Ollie B

Taken from bbing.com

Unbridled enthusiasm is a common characteristic for most fledgling beginners. With this unbridled enthusiasm comes an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, which manifests itself as childlike curiosity. Unfortunately, like a sponge these fledgling beginners absorb any and all information and misinformation thrown their way. With this ferocity for learning, these new trainees embark on training programs from muscle magazines, advice from gym rats, and any other advice from anyone willing to give it.
The role of insulin is a current topic reverberating through gyms everywhere. Insulin is a hormone best known for its role in glucose metabolism. In an attempt to provide some clear scientific information to our trainers, this article will discuss the different classifications of carbohydrates, and how the body regulates blood glucose levels. Practical applications to bodybuilders will close out the article.



Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates provide direct energy for the human brain, central nervous system, and muscle cells in the form of glucose (blood sugar). Carbohydrates can be broken down into simple carbohydrates or complex carbohydrates.

Simple
Simple Carbohydrates are sugars, organic compounds whose bonds are easily broken down by digestion. Sugars are classified as monosaccharides (mono = one), or disaccharides (di= two). Monosaccharides include glucose, galactose, and fructose. Disaccharides are two monosaccharide units linked together and include maltose (two glucose units), sucrose (fructose plus glucose), and lactose (galactose plus glucose). Your body only has the ability to absorb monosaccharides into the blood.

Complex
Complex carbohydrates are defined as polysaccharides (poly = many) that are found in starch and fiber. Starches are polysaccharides humans can digest, but must be broken down into monosaccharides before they can be taken into the blood. Polysaccharides are either linear (amylose-polymer of 400 to thousands of glucose) or branched (amlyopectin-polymer containing hundreds of glucose).
Glycogen (stored glucose within the muscle), is similar in structure to amylopectin, and will be discussed later in bodybuilding applications. Cellulose is fiber within vegetables which humans are unable to break down and absorb into the blood.



How The Body Uses Carbohydrates
The body, after digestion and absorption through the walls of the small intestines, can put glucose to work in three ways:

1. It can burn the glucose immediately within mitochondria, releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy.
2. If the glucose is not needed immediately, it is converted by the liver or the muscles into glycogen. Muscle glycogen provides energy only to muscles. Liver glycogen can supply energy to any part of the body.
3. Any glucose left over after glycogen saturation is converted to fat by the liver, and stored in adipose tissue around the body. The degree and pattern of fat buildup depends on an array of factors, but are primarily linked to whether a person consistently consumes more calories than are burned through activity.

Blood-Sugar Connection
The body's natural regulatory system automatically maintains close control over the level of blood glucose. The body has approximately 20 grams of blood borne glucose circulating continuously. If blood sugar increases then the pancreas releases insulin. If this level is too low than glucagon is released.
Pancreas
Monitors blood glucose concentrationsIf Blood Glucose Levels Are Too High Insulin Is ReleasedIf Glucose Levels Are Too Low Glucagon Is ReleasedIt Signals:
fat and muscle cells to Absorb glucoseIt Signals:
the liver to break down glycogen and release glucose to the blood Thus lowering blood glucose to normal levelsThus raising blood glucose to normal levelsHappens right after a mealHappens between meals
Note: Muscle glycogen does not provide glucose to the blood. Muscle glycogen is used only by muscle tissue.

Bodybuilding Applications
It is important for bodybuilders to understand that when insulin levels are high your body will store excess glucose as bodyweight. Unfortunately, your body does not care if it is muscle weight or fat weight. It is important to realize the difference in carbohydrates and their use by muscle tissue. Enzymes within muscles readily metabolize starch, which is broken down into usable glucose. The liver has the intermediary enzymes to convert glucose, fructose, galactose, amino acids, and other metabolites for its glycogen stores.
Since your muscles have the ability to store 250 to 400 grams of glycogen and your liver only has the ability to store 100 grams of glycogen, it is advisable to keep a high proportion of your carbohydrate calories from complex sources. As mentioned earlier, muscle glycogen is only used by muscle tissue. Since muscle glycogen is similar to an amylopectin as in starch, it is logical to supply your body with complex carbohydrates to replenish muscle glycogen stores. At first glance carbohydrates and insulin can be a confusing topic and if left to the rhetoric of the average gym can spawn into a deluge of misinformation. We hope that this article served to clarify some of the confusion surrounding carbohydrates and insulin.

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Ashley's a great player, I'm not denying that. But I think if you speak to Ashley, he's Arsnal through and through. It is the same with me, I don't want to ever leave Chelsea - John Terry
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wogihao

To keep most of your carbs complex, thats a intresting view. Both Chad N and Milos use simple carbs in there aproaches?

If someones useing insulin above a certain point isnt the danger that your body is takeing to much time processing the complex carbs and a dangeriously low blood sugar level will occur?

Can I ask how you would use it Ollie?

TH&S

Wogi - the article is just basically on about natty insulin....

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D: 220 | B: 110 | S: 170 | Target: 550

Magic Torch

Is the article talking about natrual levels of insulin tho? It doesn't mention injecting it.

I think its basically saying that if you eat too many simple carbs then you can get fat, and that you should eat complex carbs to store energy?

I really dont think its talking about post workut Insulin injections, more about how you're body works with carbs and slin.

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Magic Torch

Beat me to it rusty

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Ollie B

yeah its more about your body

__________________
Ashley's a great player, I'm not denying that. But I think if you speak to Ashley, he's Arsnal through and through. It is the same with me, I don't want to ever leave Chelsea - John Terry
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wogihao

Ahhh I understand...

lol silly me.

I was there reading it thinking crappy article it dosent tell you what type to use ect...

and the complex carb thing lol...

ah well back to my hole.

natural insulin ahhh it all makes sence.