Ep 78: How Insulin Causes Weight Gain in PCOS

High insulin is without a doubt the number 1 cause of why you aren’t losing weight with PCOS. There are other possibilities including low thyroid function, but high insulin and blood sugar dysregulation is the most common. 

 

Let’s unpack what’s happening in the body when you have high insulin:

 

Insulin and Blood Sugar Regulation:

  • Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas in response to an increase in blood sugar (glucose) levels after you eat.
  • Its primary role is to help regulate blood sugar by facilitating the uptake of glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for later use.
  • When blood sugar levels are high, such as after consuming a meal rich in carbohydrates, the body releases more insulin to lower blood sugar by storing excess glucose as glycogen in the liver and muscles or as fat.

 

Role of Insulin in Fat Storage:

  • When insulin levels are high, it signals the body to store more fat.
  • High insulin levels can also inhibit the breakdown of stored fat (lipolysis). This means that even if you’re consuming fewer calories than you burn, your body may struggle to use stored fat for energy if insulin levels remain elevated.

 

What this all means is that it’s not enough to simply move more or and eat less to lose weight with PCOS. Instead, you need to eat in a way that prioritises blood sugar control. Rather than eating less calories, you need to eat macro-nutrients that stabilise your sugars and allow your insulin to reduce. 

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