Acnemans Insulin FAQ
what is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the
pancreas that controls the metabolism and cellular uptake of
sugars, proteins, and fats. As a drug, it is used principally
to control diabetes. Insulin is not a steroid.
What type of insulin should I use for bodybuilding?
Humulin R and Humulog are the only insulins I recommend
because they act fast and are out of the body fastest(this
makes them the safest). I have never used Humalog but
understand that aside from quicker onset and half-life it is
essentially the same.
Why do I want to use insulin?
Insulin has been called "Anabolicus Maximus" by some gurus of
the bodybuilding world. Insulin can give you greater gains
than you have ever had using anabolics alone. Insulin, in
combination with androgens and resistance exercise, may
trigger maturation of satellite muscle cells (small, more or
less useless cells that are held in reserve, which do not
contribute to muscular strength) into mature muscle cells that
do contribute to muscular size and strength. How freakin cool
is that. Hyperinsulinemia has been shown to stimulate protein
synthesis in isolated limb infusion experiments , these
anabolic properties seem to be the result of insulin binding
to IGF-1 receptors.
If insulin is so great why aren't all diabetics huge?
Diabetics have a disease and use insulin to replace endogenous
insulin that they cannot produce. Bodybuilders use insulin in
a totally different way. Some diabetic bodybuilders manipulate
their insulin use to use insulin for muscle growth and get
good results but changing dosages and times of injection of
insulin for diabetics can be dangerous.
Isn't taking insulin dangerous?
ummm YES! Before deciding to take insulin here is what you
have to do to be safe.
Insulin safety
1. Do not use slin alone have a training partner or girlfriend
who's not using slin hang around with you from the time you
take the slin to about 2.5/4 hrs after.
2. Tell you're partner to look for anything out of the norm
for your personality and have a list of questions like your
ssn or address etc that they can ask you. Don't joke around,
and answer them without shit, because if you cant answer or
refuse to answer it could be a sign of hypoglycemia(low blood
sugar). Symptoms of hypoglycemia include disorientation,
headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat,
sweating, tremor, and nausea.
3. If you cant/wont answer or are feeling the symptoms of
hypoglycemia they should be prepared to feed you carbs like
pancake syrup, coke, sugary stuff. I bought glucose tablets at
[FONT=tahoma, verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]walmart[/FONT]. kinda like candy but gets in the blood faster and
dissolve quickly. these are for diabetics ask at the pharmacy.
4. Have your partner know that if they suspect low blood sugar
and cant convince or force you to consume carbs until your
better. CALL 911 and ask for an ambulance and tell the truth
to the operator... that they suspect you are in insulin shock
and explain when they get there(the ambulance guys not the
cops) that you are not diabetic but using insulin for anabolic
purposes. Have the type of slin, the dosage and carbs consumed
recorded to give the paramedic. They will save your life. Then
you refuse transport to the hospital and eat. It might be a
good idea to make sure your house is "clean" before every
workout just in case the bad thing happens and the cops ask a
lot of questions.
5. Why so much preparation for the possible problem?? insulin
can kill you in minutes if you go down!!
6. Take the carbs and protein together immediately after
injecting the slin(dont take chances trying to time out 15 min
after injection). Take the protein with the carbs because the
protein is pushed into the muscles with the slin also(creatine
too).
7. Before an hour passes you should eat a normal balanced
meal(high protein low fat with carbs).
8. Consume another small high protein medium carb low fat meal
at 2.5 hours after the injection. Congrats you lived.(keep
some gatoraid on hand just to make sure because your not gonna
have a lifeline)
9. YAWN... Don't go to sleep within 4/6 hours of using insulin
since you can develop hypoglycemia while asleep and not have
warning signs.
Ok I'm not scared I still want to use insulin...
Where do i get it?
Humulin R is over the counter (OTC) just about everywhere.
Humulog is new and is still a prescription drug is some
places. BUT... Insulin is NOT a controlled substance and will
not be confiscated by customs or postal inspectors so order it
online if you cant get it locally. Its legal.
Where do I keep it? (STORAGE)
The FDA requires that all preparations of insulin contain
instructions to keep in a cold place and to avoid freezing.
The refrigerator is a good spot. Unrefrigerated insulin can be
kept of 28 days as long as it stays in a cool and dark place.
Where/how do I inject insulin?
The best sites for insulin injection are in the subcutaneous
tissue of the abdomen(avoid the area close to bellybutton)
.Usually, you should not inject within 1 inch of the same site
within 1 month. The arms and legs can also be used, but
insulin uptake from these sites is less uniform. Insulin
should be injected subcutaneously only with a U-100 insulin
syringe. "B-D ultra-fine" insulin syringes are good. Insulin
syringes are available without a prescription in many states.
If you cant purchase the syringes at a pharmacy, you can mail
order them. Using a syringe other than a specific insulin
syringe is dangerous since it will be difficult to measure out
the correct dosage.
How much insulin should I take?
I recommend never using over 10IU. 10IU is enough to make you
grow.
In general Dosages used are usually 1 IU per 20 pounds of lean
bodyweight. So a 220lb bodybuilder with 9% body-fat would use
10iu of insulin(aprox200lb lean mass/20 = 10iu). But even
experienced insulin users shouldn't use max dosage at the
beginning of an insulin cycle. First-time users should start
at a low dosage and gradually work up. For example, first
begin with 2 IU and then increase the dosage by 1 IU every
consecutive workout until you reach your calculated dose or
determine a maximum personal dose(some people are more
sensitive to insulin sides like hypoglycemia). This will allow
the athlete to determine a dosage he can safely use. Insulin
dosages can vary significantly among athletes and are
dependent upon insulin sensitivity and the use of other drugs.
Athletes using growth hormone and thyroid might have higher
insulin requirements.
When do I take insulin?
It is my opinion that you should only take insulin after a
work out, never before or when not working out, because before
a work out you could crash and die during the workout and when
your not working out it makes you fat. Some people disagree
with this. IF you want, get some info from them and try it.
But remember I told ya so.
When do i eat after using insulin?
Immediately!!! DO NOT TRY TO TIME YOUR CONSUMPTION OF CARBS!!
You should immediately take a carbohydrate AND protein drink
after taking you're insulin. I've stated this twice because it
is very important. Even experienced insulin users can get a
surprise now and then.
Eat a meal at about an hour after using insulin. Consume
another small high protein medium carb low fat meal at 2.5
hours after the injection. keep some gatoraid on hand just to
make sure. Remember that insulin can still work much later so
be careful and eat if you feel hypoglycemia symptoms.
What do I eat after using insulin?
Some people recommend a zero fat intake for 4 hours after
taking insulin. I do not disagree with this. But if your
bulking you can be a little relaxed on this. But high fat
intake after taking insulin can lead to high body fat.
The carb/protein drink taken after the insulin shot should
contain AT LEAST 10 grams of carbs and 5 grams of quality
protein per IU of insulin injected with little or no
fat(creatine taken in this drink is optional but works great).
Before an hour passes you should eat a normal balanced
meal(high protein low fat with carbs). At 2.5 hours after the
injection you should Consume a small meal. keep some gatoraid
on hand just to make sure. Remember that insulin can still
work much later so be careful and eat if you feel hypoglycemia
symptoms. Once again i've stated this twice because it is
important.
***Some insulin users recommend far less carbs than I have
stated above. This is a personal decision you will have to
make since it could be very dangerous...Even deadly! My
opinion is to take the carbs and learn to diet after bulking
if you gain too much fat.***
How long should/can I take insulin?
Short cycles please because you could have side effects. It is
suspected that you could become an insulin dependant diabetic
but I have never seen proof, but is it worth the risk? I would
only use it a few times a week(maximum 4 on 3 off) for no more
than 3/4 weeks.
What should I avoid while using insulin?
Do not use alcohol. It lowers blood sugar, and you may
experience dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Do not change your workout in the middle of a cycle of
insulin. Changes in how much you exercise can change the
amount of insulin you can tolerate and maintain blood sugar
levels.
Do not take any recreational drugs at the same time as insulin
since they could mask symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Do not change the brand of insulin or syringe that you are
using without first talking to a doctor or pharmacist. Some
brands of insulin and syringes are interchangeable, while
others are not.
Do not use insulin if you are sick with a cold, flu, or fever.
These illnesses may change your insulin requirements..
Do not use any insulin that is discolored, looks thick, has
particles in it, or looks different from the way it looked
when you bought it.
Do not use [FONT=tahoma, verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]OTC drugs[/FONT] that will cause drowsiness within 6 hours
of using insulin.
Do not go to sleep within 4/6 hours of using insulin since you
can develop hypoglycemia while asleep and not have warning
signs.
What are the possible side effects of insulin besides
hypoglycemia?
Rarely, people have allergic reactions to insulin. Seek
emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Hypothetically, one could become an insulin dependent diabetic
if insulin is used too long.
references
[FONT=tahoma, verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Insulin Profile[/FONT]
Elisabeth R. Barton-Davis, Daria I. Shoturma, Antonio Musaro,
Nadia Rosenthal, and H. Lee Sweeney. Viral mediated expression
of insulin-like growth factor I blocks the aging-related loss
of skeletal muscle function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
22;95(26):15603-7, 1998
what is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the beta cells of the
pancreas that controls the metabolism and cellular uptake of
sugars, proteins, and fats. As a drug, it is used principally
to control diabetes. Insulin is not a steroid.
What type of insulin should I use for bodybuilding?
Humulin R and Humulog are the only insulins I recommend
because they act fast and are out of the body fastest(this
makes them the safest). I have never used Humalog but
understand that aside from quicker onset and half-life it is
essentially the same.
Why do I want to use insulin?
Insulin has been called "Anabolicus Maximus" by some gurus of
the bodybuilding world. Insulin can give you greater gains
than you have ever had using anabolics alone. Insulin, in
combination with androgens and resistance exercise, may
trigger maturation of satellite muscle cells (small, more or
less useless cells that are held in reserve, which do not
contribute to muscular strength) into mature muscle cells that
do contribute to muscular size and strength. How freakin cool
is that. Hyperinsulinemia has been shown to stimulate protein
synthesis in isolated limb infusion experiments , these
anabolic properties seem to be the result of insulin binding
to IGF-1 receptors.
If insulin is so great why aren't all diabetics huge?
Diabetics have a disease and use insulin to replace endogenous
insulin that they cannot produce. Bodybuilders use insulin in
a totally different way. Some diabetic bodybuilders manipulate
their insulin use to use insulin for muscle growth and get
good results but changing dosages and times of injection of
insulin for diabetics can be dangerous.
Isn't taking insulin dangerous?
ummm YES! Before deciding to take insulin here is what you
have to do to be safe.
Insulin safety
1. Do not use slin alone have a training partner or girlfriend
who's not using slin hang around with you from the time you
take the slin to about 2.5/4 hrs after.
2. Tell you're partner to look for anything out of the norm
for your personality and have a list of questions like your
ssn or address etc that they can ask you. Don't joke around,
and answer them without shit, because if you cant answer or
refuse to answer it could be a sign of hypoglycemia(low blood
sugar). Symptoms of hypoglycemia include disorientation,
headache, drowsiness, weakness, dizziness, fast heartbeat,
sweating, tremor, and nausea.
3. If you cant/wont answer or are feeling the symptoms of
hypoglycemia they should be prepared to feed you carbs like
pancake syrup, coke, sugary stuff. I bought glucose tablets at
[FONT=tahoma, verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]walmart[/FONT]. kinda like candy but gets in the blood faster and
dissolve quickly. these are for diabetics ask at the pharmacy.
4. Have your partner know that if they suspect low blood sugar
and cant convince or force you to consume carbs until your
better. CALL 911 and ask for an ambulance and tell the truth
to the operator... that they suspect you are in insulin shock
and explain when they get there(the ambulance guys not the
cops) that you are not diabetic but using insulin for anabolic
purposes. Have the type of slin, the dosage and carbs consumed
recorded to give the paramedic. They will save your life. Then
you refuse transport to the hospital and eat. It might be a
good idea to make sure your house is "clean" before every
workout just in case the bad thing happens and the cops ask a
lot of questions.
5. Why so much preparation for the possible problem?? insulin
can kill you in minutes if you go down!!
6. Take the carbs and protein together immediately after
injecting the slin(dont take chances trying to time out 15 min
after injection). Take the protein with the carbs because the
protein is pushed into the muscles with the slin also(creatine
too).
7. Before an hour passes you should eat a normal balanced
meal(high protein low fat with carbs).
8. Consume another small high protein medium carb low fat meal
at 2.5 hours after the injection. Congrats you lived.(keep
some gatoraid on hand just to make sure because your not gonna
have a lifeline)
9. YAWN... Don't go to sleep within 4/6 hours of using insulin
since you can develop hypoglycemia while asleep and not have
warning signs.
Ok I'm not scared I still want to use insulin...
Where do i get it?
Humulin R is over the counter (OTC) just about everywhere.
Humulog is new and is still a prescription drug is some
places. BUT... Insulin is NOT a controlled substance and will
not be confiscated by customs or postal inspectors so order it
online if you cant get it locally. Its legal.
Where do I keep it? (STORAGE)
The FDA requires that all preparations of insulin contain
instructions to keep in a cold place and to avoid freezing.
The refrigerator is a good spot. Unrefrigerated insulin can be
kept of 28 days as long as it stays in a cool and dark place.
Where/how do I inject insulin?
The best sites for insulin injection are in the subcutaneous
tissue of the abdomen(avoid the area close to bellybutton)
.Usually, you should not inject within 1 inch of the same site
within 1 month. The arms and legs can also be used, but
insulin uptake from these sites is less uniform. Insulin
should be injected subcutaneously only with a U-100 insulin
syringe. "B-D ultra-fine" insulin syringes are good. Insulin
syringes are available without a prescription in many states.
If you cant purchase the syringes at a pharmacy, you can mail
order them. Using a syringe other than a specific insulin
syringe is dangerous since it will be difficult to measure out
the correct dosage.
How much insulin should I take?
I recommend never using over 10IU. 10IU is enough to make you
grow.
In general Dosages used are usually 1 IU per 20 pounds of lean
bodyweight. So a 220lb bodybuilder with 9% body-fat would use
10iu of insulin(aprox200lb lean mass/20 = 10iu). But even
experienced insulin users shouldn't use max dosage at the
beginning of an insulin cycle. First-time users should start
at a low dosage and gradually work up. For example, first
begin with 2 IU and then increase the dosage by 1 IU every
consecutive workout until you reach your calculated dose or
determine a maximum personal dose(some people are more
sensitive to insulin sides like hypoglycemia). This will allow
the athlete to determine a dosage he can safely use. Insulin
dosages can vary significantly among athletes and are
dependent upon insulin sensitivity and the use of other drugs.
Athletes using growth hormone and thyroid might have higher
insulin requirements.
When do I take insulin?
It is my opinion that you should only take insulin after a
work out, never before or when not working out, because before
a work out you could crash and die during the workout and when
your not working out it makes you fat. Some people disagree
with this. IF you want, get some info from them and try it.
But remember I told ya so.
When do i eat after using insulin?
Immediately!!! DO NOT TRY TO TIME YOUR CONSUMPTION OF CARBS!!
You should immediately take a carbohydrate AND protein drink
after taking you're insulin. I've stated this twice because it
is very important. Even experienced insulin users can get a
surprise now and then.
Eat a meal at about an hour after using insulin. Consume
another small high protein medium carb low fat meal at 2.5
hours after the injection. keep some gatoraid on hand just to
make sure. Remember that insulin can still work much later so
be careful and eat if you feel hypoglycemia symptoms.
What do I eat after using insulin?
Some people recommend a zero fat intake for 4 hours after
taking insulin. I do not disagree with this. But if your
bulking you can be a little relaxed on this. But high fat
intake after taking insulin can lead to high body fat.
The carb/protein drink taken after the insulin shot should
contain AT LEAST 10 grams of carbs and 5 grams of quality
protein per IU of insulin injected with little or no
fat(creatine taken in this drink is optional but works great).
Before an hour passes you should eat a normal balanced
meal(high protein low fat with carbs). At 2.5 hours after the
injection you should Consume a small meal. keep some gatoraid
on hand just to make sure. Remember that insulin can still
work much later so be careful and eat if you feel hypoglycemia
symptoms. Once again i've stated this twice because it is
important.
***Some insulin users recommend far less carbs than I have
stated above. This is a personal decision you will have to
make since it could be very dangerous...Even deadly! My
opinion is to take the carbs and learn to diet after bulking
if you gain too much fat.***
How long should/can I take insulin?
Short cycles please because you could have side effects. It is
suspected that you could become an insulin dependant diabetic
but I have never seen proof, but is it worth the risk? I would
only use it a few times a week(maximum 4 on 3 off) for no more
than 3/4 weeks.
What should I avoid while using insulin?
Do not use alcohol. It lowers blood sugar, and you may
experience dangerously low blood sugar levels.
Do not change your workout in the middle of a cycle of
insulin. Changes in how much you exercise can change the
amount of insulin you can tolerate and maintain blood sugar
levels.
Do not take any recreational drugs at the same time as insulin
since they could mask symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Do not change the brand of insulin or syringe that you are
using without first talking to a doctor or pharmacist. Some
brands of insulin and syringes are interchangeable, while
others are not.
Do not use insulin if you are sick with a cold, flu, or fever.
These illnesses may change your insulin requirements..
Do not use any insulin that is discolored, looks thick, has
particles in it, or looks different from the way it looked
when you bought it.
Do not use [FONT=tahoma, verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]OTC drugs[/FONT] that will cause drowsiness within 6 hours
of using insulin.
Do not go to sleep within 4/6 hours of using insulin since you
can develop hypoglycemia while asleep and not have warning
signs.
What are the possible side effects of insulin besides
hypoglycemia?
Rarely, people have allergic reactions to insulin. Seek
emergency medical attention if you experience an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).
Hypothetically, one could become an insulin dependent diabetic
if insulin is used too long.
references
[FONT=tahoma, verdana, geneva, lucida, lucida grande, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Insulin Profile[/FONT]
Elisabeth R. Barton-Davis, Daria I. Shoturma, Antonio Musaro,
Nadia Rosenthal, and H. Lee Sweeney. Viral mediated expression
of insulin-like growth factor I blocks the aging-related loss
of skeletal muscle function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
22;95(26):15603-7, 1998
