One easy way to increase insulin sensitivity? Get thee to a blood bank!
https://pubmed.ncbi....h.gov/15976100/
Iron stores, blood donation, and insulin sensitivity and secretion
Conclusions: Blood donation is simultaneously associated with increased insulin sensitivity and decreased iron stores. Stored iron seems to impact negatively on insulin action even in healthy people, and not just in classic pathologic conditions associated with iron overload (hemochromatosis and hemosiderosis). According to these observations, it is imperative that a definition of excessive iron stores in healthy people be formulated.
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How to know if your iron is high? Ferritin is a dirt cheap blood lab. Your doctor should not mind adding this to your routine lab order, or you can get it yourself:
https://www.lifeexte...itin-blood-test
The normal range for ferritin is set quite wide by most labs, with the upper limit typically set at 300 for males; but what is the OPTIMAL level?
https://irondisorders.org/iron-tests1/
Serum ferritin measurements range from about 15–200 ng/ml for women and 20–300 ng/ml for men. Although laboratory ranges vary, most are close to these values. Approximately 95% of the population will fall within “normal” population range simply because ranges are calculated using standard statistical methodology. Except for the lower ends of these ranges, which can predict iron deficiency, the ranges per se do not define optimal or even healthy iron levels. Optimal SF ranges for men and women are 25 – 75 ng/ml. Individuals with risk factors for diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, liver diseases, and cancer face amplified risks proportional to the amount of stored body iron over and above the optimal range.
Numerous medical research studies have demonstrated that serum ferritin above 100 ng/ml has been associated with decreased cardio vascular fitness and increased incidences of: atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, gout, and accelerated aging including osteoporosis and sarcopenia (muscle wasting) due to oxidative stress. Fortunately this does not pertain to everyone; ferritin levels and stored iron can remain safely contained, even when ferritin exceeds 150 ng/ml, if the body’s natural antioxidant defenses are working properly.
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So, around 50 is nifty for ferritin, & anything into triple digits may promote insulin resistance. Get thee to a blood bank! Donate only "whole blood". The iron is in the red cells. Research "Ferrotoxic Disease" for more on the interesting topic of longevity through iron homeostasis.
Edited by Dorian Grey, 28 June 2021 - 05:56 AM.