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Insulin a Potential Health Risk for Bodybuilders
Some of the biggest names in bodybuilding are using insulin, this is kind of unfortunate if you think about it, especially considering that there are a lot of diabetics in the world who are forced to take insulin shots every day, not only can it be costly, Insulin is one of the most widely used substances among bodybuilders,
it is a hormone that can help bodybuilders pack on massive amounts of muscle, yet if used incorrectly can lead to death.
What does insulin do?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, it is essential for regulating fat and carbohydrates in the body. The liver, fatty tissue and muscles all absorb insulin, it is then converted into glycogen.
Insulin is incredibly anabolic, even more so than testosterone.
The pancreas produces normal amounts of insulin for daily function. If a bodybuilder injects more insulin it provides the muscle cells with an abundance of nutrients helping bodybuilders get massive. Using insulin can give a bodybuilder bigger pumps and increase muscle mass.
There are three kinds of insulin commonly used by bodybuilders, some are slow acting, others are fast acting. If you don't know what you are doing you should completely avoid the fast acting insulin.
The most popular insulin used by bodybuilders is Humulin R and Humulin N which are slow acting, Humalog is a fast-acting insulin.
You can buy insulin without a prescription from Wallmart and most any local drugstores, there is no need for a prescription which makes insulin more dangerous than other anabolic substances.
Most people think that since insulin is readily available it is safe, however, if it is not properly used it can cause many side effects, even death.
Possible side effects of insulin
Most bodybuilders claim insulin is harmless, most heavy users have found that the right doses work for them, but there have been many situations that have caused very bad experiences among bodybuilders including death. If your diet is not spot on, you may experience some bad side effects that can cause the following;
- Low blood sugar
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- fast heartbeat
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Seizure or convulsions
So how do bodybuilders use insulin?
Most bodybuilders take insulin on days when they train hard, it is usually used at the end of the training session when they have depleted their body of glycogen stores, this helps the muscles rebuild quickly, insulin helps increase anabolism to some degree.
After an insulin shot, bodybuilders will consume a combination of carbohydrates (100- 200grams) along with 40-50 grams of good protein which can come from supplements such as whey protein, pea protein etc.
Some bodybuilders also take creatine after an insulin shot, they claim that the insulin helps get creatine flowing into the skeletal muscles fast.
Insulin is widely used by many bodybuilders
There is no doubt that insulin is used by many amateur and pro bodybuilders, most bodybuilders always make the same comment “insulin is safe if you know what you are doing” having said that I would strongly avoid its use, just talk to the average diabetic and they can tell you about the torture they go through with high and low sugar spikes, it is not fun.
If you do choose to take insulin make sure you talk to a pro, personally I would not trust taking it, and much less taking advice from anyone, especially when it concerns my health and longevity.
Conclusion
Before taking insulin there are is a lot of information from many online forums, I would make sure you take a look at some of the side effects that are caused by this readily available substance.
Insulin on the surface seems to offer many benefits to bodybuilders but if not taken properly can have many bad side effects.
