Browse: Home / Insulin / Beware the insulin boomerang sets off diabetes

Menu

Skip to content
  • About
  • Better Body Chemistry School
  • Book a health conversation
  • Speaking query
  • The “Big” Spoons
Header image

BBC

Small things can make a big difference to your health

advertisement

Menu

Skip to content
  • Home
  • Free Resources
    • 31 days to Better Body Chemistry
    • Willpower Report
    • Weight loss e-course
    • The ups and downs of insulin resistance
    • Candy Floss Boards
    • Weight tracker
  • Library
  • Shop
  • Baobab Adventures
  • Lucky dip
  • Buy me a coffee
  • Video gallery
  • Contact

Beware the insulin boomerang sets off diabetes

Posted by Dr Sandy on in Insulin | 934 Views | 1 Response

insulin under attack from insulin degrading enzymesDiabetes makes it into most school curriculum as the disease you get when you don’t have enough insulin. But there are two types of diabetes : type 1 and type 2. Both have a problem with insulin, but the problem is very different.

In type 1 diabetics, the pancreas just doesn’t bother making the stuff.

In type 2, the pancreas actually makes the stuff in truck loads, but none of the cells in the body care. They simple ignore the insulin. This state of affairs is described as being insulin resistant, alternative terms used to describe the condition, include metabolic syndrome or if you want to be a little more dramatic – syndrome X.

If insulin is the problem, then insulin must be the solution.

Well that is how the thinking goes.

The insulin solution

Many of the medicines used to treat diabetics strive to increase insulin levels.

One way to do this, is to give insulin injections – effectively providing insulin from outside.  Another way to do this, is to “persuade” the pancreas to produce more – this is how sulphonylurea drugs work.

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have come up with a novel approach – instead of making more, they just make sure what is made, sticks around for longer.

Insulin attacked by hungry “wolves”

Too much insulin, could cause the sugar levels in your blood to drop dangerously low, resulting in hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is very serious, because it means there is no food for the cells. Brain cells are particularly sensitive and start to die.

So your body carefully controls insulin/sugar levels. The insulin that is produced, is quickly removed, to stop it working for too long. The way the body removes the insulin, is to create a special enzyme, called insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), which tears the insulin molecule apart, so it no longer works.

NOTE : Naturally insulin is degraded very quickly (half-life is measured in minutes). To overcome this problem, the insulin molecules that are injected into insulin dependent diabetics, have been altered a little bit, to make it more difficult for the enzymes to break it down.

Blocking insulin breakdown

The researchers from Mayo Clinic did a little fiddling in the genome of some mice (they created IDE knockout mice) to test their idea, that blocking insulin breakdown could be a way of treating people with diabetes.

The genetic modification created a type of mice without the enzyme (IDE), so these animals were no longer able to break down insulin as quickly. The normal insulin produced by the body, ended up sticking around a lot longer than usual.

That lot longer, meant that it worked a little bit more efficiently.

Sugar slaying supermice

The genetically modified mice were super at controlling sugar levels. They were mean lean fighting machines to begin with, at least.

The researchers at Mayo Clinic are excited, because they believe their new approach may lead to a new drug to “treat” type 2 diabetics.

Supermice suffering from type 2 diabetes

This is the part of the story which is most important for you.

A funny thing happened to the sugar slaying supermice ….. initially, the mice were super healthy, but as time went by – they developed diabetes.

Yup, the truck loads of insulin eventually caused insulin resistance. When insulin resistance kicked in, the animals struggled to control their sugar levels.

The insulin solution backfires

This is what is happening to lots of humans who are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. Too much insulin, eventually short circuits metabolism.

The more carbohydrate foods you eat, the more your body produces insulin, because insulin is the hormone tasked with “handling” sugar.  Trouble is, the high levels of insulin cause cells to stop responding. Sugar levels start creeping up, because the normal physiological response is defective and the pancreas can no longer cope.

sugar insulin vicious cycle

High sugar levels are toxic, creating inflammation which ends up destroying blood vessels around the body and interfering with the immune system.

rein in insulin

Protecting yourself from metabolic syndrome begins with controlling insulin levels. Controlling insulin depends on watching your carbohydrate intake.

Type 2 diabetes happens when your pancreas gives up the ghost, because it cannot produce enough insulin to meet your body’s requirement. Help your pancreas by limiting your carbohydrate intake.

PS. A low carbohydrate diet will also help the waste line and won’t damage your heart.

Deletion of Insulin-Degrading Enzyme Elicits Antipodal, Age-Dependent Effects on Glucose and Insulin Tolerance. PLoS ONE (2011) ; Samer O. Abdul-Hay, Dongcheul Kang, Melinda McBride, Lilin Li, Ji Zhao, Malcolm A. Leissring.

Join our mailing list to recieve E-spoons


View previous E-spoons.

Close

Know someone who will find this post useful ? Share it on facebook, linkedin, twitter

Further reading

insulin supervising plaque formation in artery
Gorilla on a diet
women weighing in
Insulin steers the assembly of killer blood clots Gorilla dieting techniques  Stop blaming fats for making you fat, the obesity problem is in grains 

The 7 Big Spoons™…. are master switches that turn health on.

balance eicosanoids rein in insulin dial down stress sleep vitamin D microflora think
Balance Eicosanoids Rein in insulin Dial down stress Sleep ! Increase Vit D Culivate microflora Think champion

Hire Dr Sandy from a Spoonful of Science to be the keynote speaker at your next event.

Did you learn something new or do you have a different perspective ? I’d love to hear from you so post me a comment below…..

Posted in Insulin | Tagged diabetes, insulin, insulin resistance, low carbohydrate, metabolic syndrome, pancreas, sulphonylurea

Sugar gremlins are REAL

Connect with us

facebook you tube pinterest 40 Linkedin

Instagram

betterbodychemistry
@betterbodychemistry
Follow
🧠 What exactly is Q10… and why is it always mentioned with statins?

It’s safe.
It’s popular.
But it’s still misunderstood.

This short is your quick intro to a molecule that gets a lot of attention — especially if you’re taking a statin.

🎥 Want the full story on statins, muscle loss & Q10?
👉 Watch the video — link in bio

🔬 Follow @betterbodychemistry for bite-sized science that actually makes sense.

#coenzymeQ10 #Q10supplement #ubiquinone 
#statins #musclehealth #cholesterollowering 
#mitochondria #metabolichealth #betterbodychemistry 
#healthscience #scienceexplained #insulinresistance
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
🧠 What exactly is Q10… and why is it always mentioned with statins? It’s safe. It’s popular. But it’s still misunderstood. This short is your quick intro to a molecule that gets a lot of attention — especially if you’re taking a statin. 🎥 Want the full story on statins, muscle loss & Q10? 👉 Watch the video — link in bio 🔬 Follow @betterbodychemistry for bite-sized science that actually makes sense. #coenzymeQ10 #Q10supplement #ubiquinone #statins #musclehealth #cholesterollowering #mitochondria #metabolichealth #betterbodychemistry #healthscience #scienceexplained #insulinresistance
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/9
A health “nut” (classified as a lean mass hyper-responder) dropped his cholesterol by adding 12 Oreos a day to his keto diet.

Sounds delicious, right? 

But if you’re insulin resistant, this cookie hack could backfire.

🍪 Curious about how it actually worked? I break it down in this short.

And if you want more quirky science stories that help you understand your metabolism — 💌 I send them out via email. Link in bio to join.

#oreoexperiment #insulinresistance #cholesterolfix #ldlcholesterol #lowcarblife #metabolicsyndrome #healthcurious #betterbodychemistry 
#LMHR #leanmusclehyperresponder
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
A health “nut” (classified as a lean mass hyper-responder) dropped his cholesterol by adding 12 Oreos a day to his keto diet. Sounds delicious, right? But if you’re insulin resistant, this cookie hack could backfire. 🍪 Curious about how it actually worked? I break it down in this short. And if you want more quirky science stories that help you understand your metabolism — 💌 I send them out via email. Link in bio to join. #oreoexperiment #insulinresistance #cholesterolfix #ldlcholesterol #lowcarblife #metabolicsyndrome #healthcurious #betterbodychemistry #LMHR #leanmusclehyperresponder
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
2/9
Ever wonder why your LDL spikes on keto?

It’s not the bacon. 🥓
It’s your liver — working overtime to fuel your body.

On keto, your cells switch from burning sugar to burning fat.
Your liver responds by sending out VLDL particles — packed with fat.
Once the fat is dropped off, what’s left becomes LDL.

⚠️ And that’s what shows up on blood work.
😱 Cue panic.

But if your liver is healthy, those LDLs are just passing through.
If not? They hang around. That’s when trouble starts.

🎥 Watch to understand the science behind rising LDL on keto — and why context matters.

#KetoScience #LMHR #LeanMassHyperResponder #LDLcholesterol #LowCarbLife #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #RootCause
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
Ever wonder why your LDL spikes on keto? It’s not the bacon. 🥓 It’s your liver — working overtime to fuel your body. On keto, your cells switch from burning sugar to burning fat. Your liver responds by sending out VLDL particles — packed with fat. Once the fat is dropped off, what’s left becomes LDL. ⚠️ And that’s what shows up on blood work. 😱 Cue panic. But if your liver is healthy, those LDLs are just passing through. If not? They hang around. That’s when trouble starts. 🎥 Watch to understand the science behind rising LDL on keto — and why context matters. #KetoScience #LMHR #LeanMassHyperResponder #LDLcholesterol #LowCarbLife #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #RootCause
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
Is your LDL sky-high… but everything else looks great?

If you’re lean, athletic, and insulin sensitive — you might be what researchers are calling a Lean Mass Hyper-Responder (LMHR).

In this reel, I unpack new research comparing LMHRs to everyday folks. The LDL in LMHRs is often >190 mg/dL — a number that would alarm most doctors — but their CAC scores suggest their hearts are doing just fine.

The takeaway?
LDL might be loud, but it’s not always telling the truth.
The full picture matters.

🎬 This is Part 2 in my LMHR cholesterol series. Follow so you don’t miss Part 3, where we dive into the Lipid Energy Model — a theory that may explain what’s going on in LMHRs (and maybe in you too)

#LDL #Cholesterol #LMHR #InsulinResistance #CACscore #HeartHealth #LipidEnergyModel #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #TyGIndex #HealthEducation #LowCarbScience
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
Is your LDL sky-high… but everything else looks great? If you’re lean, athletic, and insulin sensitive — you might be what researchers are calling a Lean Mass Hyper-Responder (LMHR). In this reel, I unpack new research comparing LMHRs to everyday folks. The LDL in LMHRs is often >190 mg/dL — a number that would alarm most doctors — but their CAC scores suggest their hearts are doing just fine. The takeaway? LDL might be loud, but it’s not always telling the truth. The full picture matters. 🎬 This is Part 2 in my LMHR cholesterol series. Follow so you don’t miss Part 3, where we dive into the Lipid Energy Model — a theory that may explain what’s going on in LMHRs (and maybe in you too) #LDL #Cholesterol #LMHR #InsulinResistance #CACscore #HeartHealth #LipidEnergyModel #BetterBodyChemistry #MetabolicHealth #TyGIndex #HealthEducation #LowCarbScience
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Your numbers say danger zone — but your body says everything’s fine.
You might be an LMHR.

🎥 This is part 1 of a bigger story. Follow for what happens next.

#LDL #Cholesterol #LowCarbLife #MetabolicHealth #InsulinResistance 
#HeartHealth #KetoProblems #HealthExplained #BodyChemistry #BetterBodyChemistry 
#HealthTips #WellnessJourney #Biohacking #FunctionalMedicine #KnowYourNumbers
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
Your numbers say danger zone — but your body says everything’s fine. You might be an LMHR. 🎥 This is part 1 of a bigger story. Follow for what happens next. #LDL #Cholesterol #LowCarbLife #MetabolicHealth #InsulinResistance #HeartHealth #KetoProblems #HealthExplained #BodyChemistry #BetterBodyChemistry #HealthTips #WellnessJourney #Biohacking #FunctionalMedicine #KnowYourNumbers
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
🎯 One number.

One test you’ve probably never had… even though the data is already in your blood work.

It’s called the TyG Index—and it’s one of the best ways to see if insulin resistance is quietly messing with your metabolism.

🔍 My Metabolic Check makes it easy to calculate, understand, and use this number—and right now, you can get it FREE inside the Next Level Life Bundle.

💡You don’t need to figure everything out today.
But you do need to grab access before the bundle closes.

🕛 Deadline: Tonight at midnight (March 27)
🎁 100+ personal development tools
💻 Yours forever—if you sign up in time.

🔗 Link in bio

#NextLevelLifeBundle #MetabolicCheck #TyGIndex #InsulinResistance #MetabolicHealth #BloodSugarBalance #FreeHealthTools #HealthResources #ScienceBasedHealth #KnowYourNumbers #SugarCrashFix #EnergySupport #FreebieAlert #BetterBodyChemistry #DeadlineAlert
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
🎯 One number. One test you’ve probably never had… even though the data is already in your blood work. It’s called the TyG Index—and it’s one of the best ways to see if insulin resistance is quietly messing with your metabolism. 🔍 My Metabolic Check makes it easy to calculate, understand, and use this number—and right now, you can get it FREE inside the Next Level Life Bundle. 💡You don’t need to figure everything out today. But you do need to grab access before the bundle closes. 🕛 Deadline: Tonight at midnight (March 27) 🎁 100+ personal development tools 💻 Yours forever—if you sign up in time. 🔗 Link in bio #NextLevelLifeBundle #MetabolicCheck #TyGIndex #InsulinResistance #MetabolicHealth #BloodSugarBalance #FreeHealthTools #HealthResources #ScienceBasedHealth #KnowYourNumbers #SugarCrashFix #EnergySupport #FreebieAlert #BetterBodyChemistry #DeadlineAlert
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
It’s not Tai Chi... 🥋
It’s the TyG Index that brings balance to your metabolism.

🐾 If you’re wondering whether insulin resistance might be behind your sugar crashes, stubborn weight, or low energy—there’s a number that can help.

🧪 It’s based on ordinary blood work.
📊 It’s called the TyG Index.
💻 And you can calculate it yourself using my Metabolic Check tool—available now for FREE in the Next Level Life Bundle.

But hurry...
⏳ The bundle closes tomorrow at midnight (March 27)!
🔗 Link in bio

#TyGIndex #MetabolicCheck #InsulinResistance #NextLevelLifeBundle #BloodSugarBalance #FreeHealthTool #MetabolicHealth #KnowYourNumbers #BetterBodyChemistry #ScienceBasedHealth #EnergyFix #HealthTools #BundleCountdown
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
It’s not Tai Chi... 🥋 It’s the TyG Index that brings balance to your metabolism. 🐾 If you’re wondering whether insulin resistance might be behind your sugar crashes, stubborn weight, or low energy—there’s a number that can help. 🧪 It’s based on ordinary blood work. 📊 It’s called the TyG Index. 💻 And you can calculate it yourself using my Metabolic Check tool—available now for FREE in the Next Level Life Bundle. But hurry... ⏳ The bundle closes tomorrow at midnight (March 27)! 🔗 Link in bio #TyGIndex #MetabolicCheck #InsulinResistance #NextLevelLifeBundle #BloodSugarBalance #FreeHealthTool #MetabolicHealth #KnowYourNumbers #BetterBodyChemistry #ScienceBasedHealth #EnergyFix #HealthTools #BundleCountdown
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
🩸 Did your metabolism ace the test?

There’s a surprising number hiding in your standard blood work…

It’s called the TyG Index, and it could be your first clue that insulin resistance is quietly messing with your energy, weight, or sugar levels.

🎯 Want to know your number?

Metabolic Check is my contribution to the [Next Level Life Bundle]—and right now, you can grab it for FREE (along with 100+ other personal growth resources).

But don’t wait—
🕛 Bundle closes Thursday at midnight (March 27).
🔗 Link in bio!
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
🩸 Did your metabolism ace the test? There’s a surprising number hiding in your standard blood work… It’s called the TyG Index, and it could be your first clue that insulin resistance is quietly messing with your energy, weight, or sugar levels. 🎯 Want to know your number? Metabolic Check is my contribution to the [Next Level Life Bundle]—and right now, you can grab it for FREE (along with 100+ other personal growth resources). But don’t wait— 🕛 Bundle closes Thursday at midnight (March 27). 🔗 Link in bio!
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
🚨 It’s LIVE!
The Next Level Life Bundle just dropped—and it’s bursting with 100+ free resources to help you feel better, think clearer, and actually make progress on the things that matter.

🧠 My contribution?
Metabolic Check
A quick, science-backed tool to help you figure out if insulin resistance might be messing with your energy, weight, or sugar levels.
No fluff. No guessing. Just numbers you can use.

✨ And that’s just ONE of the incredible resources inside.
The bundle is only available until March 27—and yes, it’s completely free.

📥 Grab your copy now — link in bio.

#NextLevelLifeBundle #MetabolicCheck #InsulinResistance #BloodSugarBalance #FreebieAlert #BetterBodyChemistry #FreeResources #HealthGoals #ScienceBased #BundleLaunch #WomenInScience #MindBodyHealth #EnergySupport #Type2Diabetes #MetabolicHealth
betterbodychemistry
betterbodychemistry
•
Follow
🚨 It’s LIVE! The Next Level Life Bundle just dropped—and it’s bursting with 100+ free resources to help you feel better, think clearer, and actually make progress on the things that matter. 🧠 My contribution? Metabolic Check A quick, science-backed tool to help you figure out if insulin resistance might be messing with your energy, weight, or sugar levels. No fluff. No guessing. Just numbers you can use. ✨ And that’s just ONE of the incredible resources inside. The bundle is only available until March 27—and yes, it’s completely free. 📥 Grab your copy now — link in bio. #NextLevelLifeBundle #MetabolicCheck #InsulinResistance #BloodSugarBalance #FreebieAlert #BetterBodyChemistry #FreeResources #HealthGoals #ScienceBased #BundleLaunch #WomenInScience #MindBodyHealth #EnergySupport #Type2Diabetes #MetabolicHealth
2 months ago
View on Instagram |
9/9
View on Instagram
willpower report
  • Popular
  • Featured
  • Recent
  • asprosin the sugar plum fairy

    Why sugar levels are high despite NOT eating

    22924 views / Posted
  • oatmeal breakfast being beaten by egg

    Which is a better breakfast, egg or oatmeal ?

    22701 views / Posted
  • poop getting stuck

    The fix for constipation is to go on a low fibre diet

    22270 views / Posted
  • chewing gum relieving postoperative ileus

    A stick of chewing gum gets the gut going after surgery

    16976 views / Posted
  • carbonated water bubbles fill you up

    Fizzing up the water flattens your appetite

    15848 views / Posted
  • sun extracting cholesterol

    Make sure you have your “annual” check-up in the summer time

    / Dr Sandy
  • sending your kid to bootcamp won't stop childhood obesity

    Moving more won’t stop your kid from getting fat

    / Dr Sandy
  • cholesterol at the scene of the accident

    Bone cells are stiffening up your arteries not cholesterol

    / Dr Sandy
  • brain size the problem in ADHD

    Are kids with ADHD just acting according to their brain age

    / Dr Sandy
  • plastering the blood vessel with calcium

    Calcium supplements are building bones and breaking hearts

    / Dr Sandy
  • Plant baring hamburgers

    Does Soy Build Muscle? Exploring the Science Behind Protein Choices

    / Dr Sandy
  • img-49

    The Dark Side of Weight Loss Drugs

    / Dr Sandy
  • Mother Nature stealing from peter to pay paul

    Are You Losing Muscle Without Realizing It? Here’s How to Protect It

    / Dr Sandy
  • img-51

    Your Resting Heart Rate could be a Red Flag for Metabolic Trouble

    / Dr Sandy
  • baby muscle mesmerized by the TV

    Tots watching too much TV end up being muscle flops

    / Dr Sandy

RSS Recent posts

Dr Sandy Dr Sandy Evans, PhD

Located in Johannesburg, South Africa

Disclaimer : The stories and articles are provided as a service. Dr Sandy's opinions are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe. For your specific diagnosis and treatment, consult your doctor or health care provider.
 

Book an appointment

Calendar icon
 

Connect with Dr Sandy

facebook 40
you tube 40
pinterest 40
linkedin 40
 

Categories

Featured posts

  • asprosin the sugar plum fairy

    Why sugar levels are high despite NOT eating

    22924 views / Posted
  • oatmeal breakfast being beaten by egg

    Which is a better breakfast, egg or oatmeal ?

    22701 views / Posted
  • poop getting stuck

    The fix for constipation is to go on a low fibre diet

    22270 views / Posted
 

©2011-2025 Spoonful of Science

Menu

  • Meet Dr Sandy
  • Disclosure/disclaimer
  • Privacy policy
  • Comment policy
  • Contact