- September 19, 2019
- Sports nutrition
- Lera Putina
Insulin is a transport hormone that is produced in the cells of the endocrine zone of the pancreas. The main task of this peptide is to reduce blood glucose levels. Insulin is used in bodybuilding, and this is no coincidence. This peptide has a powerful anabolic effect. But how to take it correctly in sports? Are there any side effects and contraindications? More details about this in the article.
general information
In addition to the fact that insulin in bodybuilding has a powerful anabolic effect, it is also considered an anti-catabolic drug. After all, it activates the enzyme glycolysis and also stimulates the formation of glycogen, simultaneously enhancing the synthesis of fats and proteins. It is very important to note that insulin has the ability to suppress the activity of enzymes that break down glycogen and fats.
All these properties of the peptide explain why insulin is an anti-catabolic drug. It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that this transport hormone is very serious and strong, so it is strictly forbidden to be used by novice athletes and bodybuilders. The reason is that insulin can cause considerable harm to the human body. If a person uses the product incorrectly or adheres to the wrong dosage. Please note that there have been cases of death reported when insulin was taken incorrectly in bodybuilding.
What else does it do?
What else will the anabolic effect of insulin consist of? This peptide has the property of transporting nutrients and also working in various areas. The hormone is able to work more towards building muscle, and maybe towards building fat tissue. In any case, it is almost impossible to gain muscle mass using insulin without gaining fat.
If you have a naturally thin physique and thin bones, then this hormone will be much more beneficial if you follow all the rules for taking it. Please note that ectomorphs have reduced resistance to this peptide. If you are an endomorph and also have a tendency to gain fat quickly, you will experience increased insulin resistance. Thus, only fat will transport this peptide. It is for this reason that the use of transport hormone is not recommended for endomorphs.
Effects of Insulin
Free insulin stimulates the uptake of glucose not only by muscle, but also by adipose tissue, and the bound form of insulin has a specific effect exclusively on adipose tissue. Insulin deactivation occurs in the liver and other hormone-sensitive organs and tissues. It has a wide range of biological effects on the human body. Its main targets are the liver, muscle and adipose tissue. All of them play a significant role in glucose metabolism, however, insulin affects not only these, but also many other tissues. It is responsible for transport, metabolism and accumulation of nutritional components by cells. It also stimulates anabolic processes (glucose utilization) and inhibits catabolic processes (the breakdown of proteins and fats).
Under the influence of the hormone insulin, the transport of nutrients and ions into cells is stimulated, the intracellular movement of proteins increases, enzymes are excited or inhibited, the amount of proteins varies due to changes in the rate of transfer of their genes and the transport of ribonucleic acids. Some effects of insulin appear within just a few seconds (for example, stimulation of glucose transport). Other effects take up to several hours to achieve (for example, changes in protein synthesis). As for processes such as cell proliferation and differentiation, it takes several days for their manifestation, which proves the versatility of the molecular mechanisms of insulin action.
Anabolic effect
Insulin is known to significantly help muscle cells absorb large amounts of amino acids. In this case, leucine and valine, which are considered independent amino acids, will be absorbed best. In addition, the hormone renews DNA in the body, transport of potassium phosphate, magnesium, as well as protein biosynthesis. With the help of insulin, you can enhance the synthesis of fatty acids. If there is a missing amount of peptide in the blood, mobilization of fat will occur. However, it is very important to know how to take insulin correctly in bodybuilding. More on this later.
Introduction
Regulation of insulin production is a complex process that includes stimulants (glucose, amino acids, fatty acids), the effect of which is multiply enhanced by calcium ions, as well as inhibitors (somatostatin, adrenaline and insulin itself). In addition, the autonomic nervous system also has a significant influence on secretion. The sympathetic nervous system has an inhibitory effect, and the parasympathetic system has a stimulating effect. Normal insulin production includes two components: basal, which prevents excessive catabolism on an empty stomach, and stimulated by food intake. Insulin released from the pancreas circulates in the blood in two states, or rather forms: in free and protein-bound form.
Application in bodybuilding. Peculiarities
Please note that only a short-acting hormone is used for insulin courses in bodybuilding. Ultra-short is also acceptable.
The first one will work as follows: when an athlete injects insulin subcutaneously, it begins to act after half an hour. Injections should be given 30 minutes before meals. Insulin will reach its maximum effect 2 hours after the injection. It will completely stop transporting in the human body 6 hours after the injection.
Now you know how to inject insulin in bodybuilding. But what drugs are best to use? Experts highlight the following: “Humulin regular”, “Actrapid NM”.
Ultra-short insulin in bodybuilding will work according to the following principle: after injection into the blood, the drug begins to act within 10 minutes, and after 2 hours maximum efficiency is achieved. It will stop working 3-4 hours after the injection. Once you have injected insulin, you should eat food immediately. However, in some cases the injection is given immediately after eating.
But what is the best rapid-acting insulin for bodybuilding? Two drugs are considered such: “Flexpen”, “Penfill”.
For a 2-month course of using insulin in bodybuilding, you will have to pay about 2000-3000 rubles. That is why the drugs are very affordable.
Insulin preparations
Let's start with the fact that insulin, like many other drugs, is not produced for sports purposes. It is produced exclusively for medical purposes, namely for the pharmacotherapy of type 1 diabetes. For type 2 diabetes mellitus, synthetic hypoglycemic drugs are used, the effect of which, in some cases, is supplemented with injections. Insulin, obtained from the pancreas of cattle (pigs and even whales), has a relatively short therapeutic effect. But by adding protamine, a stabilizing low-molecular protein, to insulin, as well as zinc, a phosphate or acetate buffer, or a polymer base, long-acting (prolonged) action drugs are obtained, which are called depot drugs.
Medium-duration insulin has the shortest effect (about 6 hours) - this is a suspension of zinc insulin (amorphous). And the longest action (from 30 to 36 hours) has insulin, created on a polymer basis, insulindez. The main indication for the use of insulin drugs in clinical settings is diabetes mellitus. Single and daily dosages for each patient are set individually, depending on how severe the form of his disease is. Also, the dosage in a clinical setting often depends on the patient’s condition, how he tolerates the disease, as well as on the concentration of sugar in his urine, which is determined by the following indicators: 1 IU of the hormone per 2-5 grams. sugar excreted in urine.
Advantages
What are the positive aspects of taking insulin in bodybuilding? These include:
- The course of treatment includes 2 months, which is a very short period of time.
- Reviews of insulin in bodybuilding indicate that most drugs are at a high level relative to their quality. The likelihood of purchasing crafts is reduced to almost zero, which cannot be said about anabolic steroids.
- Insulin is quite affordable. You can purchase it at any pharmacy, and you do not need to take a prescription from a doctor.
- The action of insulin is characterized by fairly high anabolic properties.
- The likelihood of side effects occurring is negligible if a person takes the drug correctly.
- At the end of the course, there is no need to carry out post-cycle therapy, because insulin does not leave any consequences.
- After completing the course of taking insulin, the rebound is relatively small.
- It is allowed to use insulin in combination with other peptides, as well as anabolic steroids.
- Insulin has no androgenic effect on the human body.
- Insulin is not capable of harming the kidneys and liver, and will not have any toxic effects on them. In addition, this peptide does not provoke potency problems after administration.
Who can count on “easy” results?
If you become interested in bodybuilding, you should remember that achieving results will depend on “mom and dad.” People with different body types will react differently to the injection of the insulin hormone. We provide a table that will help determine your type of constitution and, accordingly, your “predisposition” to professionally engage in this sport.
| Image | Constitutional features |
| It is easiest to build muscle mass in people with physiologically high levels of somatotropin in the blood. Taking insulin does not cause increased fat secretion in them. The same volume of lipids that is nevertheless produced, after the end of the insulin course, quickly disappears with the help of small cardio loads and a short but strict low-carbohydrate diet. They are characterized by signs of ectomorphs, but with some nuances:
People with such physique features can count on fast and high achievements. |
| For people with low levels of serotonin and high concentrations of glucocorticoids in the blood - those prone to obesity, as well as typical endomorphs - it is very difficult to achieve the heights of Olympia, but it is possible! Here are the distinctive body features that require long and persistent work not only in the gym, but also daily cardio training, an unconditional and constant low-carbohydrate diet, and instead of safe insulin, use hormonal anabolic steroids that are dangerous to health:
|
On a note. People who plan to engage in bodybuilding, but suffer from chronic gastritis, thyroid diseases or Cushing's syndrome, should prepare for the fact that insulin injections will have a negative effect - causing an increase in fat rather than muscle mass. All that remains is to use hormonal anabolics.
Flaws
It should also be noted that insulin has some disadvantages. They will be as follows:
- After administration, the body experiences a low glucose level, less than 3.3.
- During a course of taking insulin, a person significantly increases fat tissue.
- The drugs have a complex dosage regimen.
As you can see, insulin has many more positive qualities than negative ones. This means that this peptide is one of the best pharmacological agents on the modern market.
Conclusion for those gaining weight
Just like those who are losing weight, it is advisable for you to eat often, but in much larger portions. It should be a source of complex (slow) carbohydrates and a high-quality source of protein (kefir, cottage cheese, eggs, meat). I know from my own experience that it is very difficult to eat a huge portion of food every hour, it interferes with leading a normal lifestyle, so the optimal amount is 5-7 meals.
On my own behalf, I would like to add that the ideal last meal is cottage cheese with milk and banana. Cottage cheese and milk contain the amino acid tryptophan, which is a kind of sedative for the nervous system and causes mild drowsiness. After such a meal it will be easier to fall asleep. Banana is a source of simple carbohydrates, which will raise insulin during sleep and make the protein from cottage cheese and milk better absorbed.
Tryptophan - (β-(β-indolyl)-α-aminopropionic acid, abbreviated: Tri, Trp, Trp, W) - an aromatic alpha amino acid. It exists in two optical isomeric forms, L and D, and as a racemate (DL). L-tryptophan is a proteinogenic amino acid and is part of the proteins of all known living organisms.
Tryptophan is a component of food proteins. The richest foods in tryptophan include cheese, fish, meat, legumes, cottage cheese, oats, peanuts, sesame seeds, pine nuts, milk, and yogurt. Tryptophan is present in most plant proteins, and soybeans are especially rich in it. One of the best sources of tryptophan is peanuts, both whole nuts and peanut butter (misleadingly called peanut butter).
Side effects
Insulin also has some side effects. The first significant ones will be hypoglycemia, that is, low blood glucose. This condition is characterized as follows: limbs begin to shake, the person loses consciousness, and profuse sweating is observed. A reduced glucose level may also be accompanied by loss of orientation and coordination, and severe hunger. At the same time, the heart rate begins to increase. All these signs are symptoms of hypoglycemia.
It is also very important for athletes who take insulin to know the following: if you see obvious signs of hypoglycemia, then you urgently need to replenish your body with sweets, thus bringing the sugar content to normal.
Another side effect, although of little significance, is irritation and itching, which are localized at the injection site.
In rare cases, athletes experience an allergic reaction, but it is minor.
If you take insulin for a long time, the endogenous secretion of your natural insulin will significantly decrease. In addition, this can happen if there is an overdose of insulin.
Conclusion for those losing weight
You should reduce slow carbohydrates and completely abandon fast ones, that is, sweets. The exception is fruits, but in limited quantities and only in the morning. It is advisable to focus on porridge (buckwheat is best) and eat small portions throughout the day. The ideal option is a couple of tablespoons of buckwheat and a low-fat source of protein (kefir, cottage cheese, eggs, chicken fillet) every hour.
Don't combine fats with carbohydrates (goodbye fried potatoes) and eat enough protein-containing foods. You should also not eat before training for at least two hours so that insulin levels during exercise are minimal and do not block the fat burning process.
Admission course
Now you know what insulin is like. The next task will be to use this drug correctly. It is very important not to extend the course for more than 2 months. If you follow all the instructions, then after the first course of using insulin you can gain about 10 kg of lean muscle mass. It is very important to start with small dosages, no more than 2 units. Injections are given subcutaneously. Gradually the dosage reaches 20 units. Pay attention to how your body takes the drug. It is strongly not recommended to use more than 20 units per day.
Before using a transport hormone, pay attention to 2 main factors, which are as follows:
- Be sure to start with a low dose and gradually increase until it reaches 20 units. It is strictly forbidden to suddenly switch from 2 units to 6, or from 10 to 20. The fact is that a sharp transition can provoke very unpleasant consequences for your body.
- You should also not go beyond 20 units. Also note that each person's body takes insulin completely differently. For some, 20 units may be a lot.
The frequency of administration may be completely different. You can take insulin every day, once a day, several times a day, every other day. If you inject every day, or several times a day, the total duration of the course should be reduced. If the injections are carried out every other day, then the course should be no more than 2 months.
It is strongly recommended to give injections after training, and then eat food that is rich in long-term carbohydrates and proteins. You should inject it immediately after visiting the gym, because the transport hormone has an anti-catabolic effect. Insulin is able to suppress the process of catabolism caused by physical activity.
Note that using insulin post-workout has several other benefits: When you push your body into hypoglycemia, it will naturally lower your blood glucose levels. After visiting the gym, growth hormone is rapidly released. It is not recommended to inject insulin at other times of the day. If you train three times every 7 days, and the remaining 4 days you rest, you can inject in the morning before meals, when you are not training. In this case, it is recommended to use short-acting insulin. Half an hour after the injection you can have a full meal. During training, injections are given only after visiting the gym.
