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CARBOHYDRATES AND INSULIN
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas in response to the nutrients
we eat and has a primary function of driving nutrients into muscle and fat cells.
Every time we eat, blood plasma levels of glycogen rise causing a corresponding
increase in the level of insulin produced. If a large meal is eaten, or one
high in simple carbohydrates (specifically a meal containing foods with a high
Glycemic Index) then Insulin levels rise rapidly to high levels. This will have
a tendency to drive nutrients preferentially towards fat cells and then the
liver will convert the insulin to triglycerides (a fat) which is then also stored
as additional body fat.
Smaller meals cause Insulin to rise less dramatically which has been shown
to cause protein and glycogen to be driven into muscle tissue.
Insulin also acts with growth hormone to produce IGF-1 (insulin like Growth
Factor) which is a significant muscle building factor.
These two properties of insulin give rise to the 6 small, evenly spaced, meals
a day diet. By eating smaller meals, containing fiber and complex carbohydrates
we minimise fat storage. By eating 6 times a day we maximise nutrient flow into
muscle whilst maintaining a steady level of insulin required to support IGF-1.
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