Insulin, while performing lifesaving functions like leveling out blood sugar levels, does so by increasing the risk of heart and other diseases and by contributing to obesity. The normal concentration of blood sugar is from 80 to 120 milligrams of glucose for each 100 milliliters of blood.6

We understand that insulin is somehow associated with diabetes and that insulin’s job is to bring down excessively high levels of blood sugar. Type II diabetics have either lost the ability to secrete enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels in check or have developed a condition called insulin resistance, which essentially "locks" insulin out of target cells and keeps it circulating at high levels, a major risk factor in the development of cardiovascular and artery diseases. Insulin regulatory mechanisms break down from weak genetics, obesity, or from the overuse of blood sugar homeostatic mechanisms (eating too much sugar!). Stress also plays a role in increased insulin resistance.

‘When I get annoyed about something I go after the largest carbonated drink I can find!"

MIKE

The role insulin plays in the body, however, is much more diverse and powerful than bringing blood sugar levels under control. As one textbook terms it, "The major function of insulin is to promote storage of ingested nutrients." As a storage hormone, it has an impact on virtually every tissue in the body. Insulin’s primary targets are the liver, muscles, and adipose (fat) tissue. Insulin first pulls sugars out of the bloodstream and deposits them in the liver as glycogen, then in the muscle as glycogen, and finally converts it into triglycerides for storage in fat tissue. Insulin hormone "builds" fat.

Insulin increases the synthesis of several types of fat/protein and fat/sugar complexes, such as triglycerides, cholesterol, and very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), which aid in the building of muscle tissue and deliver glucose to those muscle cells for energy. LPL (lipoprotein lipase) is an enzyme that actually pulls triglycerides into fat cells for storage; insulin increases both the production and the action of LPL and inhibits those same fat cells from converting back into blood glucose.

Just keep two facts in mind as we continue this discussion: Insulin promotes fat storage, and excess carbohydrates stimulate insulin.

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Weight loss

In general, a laparoscopy is the preferred method of diagnosing endometriosis because it is a simpler and shorter operation and the use of the laparoscope enables better detection of small implants as it magnifies them to several times their actual size.

Classical endometrial implants and cysts can usually be easily recognized and diagnosed by a gynecologist during a laparoscopy. However, atypical implants and microscopic endometriosis can be missed if the gynecologist relies only on a visual impression. An increasing number of gynecologists are using biopsies to diagnose endometriosis in doubtful cases. This involves removing a sample of tissue, known as a biopsy, from any area that the gynecologist thinks may be the site of an endometrial implant for examination and diagnosis under a microscope.

A definite diagnosis is extremely important as it enables an accurate assessment of the severity and extent of the disease to be made and provides a guide as to the likely effect of the condition on your fertility. This is essential information if you are to think about and make informed decisions regarding the management of your endometriosis.

The Commonwealth Department of Community Services and Health, which administers the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, will not subsidize the cost of some of the drugs used in the treatment of endometriosis unless a definite diagnosis has been made.

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