Insulin is an important hormone whose primary function is to regulate blood sugar levels. Usually, there is ½ to 1 teaspoon of sugar in the 5 quarts of blood of the average adult. In response to a rise in blood sugar after eating, insulin is released from the pancreas. The insulin moves excess sugar into cells, returning blood sugar levels to the normal range. As a person gains weight, an excess of sugar and sugar fats (triglycerides) is stored in cells. In turn, cells start to become resistant to the effects of insulin in an attempt to stop additional sugar from entering. But the body wants blood sugars to stay in the normal range, so the pancreas excretes increasingly larger amounts of insulin. This state of elevated insulin levels and low, normal, or slightly elevated blood sugar is called insulin resistance (prediabetes and metabolic syndrome are also commonly used.) High insulin levels block weight loss and create increased cravings for carbohydrates. Obviously, treatment of this vicious cycle of elevated insulin levels, overconsumption of carbohydrates, and weight gain is critically important to successful weight loss.

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