Rethinking Diabetes & Insulin Resistance Elderly people may develop insulin resistance, but insulin resistance is not

limited to the elderly by any means, especially with the preponderance of processed foods, trans fats and the like. Insulin resistance is one the major risk factors for diabetes. Researchers at Yale University School of Medicine say that power plants in muscle cells decline or fail with age. There is more to resolving insulin resistance than admitting failure of cells. Here are the details that you need to help resolve insulin resistance and to take your life back. A typical problem attributed to aging is lower levels of metabolic activity in cellular mitochondria, the "factories" that provide power to cells. Findings suggest that reduced mitochondrial activity underlies insulin resistance, which is a major contributor to type 2 diabetes. 5' adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase is an enzyme that plays a role in cellular energy homeostasis (internal equilibrium by adjusting physiological processes). It consists of three proteins that together make a functional enzyme, conserved from yeast to humans. It is expressed in a number of tissues, including the liver, brain, and skeletal muscle. The net effect of AMPK activation is stimulation of hepatic (liver) fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis (process by which ketone bodies are produced as a result of fatty acid breakdown), inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, lipogenesis, and triglyceride synthesis (a common approach of pharmaceuticals), inhibition of adipocyte lipolysis and lipogenesis (an approach by some diet products), stimulation of skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation and muscle glucose uptake (for example, through exercise), and modulation of insulin secretion (another aspect under heavy research) by pancreatic beta-cells. Certain medicines try to deal with the projected causes of this cellular energy problem, but at best are solutions that enrich the pharmaceutical industry without a true solution to the problem. The best solution suggested toward energy imbalances that are chemically created through imbalance is exercise. That is why you hear the constant beating drum about exercise. Its free, even if it isnt easy. Upon retirement, many persons simply recede into a routine of sitting and watching television. By this time, at least 40% of the elderly

already have glucose tolerance issues resulting from faulty diet of the past and a sedentary lifestyle, either at the office or at home. The hormone insulin promotes the transfer of glucose in the blood into cells for energy production and storage. This is why so many gain weight during treatment with insulin. Instead of spending time standing and walking, they are sitting which magnifies the fat storage issue. Mitochondria within the cells convert glucose and fatty acids into energy via oxidation through muscle tissue. The importance of standing and weight bearing activities cannot be overstated for those that have use of their legs. This is a lifestyle issue that can be resolved by anyone that wants a better quality life through normal activities. Insulin resistance in muscle and liver tissue can result from accumulation of fat and fatty acid metabolites through inactivity, notably extensive sitting. Over time, this health issue simply builds due to a sedentary lifestyle. Scientists see the addition of weight over time as the culprit. The factors that bring the weight on over time are the real culprit. A sedentary lifestyle at home and office coupled with the consumption of food that is heavily processed and denuded from nutrients and antioxidants is the real culprit. Sitting in a cubicle in Corporate America isnt helping the situation. Collapsing in exhaustion at the end of the day results from the constant onslaught of stress and poor nutrition. As a result, the physical processes of the body are continually degraded through the years. Lipids build up in muscle cells from the lack of use. The mitochondria in cells wind down over the years through lack of use and again, through lack of sufficient nutrition. Scientists suppose that exercise leads to more mitochondria by activation of AMP kinase through an active healthy lifestyle. Through staying active, researchers say that the elderly might well able to maintain mitochondrial content and head off health problems. Researchers suggest that a basic defect lies within the mitochondria, which are the energy factories inside cells that produce most of the chemical power needed to sustain life. Fructose has been used more and more in the production of processed food and notably in soft drinks and other beverages. Fructose is much more readily metabolized to fat in the liver than glucose is and in the process can lead to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have both reached epidemic proportions worldwide with the global adoption of the westernized diet along with increased consumption of fructose, stemming from the wide and increasing use of high-fructose corn syrup sweeteners. A diet high in fructose leads to high blood levels of triglycerides, non alcoholic fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. Genes play a role in metabolizing these sugars, as well as regulation of hormones. For example, those that show signs of insulin resistance in research had fewer numbers of mitochondria and lower expression of what science calls the PARL gene. Science is looking at genes as the next playing field of medicine. Science prefers to think of genes as static and unchangeable, but epigenetics proves that genes are modified through behavior and belief as much as through nutrition and medication.

Most researchers look at the hormone insulin as the chief way to repair the musclediabetes connection instead of looking at affecting the mitochondria in muscle tissue. Instead they have looked to a lesser known function of insulin which is necessary for muscle growth, increasing blood flow through muscle tissue, encouraging nutrients to disperse from blood vessels and itself serving as a biochemical signal to boost muscle protein synthesis and cell proliferation. The problem is a sedentary lifestyle and lack of activity. Researchers are heralding insulin as a real solution to the problem. But weve already been down that sad road. The nutrients that surge into the muscles must have activity to keep from being stored. Two problems remain: getting the nutrition to the right place and then getting that nutrition into cells that are resistant. As a result, nothing is accomplished. Science is chasing its tail. Many people, because of a poor diet, poor digestion or high levels of stress, fail to supply their cells with enough of essential nutrients. As a result, their energy production slows and symptoms such as fatigue and immune dysfunction can occur. You are a precious resource. It's best not to wait until you are old to help yourself. In fact, getting help from health authorities is often difficult as age progresses. In Britain, for example, only twothirds of the care recommended for older people was actually received. There are similar problems in most modern societies. What do you do if you are already behind the eight ball through years of sedentary lifestyle and living without considering what you put into your body? That is, after all, a modern lifestyle that has been promoted: a life with fast pace, self-indulgence, fast food and customer service for what you think you want right now. Despite the past, you still have options that can help. DHEA is a nitric oxide precursor that assists in energy production. In the vascular system, nitric oxide acts as a dilator, expanding arterial walls and lowering blood pressure. In the central nervous system, however, nitric oxide generates free-radical byproducts that contribute to myelin destruction and the loss of nerve function (Smith KJ et al 2002). The picture is complicated, however, by the fact that nitric oxide also has good effects, including modulating the immune system (Smith KJ et al 2002). Studies hoping to manipulate nitric oxide production have yielded mixed results in people and research is ongoing. DHEA levels in the body begin to decrease after age 30, and are reported to be low in some people with anorexia, end-stage kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, AIDS, adrenal insufficiency, and in the critically ill. DHEA levels may also be depleted by a number of drugs, including insulin, corticosteroids, opiates, and danazol. Since most doctors dont understand the use of DHEA and will tell you that use is not recommended for regular use without supervision by a licensed health professional. Good luck convincing a doctor to go down that road with you. There is a better option. Cayenne pepper and other peppers, as food or supplements, are a much better and safer option, although use as food is better since the mouth prepares the stomach to digest the pepper more effectively. There is evidence that capsaicin from cayenne and other chili

peppers may inhibit the growth of fat cells by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is found in muscle and other human tissue. AMPK has been found to regulate eating behavior and energy expenditure, and AMPK activation also stimulates hepatic and skeletal muscle fatty acid oxidation. Cayenne and other hot peppers boost your metabolism, increasing oxygen and energy, as well as producing antioxidant activity. It helps to decrease pain levels and fights fatigue. Cayenne pepper, as a medicinal and nutritional herb, has beta carotene, capsaicin, lutein, amino acids, essential fatty acids, calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, and E. This list of nutrients has a direct impact on aging and health. Even sweet red peppers have been found to contain substances that significantly increase thermogenesis and oxygen consumption for more than 20 minutes after they are eaten. Cayenne pepper is a hypoglycemic agent and helps with neuropathy and associated discomforts. It helps with elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, nerve inflammation and infection. Cayenne tends to neutralize most toxins. It magnifies the effects and longevity of vitamin C in your body. You can create a salve with one teaspoon of powered cayenne pepper to five tablespoons of melted petroleum jelly. This salve can also be used to treat nerve discomfort and helps with poor circulation. You can make a cayenne tea by using a teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper to a cup of hot water. This has been used to stop heart attacks cold, a known heart healer. All of these peppers have direct benefit toward weight reduction when combined with other goals toward reduced weight, all with the benefit of increased nutrition and beneficial health effects. Vitamins and minerals are another realistic approach to dealing with energy problems in your body. Folate or folic acid is needed for energy production and the formation of red blood cells. It is particularly important for those with sickle cell anemia. Folate is also considered a brain food to help prevent depression and anxiety. Folate is also important in the regulation of homocysteine levels in the blood stream. High homocysteine levels are usually associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Adequate supplies of folate with B6 and B12 help to prevent a buildup of homocysteine levels in the blood. Magnesium is vital for energy production. It also aids in calcium and potassium uptake. Adequate supplies of magnesium in your diet can help to prevent depression, dizziness, muscle weakness, muscle twitching, and PMS. Magnesium is also extremely important is helping the body maintain a proper pH balance and body temperature. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is involved in at least three hundred separate metabolic functions. It protects the body from cancer, environmental pollutants, infections, and atherosclerosis. It works synergistically with vitamin E and beta-carotene to help improve cognitive abilities especially as a person ages.

Flax seed oil and purified fish oil are "good" unsaturated fats rich in EFA's. When added to your diet, food utilization and energy production are enhanced and less fat is deposited in arteries and stored as fat. The richest source of Omega 3 fatty acids is flax seed oil with 55-65% Omega 3 and 15-25% Omega 6 fatty acids. Omega 6 fatty acids are essential but are less likely to be deficient in the American diet.
The copyright of the article Solutions for Diabetes & Insulin Resistance is owned by John Greene. Permission to republish this article in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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