Here is an insulin article from a different board, posted by doom.
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 ****, 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 walmart. 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 OTC drugs 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
http://www.meso-rx.com/steroid-profiles/insulin.htm
not to use slin for more than 4 weeks at a maximum of 4 days on 3days off
per week then...
anabolicdiabetic and other experts contend that like steroids insulin on
time should be followed by an equal insulin off time. Humilin R should be
injected subcutaneously only with a U-100 insulin syringe. Insulin syringes
are available without a prescription in many states. If the athlete can not
purchase the syringes at a pharmacy, he can mail order them or buy them on
the black market. Using a syringe other than a U-100 is dangerous since it
will be difficult to measure out the correct dosage. Subcutaneous insulin
injections are usually given by pinching a fold of skin in the abdomen area.
To speed up the effect of the insulin, many athletes will inject their dose
into the thigh or triceps.
Most athletes will bring their insulin with them to the gym. Insulin should
be refrigerated, but it is all right to keep it in a gym bag as long as it
is kept away from excessive heat. Immediately after a workout, the athlete
will inject his dosage of insulin. Within the next fifteen minutes, he
should have a carbohydrate drink such as Ultra Fuel by Twinlab. The athlete
should consume at least 10 grams of carbohydrates for every 1 IU of insulin
injected. Most athletes will also take creatine monohydrate with their
carbohydrate drink since the insulin will help to force the creatine into
the muscles. An hour or so after injecting insulin, most athletes will eat a
meal or consume a protein shake. The carbohydrate drink and meal/protein
shake are necessary. Without them, blood sugar levels will drop dangerously
low and the athlete will most likely go into a state of hypoglycemia.
Many athletes will get sleepy after injecting insulin. This may be a symptom
of hypoglycemia, and an athlete should probably consume more carbohydrates.
Avoid the temptation to go to bed since the insulin may take its peak effect
during sleep and significantly drop glucose levels. Being unaware of the
warning signs during his slumber, the athlete is at a high risk of going
into a state of severe hypoglycemia without anyone realizing it. Humulin R
usually remains active for only 4 hours with a peak at about two hours after
injecting. An athlete would be wise to stay up for the 4 hours after
injecting.
Rather than waiting to the end of a workout, many athletes prefer to inject
their insulin dosage 30 minutes before their training session is over and
then consume a carbohydrate drink immediately following the workout. This
will make the insulin more efficient at bringing glycogen to the muscles,
but it will also increase the danger of hypoglycemia. Some athletes will
even inject a few IUs before lifting to improve their pump. This practice is
extremely risky and best left to athletes with experience using insulin.
Finally, some athletes like to inject insulin upon waking in the morning.
After the injection, they will consume a carbohydrate drink and then have
breakfast within the next hour. Some athletes find this application of
insulin very beneficial for putting on mass, while others will tend to put
on excess fat using insulin in this way.
Insulin use can not be detected during a drug test. For this reason, along
with the fact that it is cheap and readily available, insulin has become a
popular drug among the competitive athlete. However, before an athlete
attempts to use insulin, he should educate himself and make himself aware of
the consequences.
:
Linear Mode
