients (carbs, proteins, and fats) into the muscle cells and is essential for energy production from the glucose (carbs) that come from food. The pancreas is the organ responsible for this hormone's production. Unfortunately, Type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented as it is a result of an autoimmune reaction that causes the cells in the pancreas to stop working. Typically, this happens on the early ages between 8-12 (though cases have been reported where it happens much later). Type 2 Diabetes: This type requires no need for insulin shots as it is caused by the cells' reduced capability to let insulin in and do its job. This condition is called insulin insensitivity or low insulin sensitivity. When the cells reject the hormone insulin, then not only does the person get lousy energy production but also starts to get fat due to the fact that since the nutrients cannot be delivered to the appropriate tissues, then they just get stored. In addition, once the body notices that the cells are not having adequate insulin uptake, then it starts to increase its insulin production in an attempt to compensate. This only worsens the problem as cells become even more resistant and body fat continues to increase from anything that the person eats. Fight Diabetes Using Bodybuilding A healthy bodybuildin Continue reading >>