Endogenous Insulin Does Not Increase Muscle Growth (fixed misleading headline) - Article

(Chris) #1

Let me rephrase my title. All participants were given exogenous insulin. Some were given doses similar to what the human body can produce, and others were given super-high doses such as those seen in some steroid-using bodybuilders.

(Bob M) #2

That is a misleading title.

Itā€™s even worse than that, though, as the study itself seems to be limited to exogenous insulin, whereas what you linked talks about endogenous insulin.

Hmmmā€¦ā€œage-related anabolic resistanceā€?

(Chris) #3

I phrased that wrong -

They were all given exogenous, however some participants had ā€œnormalā€ levels injected, that the body could naturally produce, and some were given extremely high (bodybuilder on steroids high) doses.

(Bob M) #4

I have to say, thatā€™s a stupid idea. Insulin = bad.

So, thereā€™s no hope that the high amount of protein I eat after lifting raises my insulin and helps my muscles grow? Itā€™s just the ā€œextraā€ protein that helps that process?

(Chris) #5

Insulin isnā€™t bad, EXCESSIVE insulin is bad, especially chronically high insulin.

Iā€™m not sure how well it worked for the competitors, but people like Dave Palumbo and Bostin Loyd (not a pro like Dave, but equally stupid) used tons of it and both of them had some of the worst guts in the sport. Google Palumboism.

Hard to say, itā€™s only one study. I think the body is more complicated than that. Itā€™s got to be a mix of stress on the body (lifting), plus exogenous and endogenous protein, and Iā€™m sure autophagy plays into it on some level.

I wouldnā€™t worry about it. Being consistent and eating real food will net you gains. Iā€™m proof of that at least.

(Doug) #6

Wow - I did not even know it was a thing - people thinking that insulin makes muscles grow?

(You've tried everything else; why not try bacon?) #7

According to Benjamin Bikman, the effect of extra protein depends on the level of dietary carbohydrate. In the case of carbohydrate intake such as one would eat on the standard American diet, more protein raises insulin, and the insulin/glucagon ratio gets very high, stimulating the storage of fat. In the case of a low carbohydrate diet, however, added protein stimulates the secretion of glucagon as well as of insulin, leaving the insulin/glucagon ratio very low, so that fat can continue to be metabolized, and the liver can continue producing ketone bodies.

I was under the impression that it was HGH in the presence of enough amino acids that caused muscle growth, not insulin. Doesnā€™t there also have to be muscle stress to the point of failure, as well? I just watched a video by Dr. Naiman on that topic, but I canā€™t claim to understand it.

(Chris) #8

About as long as our horrible dietary guidelines, I think.