How can a sweetener (stevia) that supposedly stimulates insulin secretion be good for insulin resistant people

Question

I'm confused. I'm insulin resistant, but have been told to try Stevia. I looked it up, and supposedly it does not raise blood glucose levels, but rather lowers them because it stimulates insulin secretion. But I thought that one of the problems I was having (I have PCOS) is that the level of insulin in my blood is too high, therefore causing some wonky hormone reactions. Is there some sciency person out there who can tell me why Stevia is supposedly good for diabetics and other insulin challenged folks? Is it only good for diabetics but not insulin resistant people?

Answer 1

Hi Cassiopeia. I gave the medical student's answer a thumbs down because he is a little confused on this issue (understandable - this can be complicated stuff).

First you do not have type I diabetes. However, with PCOS you are likely dealing with insulin resistance, as you are aware.

I do not have a lot of knowledge about Stevia, so I had to do some research on Pubmed/Medline where all of the world's medical research is published. From my quick review of several studies on stevia (these were animal studies, human studies do not appear to be available yet on this product) I can tell you that ingredients in Stevia lower blood glucose levels (a good thing) by stimulating insulin production and, most importantly, improving the body's response to insulin (AKA increasing insulin sensitivity).

Overall, if these animal research findings are found to be consistent with human physiology (not allows the case), Stevia may be very helpful for your condition.

The high insulin levels in PCOS and Insulin Resistance (Metabolic Syndrome) are generally thought to be a result of a decreased sensitivity by the cells to insulin. When the cells don't respond to insulin, the body naturally produces more and more of it to try and induce a response. The ability of Stevia to improve this response to insulin by the cells may be a very powerful clinical tool.

I hope this wasn't too complicated to be helpful for you. Best wishes and good luck.

P.S. The best way to approach this issue clinically may be to try a trial period of Stevia and then measure your fasting blood glucose and insulin levels. If these improve, then continue with the Stevia.

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

When a person is diabetic there pancreas doesn't produce the right levels of insulin therefore they need to take shots or pills to help.the stevia stimulates the insulin secretion.
The insulin helps control blood sugar levels.
the goal is to keep blood sugar levels going in a straight line not spiking and falling all day that is why you need to eat several tiny meals as apposed to three big ones. Hope this helped you understand.

Answer 4

Stevia woulda be hepful to people who suffer from low insulin and high glucose (sugar), which is primarily Type II diabetes. You seem to have Type I diabetes which, as you said, results in increased insulin and insulin resistance leading to other hormonal imbalances. Stevia would not be a good product for you.

Answer 5

Wonky hormone reactions? haha, thats funny=)