insulin
6 interactions related to insulin
insulin + chromium
Chromium increases insulin sensitivity at the muscle cell, which means each unit of injected insulin produces a larger glucose-lowering effect than your dose was calibrated for. The result can be unpredictable hypoglycemia, particularly between meals and overnight when basal insulin is acting.
leucine + carbohydrates
Leucine activates mTOR-driven muscle protein synthesis and stimulates insulin release. Combined with carbohydrate, the insulin response is amplified roughly 2.5-fold over carbs alone, which suppresses muscle protein breakdown and increases amino acid uptake.
smoking + insulin
Smoking reduces subcutaneous insulin absorption through vasoconstriction and worsens insulin resistance through nicotine-driven catecholamine release, oxidative stress, and inflammation, with HbA1c rising progressively with cigarettes per day. Diabetic smokers typically need 15-30% more insulin than non-smokers to achieve the same glycemic control.
creatine + carbohydrates
Co-ingesting creatine with carbohydrate spikes insulin, which upregulates the sodium-dependent creatine transporter and Na+/K+ pump activity in skeletal muscle, increasing intramuscular creatine retention.
bcaa + carbohydrates
Carbohydrate co-ingestion with branched-chain amino acids amplifies the insulin response, which suppresses muscle protein breakdown while leucine-driven mTOR signaling stimulates protein synthesis. Carbs also replenish glycogen depleted during training.
alcohol + insulin
Alcohol suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis, removing a key safety net against low blood sugar; insulin lowers glucose directly. Combined, they can cause severe, prolonged, and delayed hypoglycemia, especially when drinking on an empty stomach or overnight.