Insulin Support Precursor

Take two capsules before food if you're having a sugary or carbohydrate-heavy meal.

It is a natural alternative to common insulin drugs. It helps your body manage insulin levels. It improves your immune system's regulation of inflammation – increasing insulin receptor sensitivity and beta cell insulin production regulation.

Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas. When you eat, especially carbohydrates, your body breaks the food down into glucose (a type of sugar). Glucose then enters your bloodstream. Insulin's primary job is to allow glucose to enter your body's cells. Once inside the cells, glucose is used for energy. Insulin’s main gig? To regulate blood sugar levels. Without it, glucose would just hang out in your bloodstream, causing all sorts of trouble.

When we talk about "what is in insulin", if you're talking about the insulin your body produces, it's a protein hormone. If you're talking about synthetic insulin (used by people with diabetes), it's a pharmaceutical product designed to mimic your body's natural insulin. It's not like a cocktail with a bunch of random ingredients, but a specific molecular structure.

However, when we're talking about supplements that support healthy insulin function, that's where ingredients like Choline Bitartrate, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B1), Astragalus Membranaceus, Myo-Inositol, Holy Basil, Pyridoxal 5 Phosphate, Korean Ginseng, Riboflavin 5-Phosphate Sodium (Vitamin B2), Cordyceps Sinensis, D-Biotin (Vitamin B7), Dihydro-Berberine, and Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) come into play. These aren't in the insulin itself, but they're often found in formulations aiming to support the body's sensitivity to insulin or overall metabolic health!

1. You eat (anything, really!).
2. Your digestive system breaks it down into glucose.
3. Glucose levels in your blood go up.
4. Your pancreas gets the memo and releases insulin.
5. Insulin travels through your bloodstream, knocking on the doors of your cells.
6. Cells (like muscle, fat, and liver cells) open up, and glucose waltzes in.
7. Voila! Blood sugar levels come back down.

Your pancreas is the rockstar organ responsible for whipping up insulin.

Insulin Side Effects?

If you're taking prescribed insulin (for diabetes), the most common side effect is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). This happens if you take too much insulin, don't eat enough, or exercise more than usual. Symptoms can include:

• Shakiness
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Irritability
• Hunger
• Fast heartbeat

Other potential, less common side effects can include:

• Weight gain (because insulin helps your body store glucose)
• Reactions at the injection site (redness, swelling)
• Allergic reactions (rare)

Always follow your doctor's instructions for insulin dosage and be aware of the signs of low blood sugar!

Insulin resistance occurs when your cells stop responding effectively to insulin. Normally, insulin acts like a key, unlocking your cells so glucose (sugar from your food) can enter and be used for energy.

When you have insulin resistance:

• Your cells become less responsive to insulin's signal.
• As a result, less glucose enters your cells, and more of it builds up in your bloodstream.
• Your pancreas tries to compensate by producing more and more insulin to get the glucose into the cells.
• This constant overproduction can eventually exhaust the pancreas, leading to consistently high blood sugar levels.

Over time, insulin resistance can be a significant factor in the development of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. It can also impact your energy levels, weight management, and overall health.

Insulin resistance can be a real ninja – often showing up without a grand announcement. You might not even realise you have it! However, some common signs and symptoms include:

• Craving sweets and carbs like crazy: Your cells aren't getting enough energy, so they scream for more!
• Feeling tired, especially after meals: Even if you just ate, your cells might not be getting the glucose they need for fuel.
• Weight gain, especially around the belly: Insulin resistance can make it harder for your body to burn fat and easier to store it, particularly in the midsection.
• Difficulty losing weight: Even with diet and exercise, the scale might not budge.
• Increased hunger, even after eating: Again, your cells are starving, so your body thinks you need more food.
• Brain fog or difficulty concentrating: Your brain needs glucose! If it's not getting in efficiently, you might feel fuzzy.
• High blood pressure: Insulin resistance can impact blood vessel function.
• High cholesterol/triglycerides: Another metabolic hiccup often linked.
• Skin tags or dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans), especially in armpits, neck, or groin: This is a classic sign of high insulin levels trying to do their job.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in women: Insulin resistance is a common underlying factor in PCOS.
• Trouble sleeping or feeling restless: Metabolic imbalances can affect sleep.
• Increased thirst and frequent urination (later stages, often pointing towards prediabetes/diabetes): Your body trying to flush out excess sugar.

Remember, if you're experiencing several of these, it's worth a chat with your doctor!

Insulin Support is suitable for vegans and vegetarians. For those with pre-existing medical conditions, see precautions FAQ or consult with your doctor.

This product is a supplement and should be used in conjunction with food as part of a healthy and varied diet and not as a substitute. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use if seal is broken. Not recommended for children. Consult a GP prior to taking supplements if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medication.

Cordyceps Sinensis may interact with anticoagulants and antiplatelets, increasing the bleeding risk.

There is evidence to suggest that D-Biotin can interfere with blood tests for thyroid function. 

If you are taking levothyroxine and have routine monitoring, or are having a test for other reasons, inform your doctor you are taking this supplement. 

Ginseng has been shown to have oestrogenic activity in animal studies. It may interact with treatments that reduce oestrogen activity (e.g. tamoxifen). 

Ginseng can have glucose lowering effects, therefore use with caution if you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and are taking glucose lowering medications. 

Ginseng may reduce the effect of warfarin.

We wouldn't recommend taking this with every meal - just as we wouldn't advise every meal to be sugar and/or carb loaded. Do take 2 capsules before a carb and/or sugar rich meal, or if you are indulging in anything else that may spike your insulin.

Is it working?
As ever with biohacking.. this is about you and your body. As you continue to take this supplement, you are helping your body improve insulin resistance. You will start to feel it is working because you will start to have more energy during the day and not feel a slump in the same way after a carb/sugar heavy meal. The best way to effectively measure if it is working is to use a blood glucose finger prick test (available here) or invest in a continuous blood glucose monitor.

How long?
Technically, it depends on the severity of your glucose and lipid dysregulation. What this means is - how bad is your body at responding to insulin spikes? What this means is - how bad is your body at responding to insulin spikes?