Insulin Resistance

[mzteris]

We FINALLY have a diagnosis on my son's "weight condition" - a metabolic disorder. The SAME DAMN disorder I asked about when we started going to the Pediatric Endocrinologist TWO FRICKING YEARS AGO!!! And he pooh-poohed the idea. Two years with that guy and his "team"... and the final diagnosis for him was "well, he's just built that way"! :banghead:

I raised holy-hell with the program coordinator and they gave us a new team - a woman doctor who'd worked with Native American "diet issues" (my son's African American, but at least she was open to hereditary issues) and - as a bonus - was a vegetarian herself (another "issue" with the old team who kept saying "maybe he should just eat meat".) Anyway, the new doc took one look, ordered up the bloodwork, et voila - there it was. . .

SO - even though we've always eaten VERY healthily - we will be tweaking our food combinations. Ensuring MORE protein at breakfast. Making sure there are three of the four "groups" in every meal. Making sure there are "between meal snacks" - consisting of protein and carb/fiber. Relaxing more on the fat contect (with my older son going away to school - the one with the genetic cholesterol disorder, this will be more doable. Regular cheese, mayo, etc... we may change the milk from skim at some point...)

If anyone has any other food recommendations - please feel free to post!

He's also taking (from our TCM practioner - who also "knew" right away what the problem probably was!) a Multi-vitamin/mineral/herbal/amino supplement designed for sugar metabolism support with every meal along with two cinnamon capsules.

We are also still planning to renew our diet elimination after my older one leaves in a couple of weeks. We'll do a month off wheat and then a month off dairy. We suspect it's the dairy. . . :( His dad screwed up our last diet elimination where we were going to gradually reintroduce one food and then the other, but of course "dad" couldn't be bothered with his "crazy diet"!!!! I even took food over there! At any rate, my son said a few weeks ago that he thinks he "felt better" when we were on the elimination diet (for both at the time) so he's willing to try it again.

Part of me really really hopes there is no food allergy issue because it's such a pain in the ass, but part of me hopes there *is* because then there'd be another answer.

[KittyWampus]

1. There is also Leptin Resistance. Totally related. I'd eat and 1/2 hour later be ravenously hungry.

I also know a good bit about TCM.

It was just my innate capacity to seek out necessary info that I even learned about Leptin Resistance.

There is a lot of good info on Dietary Theory available now. I could recommend some good charts online.

I am finding that the idea of only mixing protein with vegetables OR carbs with vegetables works best. It's very traditional in TCM.

[mzteris]

5. It was a family joke that became "not funny" -

"you're ALWAYS hungry" . . . and he was. Even after eating, he still feels "hungry".

I remember running across something about Leptins when I was doing my research some time back, I'll have to look into it again. (That other doctor basically made me feel like an idiot for having any opinion whatsoever. I'm thinking about writing him a letter telling him about my son's diagnosis!)

I'd appreciate any info you can provide.

[KittyWampus]

11. Book-

The Fat Resistance Diet: Unlock the Secret of the Hormone Leptin to: Eliminate Cravings, Supercharge Your Metabolism, Fight Inflammation, Lose Weight & Reprogram Your Body to Stay Thin by Leo Galland

A significant point of this book underlines the similarity this has to other inflammatory responses our body may have. Thus, you need to eliminate what is causing the inflammation and incorporate foods that fight inflammation.

As for TCM Dietary Theory, you'd need to know how your son's system runs- hot/cold, dry, damp to really utilize TCM Dietary Theory to it's fullest.

[mzteris]

13. Thank you -

I'll look this up.

The inflammation aspect may explain a lot of his aches and pains that he's always had, too.

[Hannah Bell]

2. most people who are overweight are "insulin resistant". the causality is

from overweight to insulin resistance, not insulin resistance to overweight.

exercise, more vegetables/fruits, fewer processed carbs, weight loss.

[Celebration]

18. plenty of thin people with insulin resistance n/t

[Warpy]

3. The Zuni Pueblo here in NM

like other tribes, had long been plagued by terrible rates of metabolic disorder including diabetes among its members. It started an experimental problem with some members going back to the traditional diet of corn, beans, chiles, squash, wild desert plants, and the occasional piece of meat. Weight and metabolism among the people who adhered strictly to this diet returned to normal rather quickly and very dramatically.

It seems the standard European diet is unhealthy for a lot of different groups and even for many Europeans, themselves.

At least you're trying. Back in the 50s, our mothers were convinced our bones would turn to Jello if we didn't get three glasses of milk stuffed down our necks every day. If my mother didn't leave the room long enough for me to get it down the sink, we both had to deal with the digestive consequences. I've never forgiven her for that.

[Odin2005]

15. We often forget that we are genetically adapted to eating what our ancestors ate.

My Northern European ancestors consumed huge amounts of red meat, barley, milk, and beer, Early Germanic peoples were a semi-nomadic cattle culture, livestock and the milk they produced were more important than grain crops before the Middle Ages in Germanic Europe because it was too cold for the varieties of wheat that existed at the time.

[MorningGlow]

4. Insulin resistant here

I second the vote that insulin resistance is a result of being overweight, not a diagnosis in itself, but since your son has a metabolic disorder (did they specify what kind?) and is insulin resistant, it must be dealt with.

You are doing the right things--I especially support the cinnamon capsules. I used to put cinnamon in my coffee and on my ricotta to get my doses. Whatever he enjoys so he'll do what he needs to do willingly.

I'd also suggest going easy on the carbs, and stick to only whole grains. Several small meals a day. Fats, as you said, are not the enemy (as long as they're "good fats" and not overdone). Also, do fruit (also necessary) separate from other types of food.

Kudos to you for persisting, and best of luck to you and your son. It IS a pain in the ass, no way around it. I was obese as a child (before my thyroid issues were diagnosed) and it was pure hell being on a special diet and having to exercise etc. etc. etc. So one hug for your son :hug: and one for you :hug:

[mzteris]

6. actually, it is the other way around for him

according to his doctor. He's African American and the insulin resistance is part of what causes the weight gain for AA's - the body keeps "storing fat" since it's not processing the food properly, and thus always feeling hungry.

Even though he has always eaten healthier than probably 99% of his peer group, and is a dancer and plays football, rides bikes, plays outside - he is NOT a couch potato - his genetic makeup is the root of the problem. However, even with all of his exercise, they want him to add in another 20 minutes of cardio at least 3 x per week, if not every day. Even though he plays football T TH F S and dance M W S (more during performance times) .

Also - we've added 4000 iu's of Vit D per day.

[grasswire]

7. I also caution about the carbs

Best wishes for increasing success for him!

[snagglepuss]

8. Last year after finding out I had very high uric acid, I read a lot about sugars

and how different sugars metabolize differently and what I read relates to insulin resistence. I won't go into great detail but simply suggest you read scientific research on regular fructose and insulin resistence As hard as it is to believe the body reacts the same way to regular fructose as it does to High Fructose Corn Syrup so high consumption of juices and high fructose fruits like raisins should be eaten or drank sparingly by everyone.


For a long time researchers thought fruit posed no problems for diabetics because fructose doesn't affect blood glucose but research has now found that high fructose consumption from any source relates to insulin resistence. Below is one article form U of Florida study that briefly explains the connection.


snip

UF researchers say. Eating too much fructose causes uric acid levels to spike, which can block the ability of insulin to regulate how body cells use and store sugar and other nutrients for energy, leading to obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, said Johnson, the division chief of nephrology and the J. Robert Cade professor of nephrology in the UF College of Medicine. UF researchers first detailed the role of uric acid on insulin resistance and obesity in a 2005 study in rats.

“Certainly we don’t think fructose is the only cause of the obesity epidemic,” Johnson said. “Too many calories, too much junk food and too much high-fat food are also part of the problem. But we think that fructose may have the unique ability to induce insulin resistance and features of the metabolic syndrome that other foods don’t do so easily.”

http://news.ufl.edu/2007/12/12/fructose-2/

[mzteris]

9. My biggest sin was giving him fruit juice for lunches

(and yeah, we cut out HFCS way back when only the "fringe crazies" said it was bad for you!).

He can have fruit, but no juice. And only one fruit at a time - with other foods. And NO SMOOTHIES! The nutritionist said she'd rather he had a milkshake! (go figure!)

[Abq_Sarah]

25. The milkshake

Would be better because the fat content would slow down the digestion of the sugars. Drinking juice is like mainlining sugar.

[mzteris]

28. something like that,

plus the protein.

[nenagh]

10. M. Daniel Lane and colleages at John's Hopkins University..

have written an article "Fructose Metabolism by the Brain Increases Food Intake and Obesity" which indicates that fructose in the brain is metabolized in part via the malonyl-CoA signalling system and that fructose can increase food intake.

Sorry, cannot link.. and I don't even know if there is other conflicting info to this...

Best of luck..

[supernova]

17. I've reached the same conclusions

about fruit in my diet.

i've been really heavy for the last ten years and have not been able to get rid of it. I did moderately on Atkins when I turned 40. But I had to stop because I got a UTI and really went downhill before I found the right medications. I got too skinny then. My appetite was completely switched off. :-( After I started getting well, I started eating coconut milk milkshakes to get my weight back up to a normal level. Then around 2004 I got a very stressful job and really socked on the pounds with inactivity and stress/emotional eating.

About four years ago, I finally decided there was something wrong with me eating wheat-based stuff. Already knew about the lactose intolerance since childhood. All this time, I'm still trying to eat fruit. And not losing any weight, though I am exercising out the wazhoo. Full on hour+ of cardio 4 days a week. Weights 3x/ week. Still the scale wouldn't move.

I wondered if it was my thyroid. :wtf:

Up to today, I've pared down my diet to adequate protein, 4-5 servings of low GI veggies, and ONE fruit/day.

Now, I'm losing about a pound a week. And exercise is spotty at best right now. You tell me.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

12. You may also be interested in:

www.glucotize.com a much more reasonably priced version of this miracle antioxidant can be found at the Vitaminshoppe online. Jarrows formula is what I have used in the past, about 75 percent cheaper and imho just as effective.

[mzteris]

14. I'll take a look.

Thank you.

[supernova]

19. I started taking generic ALA

about a month ago.

I got the WF 400mg tablets. I take one every day with my regular vitamin pill.

[supernova]

20. Correction: 300mg

is what I take.

That will teach me to look at the label before posting. :crazy:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

21. If you have a sugar condition.... I hope you are taking the time

released version. It's important that you do.

[supernova]

22. No I do not

Not at thistime.

I'm trying to keep it from happening.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

26. I had a friend many years ago, he dealt with rather extreme sugar

swings, it was nothing for his to go to 200 to 300 at times, more often than not it seemed. He was taking glucophage I believe and was supposed to be adding actose to the mix though he never did if I remember correctly, didn't understand his doc perhaps.

He came to me with leg pain, issues in the bedroom, (young fellow too) lack of energy etc etc. I explained to him that there were a few things he might consider but that he should go to the proper authorities to check out the stuff I told him about.

Time release Lipoic acid, GTF chromium, Lots of fiber and digestive enzymes with 4x concentrate pancreatin. He did this for a time and seemed to be feeling better after a week or two. He didn't see his specialist for a month or two, perhaps three but continued to go to his gp for monitoring. When he had his test done that indicates what the sugar has been for the last 6 to 8 weeks the numbers were virtually better than someone without sugar.

The pain in his legs had stopped in as little as 4 days and his energy level went through the roof. After a couple of months he went back to see his endo and was read the riot act until he pulled the longterm sugar level test and his endo was dumbfounded. I need to call this fellow and see if things are still going well for him.... I would like to know if I helped make "longterm" improvements in his quality of life.

[Big Blue Marble]

16. As someone who struggled with insulin resistance and

weight, for nearly two decades what helped me was a combination of high intensity interval training (awesome for
burning fat.) and a low glycemic diet.

The low glycemic diet discourages fat storage by minimizing the insulin response to eating.
The HIIT burns fat that you have stored up to nine times faster that normal cardio and in less time,
much less time but with more effort.

Fish oil capsules are also important to reduce inflammation, a big part of insulin resistance.
I have lost over 50 pounds in the last year and one half and more importantly reshaped my post-menopausal body.

Having lost most aLL of my belly fat, my waist is 26" and my waist to hip ratio is a healthy .72.

About 50% of my diet is still carbs, but they are mostly low glycemic fruits, veggies, and sprouted grain breads.
I do enjoy steel cut oats and small portions of lightly cooked pasta as well.

My challenge now, as strange as it seems, is to eat enough to maintain my weight.

[mzteris]

23. High intensity interval training -

is something to look at for those "extra 20 minutes" they want. Of course he also struggles with Osgood Schlatters (better since seeing the acupuncturist, though), achilles tendonitis, and some other "foot thing" whose name I can't tell you. . . so he's nearly always in pain already from his activities. I'm looking for something that won't stress his knees/feet any more.

I had hoped that the Glycemic Diet would be a "magic bullet". Unfortunately, after reading the book, it seems that's the way we eat generally anyway. Although, I am more conscious, now, of making sure there's a low for every "hi".

His being a very active athlete puts him in that different category, too. It's always hard to know if he's genuinely hungry or if his body's just getting that "signal" that he's hungry. Also, as he's in puberty - and extremely muscled - and the docs want to ensure he's still getting "plenty" of calories. It's such a tight line we walk. I hate that "food" is such an issue for him. Sometimes he gets a bit down when his friends are eating NOTHING BUT JUNK JUNK and more JUNK and they're half his size!

We're vegetarians - so fish oil is out, but we recently got him (back) s on flax oil that also has DHA (seaweed) with it.

[Abq_Sarah]

24. The only thing that helps my husband's Insulin resistance

Is a low carb diet.

For him, more carbs = more insulin = more fat. Knowing that, there are only dangerous carbs and less dangerous carbs. None of them are good.

He's Native American and just wasn't built to handle the typical American high carb diet.

[supernova]

27. I'm a typical Euro human

and I have the same issue.

I stick to low GI veggies for the most part. No grains or grain products. Ditto milk. I fell so much better. It's like night and day. Sounds like your hubby has found what works for him too. :thumbsup: