Insulin (recombinant DNA origin) Insulin is used to tread various form of diabetes where the body does not produce it’s own supply or a reduced supply.
Before we continue on the uses in bodybuilding you have to ask yourself one question, how fanatical are you? If you are obsessed and compete at any cost, then chances are you will take the risk associated with insulin. Chances are you are going to use it, push it and end up in coma or near one sooner or later. You’ll recover and use it again. That is the nature of things. I suppose it’s worth dying while dining something you love than to die without having been passionate, even if the rest of us don’t quite understand.
If you are not, recognise that insulin is very anabolic and a potent anti-catabolic agent that is an integral part in muscle building and that your own supply will have to do.
Insulin dosing is a difficult subject but all the literature point towards around 2Iu per day following a workout. From here an increase of 1 IU every 2-3 days until you find a comfortable dose is suggested, ….mmm what is a comfortable dose, I’m certainly not sure. The problem is diet and how it interacts with insulin. To avoid some serious issues and effectiveness, you have to consume carbohydrates immediately following and dosing and for at least 5-6 hours afterward. Typically you would consume 100-120 grams of carbs immediately after taking the shot. This is then followed by 10 grams of carbs for every IU of insulin used per hour following your shot. This should continue for at least 5 hours.
One of the problems with insulin is that there is a very thin line between the correct dose and ending up dead or in a coma. In the case of insulin you have to be constantly aware of what your body is telling you. In most cases I feel that people are not disciplined and sensitive enough to really manage insulin treatment, but if you are there should be no side effects.
The biggest problem comes with insulin cause a complete drop in blood sugar; this is referred to as Hypoglycaemia. To avoid this situation you need to recognise the onset and deal with it before you get into shit, because that is exactly what you’ll be in if things go wrong. These symptoms are, and write them on a tick list so you can tick them off every hour or so:
1. Hunger
2. Drowsiness
3. Depressiveness
4. Headaches
5. Anxiety
6. Unusual behaviour or unsteady movements
Any of these signs need to be acted on immediately by taking simple sugars to increase the blood sugar level as fast as possible. A steady intake of carbs should follow every hour.
Make sure somebody close to you knows when you are on insulin so you have back-up, it could mean the difference between life and death.
There are a number of insulin derivatives on the market, these can be split into 2 min groups; very fast acting and very potent and the longer acting less potent ones. The first group should be avoided.
Insulin is a very potent bodybuilding substance and its anti-catabolic properties are comparable to steroids but it is far more risky. Beside EPO perhaps, insulin is probably the most dangerous bodybuilding substance in its case, steroids is a safer alternative. The problem with insulin is that if you take it correctly there are no side effects; the actual issue is that most people that take it correctly end up in a low blood sugar situation at least once and this highlights how dangerous it is. This stuff can kill you because it can affect you faster than you will know it’s happening or can take action.
Its use with Growth Hormone is also widespread and the same problems apply. It is also the reason I don’t like the traditional IGF-1 that was around for some time. (you may want to read the info on IFG-1 long chain)
The bottom line is that nobody can deny that insulin is potent and works, but the risks associated with it overrides the benefits and mark my words – if you play with this stuff it is going to burn you, don’t come crying if you survive!²
There really is no reliable test for insulin so athletes make use of it in some sports.
