Lecture Notes on Reversing Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin's Role

Key Points:

• Reversal of Type 2 Diabetes:

  • The concept of reversing type 2 diabetes was introduced in "The Diabetes Code" (2018).
  • American Diabetes Association acknowledged it as a reversible disease in 2021.
  • Remission criteria were established.

• Insulin's Role:

  • Insulin is a natural hormone crucial for energy storage and regulation.
  • High or low levels of insulin can be detrimental, similar to other hormones like thyroid hormone.
  • Purpose of insulin:
    • Signals the body to store energy.
    • Important for survival, especially in food scarcity scenarios.
    • Insulin promotes storage in the form of body fat, acting as a calorie reservoir.

Hormonal Regulation:

• Insulin and Energy Storage:

  • Insulin inhibits lipolysis (fat breakdown) and glycogenolysis (glycogen breakdown).
  • Stops burning glucose and fat by promoting storage when insulin levels rise.
  • Energy balance is maintained by storing calories when eating.

• Insulin and Fat Burning:

  • Lower insulin levels are necessary for burning stored sugar and fat.
  • When insulin drops, the body utilizes internal energy stores (sugar and fat).

Energy Balance and Caloric Intake:

• Impact of High Insulin Levels on Caloric Balance:

  • High insulin levels hinder the burning of calories regardless of intake reduction.
  • Reducing caloric intake without lowering insulin leads to reduced metabolic rate.
  • High carbohydrate intake and frequent eating keep insulin levels elevated.

• Role of Fasting and Insulin Reduction:

  • Fasting allows insulin levels to decrease, removing blocks on fat and sugar burning.
  • Balanced energy equation: Eating 1500 calories, extracting 500 from fat stores, maintaining 2000 calorie burning rate.

Conclusion:

• To effectively burn fat, insulin levels must be managed by avoiding high carbohydrate intake and incorporating fasting.
• Allowing insulin levels to decrease enables the body to utilize stored energy efficiently.