A guide to bioidentical hormone replacement.

 

Insulin

In contrast to the other hormones of aging that decline as we get older and cause manifestations of the aging process through their lower levels, circulating insulin levels actually increase in many individuals as they age.  This occurs because the tissues that respond to insulin to lower blood sugar levels (liver, muscle, and fat cells) become resistant to its action.  This in turn leads the pancreas to secrete more and more insulin in an attempt to keep the blood sugar at a normal level.  This phenomenon is often called the 'pseudo-diabetes of aging.'

The higher circulating level of insulin sets into motion a cascade of deleterious effects:

 

  • The cells lining the arteries produce higher levels of clotting factors--increasing the risk of a heart attack.

  • Fat is accumulated, particularly in the abdominal region, which in turn makes the tissues more insulin resistant.

  • The higher blood sugar levels increase the accumulation of 'advanced glycation end products ' which can stiffen connective tissue.

  • High insulin levels have also been linked to a higher incidence of certain cancers

If these levels remain high enough for a long period of time, they can kill the insulin producing cells in the pancreas and  cause overt diabetes.

 

One of the keys, therefore, to successful aging is to maintain a high degree of insulin sensitivity so that one's insulin levels stay low along with a low normal blood sugar.  This can be accomplished by maintaining a high percentage of lean muscle mass and low fat mass, particularly around the waist.  Exercise and weight loss are the foundation as well as eating the kinds of carbohydrates that are slowly absorbed into your blood stream in order to cause an insulin surge with each meal.  In addition, low estrogen, testosterone, and growth hormone levels decrease insulin sensitivity, while high cortisol levels cause the same effect.  Replacing estradiol, testosterone, and growth hormone and reducing cortisol raising stress, are additional strategies employed to maintain insulin sensitivity

 

A major focus of any anti-aging program is to keep insulin levels in a low normal range.

 

NEXT: Cortisol