05-24-2016, 12:35 PM
Hmm, this is a very specific question, and I want to preface my response here very clearly that I'm not a professional, and in fact there are medical experts who specialize specifically in diabetes. That's noteworthy because even a general medical practitioner (which I am not) may not have the specialist knowledge needed to tell you everything you might be curious about.
That said, and so long as we're all in agreement that anything I say should be discarded immediately in favour of information given by a licensed doctor, here's the rough stuff I do know.
Lantus is a brand name for insulin glargine, which is a synthetic hormone that essentially matches the insulin generation of a non-diabetic, and in theory it doesn't have the traditional peaking effect.
On paper, provided you are taking the correct dosage, it shouldn't affect your metabolism in the same way that fast-acting insulin would. I'm sure you know, but for anyone reading this out of curiosity, the issue with weight gain is a little confusing, the issue is that if you're in an insulin peak, or if you take too much, your body will burn excessive amounts of glucose, rapidly lowering your blood-sugar levels rather than burning fat. In effect you can be eating perfectly healthy and your body will be acting like you're on an all-sugar diet.
(This is actually what insulin is for, the problem here is with the peaks, or taking excessive amounts)
The opposite issue comes about with low levels of insulin, your body can't metabolize the glucose in your blood, resulting in dehydration (and the side effects of it) along with burning excessive amounts of fat and muscle. In this case you could also be eating a healthy diet, but your body will react as if you're starving.
Whichever way you slice it, having the right amount of insulin is important.
(Please do not ask me how much you should be taking, and do not take less because you want to lose weight, take the amount your doctor prescribes. You really, really don't mess around with this stuff)
Now, the real question you seem to be concerned about is weight, and burning fat in particular, in this case you're basically in the same position as anyone else, your body burns glycogen for energy first, which are reserves of glucose (or sugar, in simple terms) specifically for that purpose, the reason people avoid carbs is because they are complex sugar molecules that not only take a long time to break down, but are the first source of energy used.
Basically, carbs are a really efficient source of energy, which is why they prevent you burning fat instead, if you stay low on carbs your body will burn excess fat instead.
From the studies I've seen (and I'll admit that's not a huge number, and a lot of them focus more on Type-2 diabetes), taking insulin doesn't directly affect your metabolism outside of the peak period, so that's really the key issue that, thankfully, you seem to be mostly able to avoid.
So long as your insulin levels are right, your body will burn fat the same as anyone else, the idea is that your blood-sugar levels are regulated by insulin, which is to say that when you're exercising your body will only drop your blood-sugars to a certain point before burning fat, and doesn't [/i]exclusively[/i] burn sugars until it has no other option. Because that would be dumb, and your body is a smart thing that's pretty good at staying alive.
The question about organs is a little confusing, and I'm not totally clear on the question, so if I'm coming at this wrong do let me know. The idea of "energy" is a bit nebulous, but basically your whole body works on the same energy reserves, your organs use the same energy as your muscles, and it comes from the same place.
And that place is your organs, using excess energy by working out simply causes your organs to process more fat reserves to provide that energy to your muscles, provided everything is in working order your organs will tick along nicely as long as they have reserves to burn.
(although it is worth noting that in extreme situations they will burn essential proteins, damaging muscles and organs, but that's only in extreme cases where no other option is available)
I hope I've been some help, again I'm not an expert on this stuff, and I did have to fact-check a few things. Please do keep my information at arms length, and consult a doctor before accepting anything I've said here as totally true, this really is getting into the realms of specialized medical knowledge.
That said, and so long as we're all in agreement that anything I say should be discarded immediately in favour of information given by a licensed doctor, here's the rough stuff I do know.
Lantus is a brand name for insulin glargine, which is a synthetic hormone that essentially matches the insulin generation of a non-diabetic, and in theory it doesn't have the traditional peaking effect.
On paper, provided you are taking the correct dosage, it shouldn't affect your metabolism in the same way that fast-acting insulin would. I'm sure you know, but for anyone reading this out of curiosity, the issue with weight gain is a little confusing, the issue is that if you're in an insulin peak, or if you take too much, your body will burn excessive amounts of glucose, rapidly lowering your blood-sugar levels rather than burning fat. In effect you can be eating perfectly healthy and your body will be acting like you're on an all-sugar diet.
(This is actually what insulin is for, the problem here is with the peaks, or taking excessive amounts)
The opposite issue comes about with low levels of insulin, your body can't metabolize the glucose in your blood, resulting in dehydration (and the side effects of it) along with burning excessive amounts of fat and muscle. In this case you could also be eating a healthy diet, but your body will react as if you're starving.
Whichever way you slice it, having the right amount of insulin is important.
(Please do not ask me how much you should be taking, and do not take less because you want to lose weight, take the amount your doctor prescribes. You really, really don't mess around with this stuff)
Now, the real question you seem to be concerned about is weight, and burning fat in particular, in this case you're basically in the same position as anyone else, your body burns glycogen for energy first, which are reserves of glucose (or sugar, in simple terms) specifically for that purpose, the reason people avoid carbs is because they are complex sugar molecules that not only take a long time to break down, but are the first source of energy used.
Basically, carbs are a really efficient source of energy, which is why they prevent you burning fat instead, if you stay low on carbs your body will burn excess fat instead.
From the studies I've seen (and I'll admit that's not a huge number, and a lot of them focus more on Type-2 diabetes), taking insulin doesn't directly affect your metabolism outside of the peak period, so that's really the key issue that, thankfully, you seem to be mostly able to avoid.
So long as your insulin levels are right, your body will burn fat the same as anyone else, the idea is that your blood-sugar levels are regulated by insulin, which is to say that when you're exercising your body will only drop your blood-sugars to a certain point before burning fat, and doesn't [/i]exclusively[/i] burn sugars until it has no other option. Because that would be dumb, and your body is a smart thing that's pretty good at staying alive.
The question about organs is a little confusing, and I'm not totally clear on the question, so if I'm coming at this wrong do let me know. The idea of "energy" is a bit nebulous, but basically your whole body works on the same energy reserves, your organs use the same energy as your muscles, and it comes from the same place.
And that place is your organs, using excess energy by working out simply causes your organs to process more fat reserves to provide that energy to your muscles, provided everything is in working order your organs will tick along nicely as long as they have reserves to burn.
(although it is worth noting that in extreme situations they will burn essential proteins, damaging muscles and organs, but that's only in extreme cases where no other option is available)
I hope I've been some help, again I'm not an expert on this stuff, and I did have to fact-check a few things. Please do keep my information at arms length, and consult a doctor before accepting anything I've said here as totally true, this really is getting into the realms of specialized medical knowledge.