Insulins in pharmacology are special hormones that help regulate blood glucose levels. Modern pharmacological industry, these drugs are produced in a huge variety. They differ in the type of feedstock, the methods of production and the duration of the action. Today, short-acting insulin is particularly popular. This drug, primarily designed for rapid relief of food peaks, but can also be used in the combined treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Short-acting insulin preparations
Short-acting insulins are soluble and are able to quickly normalize metabolic processes in the human body associated with the absorption of glucose. Unlike long-acting insulin, short-acting hormonal drugs include an exceptionally pure hormone solution that does not contain any additives. A distinctive feature of these drugs is that they begin to work very quickly and in a short time are able to lower the blood sugar level to normal. Peak activity of the drug is observed about two hours after its introduction, and then there is a rapid decline in its effect. At the end of six hours in the blood there are insignificant traces of the injected hormonal agent. These drugs are classified into the following groups by their activity time:
- Short-acting insulins that start working 30 minutes after injection. They are recommended to be taken no later than half an hour before a meal.
- Ultra-short insulin, which begin to work in a quarter of an hour. These medications should be taken approximately 5 to 10 minutes before meals or immediately after meals.
In the table below for comparison, the values of the speed and duration of action of various types of hormonal agents are presented. The names of the drugs are given selectively, so there are a lot of varieties of them.
| Type of insulin | Form of insulin | Formulation of insulin | Beginning of work after introduction of | Period of maximum activity | Duration of action |
| Ultra short | Humalog, Novorapid, Apidra | 5-15 minutes | From half an hour to 2 hours | 3 to 4 hours | |
| Short | Actrapid NM, HumulinR, Insuman, Rapid | 30 minutes | 4 to 2 hours | 6 to 8 hours | |
| Average duration of action | Protafan NM, Humulin NPH, Insuman, Bazal | 1 to 1.5 hours | 4 to 10 hours | 12 -16hours | |
| Long-term action | Lantus | 1 hour | Not indicated | 24 - 30 hours | |
| Levemir | 2 hours | 16 - 20 hours |
Features of short and ultrasound insulin
Short insulin is a pure hormone drug that is manufactured in two ways:
- based on animal insulin);
- with the help of biosynthesis using genetically engineered technologies.
Both these and other remedies fully correspond to the natural human hormone, therefore it has a good sugar reduction effect. Unlike similar long-acting drugs, they do not contain any additives, so they almost never cause allergic reactions. To maintain normal blood sugar in patients with diabetes, short-acting insulins are often used, which are administered approximately half an hour before meals. It is important to understand that each patient has its own physiological characteristics, so the calculation of the required volume of the drug is always carried out by the doctor individually. In addition, it is very important that the amount of food taken corresponds to the administered dose of insulin. The basic rules for administering the hormone drug before meals are as follows:
- For injection, you need to use only a special insulin syringe that allows you to enter the exact dose prescribed by the doctor.
- The time of administration should be constant, and the injection site should be changed.
- The place where the injection was made can not be massaged, since the natural absorption of the drug into the blood should be smooth.
Ultra-short insulin is a modified analog of human insulin, which explains the high rate of its exposure. This drug was developed with the purpose of emergency help to a person who had a jump in blood sugar for a variety of reasons. This is why it is rarely used in the complex treatment of diabetes mellitus. Injection of ultrashort insulin, also, is recommended to do in the case when a person does not have the opportunity to wait a certain time before eating. But under the condition of proper nutrition, this drug should not be taken because of the fact that the decrease in action from the peak value occurs very sharply, so it is very difficult to calculate the correct dose.
Insulin in bodybuilding activities
Short and ultrashort insulin are very widely used today in bodybuilding. Drugs are considered very effective anabolic agents. The essence of their use in bodybuilding is that insulin is a transport hormone capable of capturing glucose and delivering it to the muscles that respond to this rapid growth. It is very important that athletes start using the hormone drug gradually, thereby accustoming the body to hormones. Since insulin preparations are very strong hormonal drugs, they are forbidden to take young beginners.
The main property of insulin is the transportation of nutrients. But at the same time this function is performed by the hormone in different directions, namely:
- in muscle tissue,
- into fatty deposits.
In this regard, if you are wrong to take a hormonal drug, you can not build up a beautiful muscle, and grow ugly. It should be remembered that when receiving funds, training should be effective. Only in this case the transport hormone will deliver glucose to the developed muscle tissue. For each athlete who is engaged in bodybuilding, the dose is assigned individually. It is established after measuring the amount of glucose in the blood and urine.
In order not to bring down the natural hormonal background of the body and not reduce the production of insulin by the pancreas, it is necessary to take breaks in taking medications. Optimal two-month period of taking the drug alternate with a four-month rest from it.
Medication regimen and overdose
Because short and ultra short-acting insulin are high-quality drugs that are close to human insulin, they rarely cause allergies. But sometimes there is such an unpleasant effect as itching and irritation at the injection site.
It is recommended to inject the hormonal remedy into the abdominal cavity subcutaneously immediately after strength training. It is necessary to start with small doses and at the same time it is necessary to follow the reaction of the organism. About a quarter of an hour after the injection, you should eat something sweet. The ratio of consumed carbohydrates to the unit of the injected drug should be 10: 1.After that, in an hour you need to eat thoroughly, and the diet should contain food rich in protein.
Overdose of a hormonal drug or its improper administration can cause hypoglycemic syndrome, which is associated with a sharp decrease in blood sugar levels. Almost every time after taking an ultra-short and short insulin cause an easy or medium degree of hypoglycemia. It is manifested by the following symptoms:
- with dizziness and darkening in the eyes with a sharp change in body position,
- with acute hunger,
- with headache,
- with pulse acceleration,
- with increased perspiration,
- with internal anxiety and irritability.
After occurrence of at least one of the listed symptoms, one should urgently drink a large amount of a sweet drink, and after a quarter of an hour eat a portion of protein-carbohydrate food. Another side effect of hypoglycemia is the emergence of a desire to sleep. Doing this categorically can not, because you can aggravate the condition. It should be remembered that with an overdose of insulin short and ultrashort action, a coma may occur very quickly. If the athlete loses consciousness, you must always seek medical help.
The main advantage of insulin preparations when using their bodybuilding is that they can not be traced on a doping test. Short and ultra-short insulin are safe means that do not negatively affect the work of internal organs. Of no less importance is the fact that drugs can be purchased without prescriptions and their cost, in comparison with other anabolics, is quite affordable. The most important drawback of insulin preparations, but very significant, is the need for their intake in strict accordance with the prescribed schedule of the doctor.
