The 2 types of diabetes are:

Type 1 Diabetes is an insulin dependent diabetes, and it is an autoimmune disease. That means that the body’s immune system attacks normal working cells and tissues.

In T1D the body attacks its insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. When the number of beta cells diminishes to a certain level, the body is unable to produce enough insulin to control blood glucose therefore blood glucose rises, hyperglycemia develops and diabetes is the result.

People with T1D struggle to regulate blood glucose levels. When a person with T1D continues to eat, especially food containing carbs, blood sugar levels rise uncontrollably in the blood and urine. Consequently, the cells of the body are deprived of their primary fuel source – glucose. To compensate for the lack of glucose inside cells, the body resorts to creating energy from amino acids and fat.  Even though glucose is elevated, it cannot get into cells due to a lack of insulin. Consequently, the cells are starved of their primary fuel source and must resort to other measure for fuel.

Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes today and typically indicates 2 key problems:

• Insulin resistance: the muscle, liver and fat cells do not use insulin properly
• Reduced insulin production: glucose builds up in the blood, overflows into the urine and is excreted out of the body, never fulfilling its role as a body’s main source of fuel.

Other diabetic hormones worth knowing about

GLP – 1 (Glucagon-like peptide 1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) are a group of hormones released from the gut. They stimulate insulin secretion while decrease the production of glucagon. GLP-1 also slows down the rate at which the stomach empties, and also signals the brain to make us feel full or satisfied.

Amylin: it is produced alongside insulin and has a similar effect to GLP -1. It reduces glucagon levels and also reduces the liver’s ability to produce glucose and decreases appetite. In T1D with absent or malfunctioning beta cells the hormones insulin, amylin and GLP-1 cannot work properly. It is available as medication.

Cortisol: the stress hormone. A life-sustaining steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands. It plays a key role in helping stabilise blood glucose levels by stimulating the:

• Breakdown of stored glucose in the liver
• Production of glucose from fatty acids
• Breakdown of protein, often from skeletal muscle

It also serves other roles within the body:

• Mental clarity
• Immune responses
• Anti-inflammatory actions
• Blood pressure
• Heart and blood vessel tone and contraction
• Central nervous system activation

Cortisol levels tend to be their highest first thing in the morning.

Ephinephrine (adrenaline) released from the adrenals and nerve endings works as a counter insulin hormone by stimulating the liver to release glucose via the breakdown of glycogen or glycogenelysis. It also promotes the breakdown of fat cells that make their way to the liver for transformation into glucose and ketones.

Growth hormone is released from the pituitary gland in the brain. It also acts as a stress hormone that raises the concentration of glucose and free fatty acids in the blood. It opposes the action of insulin.

Source: Phil Graham: Diabetic Muscle 

What are meal replacement shakes/bars?

These are processed, bottled products, that you drink instead of eating one of your main meals. These replacement shakes are often used to increase or reduce caloric intake, get enough vitamins and minerals in a convenient way, reduce the time you spend with eating for those you eat on the go, or for those who lack the appetite to eat enough.

Unfortunately today’s world is far too busy for most people to prepare their foods at home. Most people tend to eat out during the day as that’s the most convenient solution, and some of us take meal replacement shakes and bars with us to work so that we don’t have to eat the junk that surrounds us.

For some people it’s not about the lack of time, but more about some digestive issues (gastritis or Crohn’s disease) that reduces their appetite therefore they can’t eat enough to fuel their bodies. And some of us think that meal replacement shakes are a great way to quick fat loss.

Although they offer convenience, the majority of these meal replacement shakes/bars have some serious drawbacks. Just because they are advertised as being healthy and contains essential vitamins and minerals, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good choice. Some of these meal replacement bars/shakes have many different ingredients that are processed, and over 20 gr of added sugar per bottle.

So why most of these meal replacement shakes/bars are usually not good for you?

• The vitamins and minerals are synthetic: they are made, not derived from food, making them more difficult to absorb.
• Too much added sugar: these shakes contain lots of added sugars, sweeteners or a combination of both.
• Contain multiple artificial ingredients: including refined vegetable oils, shelf stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives, and colour and flavor enhancers.
• Most are low in protein and fiber: the protein usually comes from conventional dairy or processed protein powders, and these shakes don’t contain any real high-fiber foods therefore they might not make you feel full for long.
• They can make inflammation and digestion even worse: None of the synthetic products are beneficial for gut health and can lead to inflammation.

Likely they won’t help with weight loss: meal replacement programs for weight loss are neither healthy nor likely to work as a long lasting weight loss/maintenance because they leave you deprived, restricted, low on energy and full of cravings for food you enjoy eating.

For bespoke nutrition and training plans please get in touch hello@tamaramakar.me

Caffeine is one of the most effective exercise supplements available. It is also very cheap and relatively safe to use.

Studies have shown that caffeine can benefit endurance performance, high-intensity exercise and power sports. However, it seems to benefit trained athletes the most.

Caffeine is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and blood levels peak after 90-100 minutes. Caffeine levels remain high for 3-4 hours, then they drop.

Caffeine affects the nervous system to improve focus and energy while reducing tiredness.

The recommended dose varies by body weight, but is typically about 200–400 mg, taken 30–60 minutes before a workout.

Caffeine is a common ingredients in weight loss supplements. Early research has shown that taking caffeine before exercise increases the release of stored fat by 30% .

Another study found that caffeine supplements significantly increased the release of stored fat before and at the end of a workout.

Caffeine can also increase the amount of fat you burn during exercise. It increases heat production and epinephrine, which helps burn additional calories and fat.

Caffeine can affect cells throughout the body, including muscle cells and the brain. Its effects include:

The nervous system: Caffeine activates areas of the brain and nervous system to improve focus and energy, while reducing tiredness

Hormones: ephineprine(adrenaline) is the hormone responsible for the “fight or flight” response, which can increase performan

Fat burning: Caffeine can increase the body’s ability to burn fat via lipolysis, or the breakdown of fat in fat cells

Endorphins: can increase feelings of wellness, and give you the exercise “high” that people often experience after working out

Muscles: Caffeine may impact the motor cortex, which is a part of the brain that signals muscle activation

Body temperature: Caffeine has been shown to increase thermogenesis, or heat production, which helps you burn more calories

Glycogen: Caffeine may also spare muscle carb stores, primarily due to increased fat burning. This can enhance endurance performance

Caffeine eventually gets broken down in the liver.

The side effects of caffeine:

• Increased heart rate
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Insomnia or sleep disruption
• Irritability
• Tremors
• Stomach discomfort
• High doses of 600 mg have been shown to increase tremors and restlessness, especially for people who are not used to caffeine.

People who are prone to anxiety may also want to avoid high doses.

Additionally, caffeine is not recommended for people who take certain medications, as well as those with a heart condition or high blood pressure.

Timing may also matter, as late-night or evening caffeine can disrupt sleep. Try to avoid caffeine intake after 4 or 5 pm.

Losing bodyfat seems to be the biggest struggle for men and women nowadays. Everyone would like to get into shape for summer, they go on crash diets in the hope that it will sort them out. 
There are 2 ways to approach it: you can go on a crash diet but be warned that what you lose in a short term you will put back on very quickly. Or you can change your lifestyle and by doing that you could keep and maintain your new shape. Most people opt for the first one: quick diet, lose a few pounds, off we go. The problem is that with some of these crash diets, all you do is mess up your metabolism, creating a great environment for a long term struggle for losing weight and keeping it off.

When you’re not losing the bodyfat, it could be because your macros are not in tune with what you’d like to achieve – meaning you’re eating too much. Even if you eat the right, healthy foods, if you’re eating too much of it, it will be stored as bodyfat. Don’t forget: even with the right foods if you’re putting more into your body than what you burn off (by body functions, lifestyle and exercise), the end result is bodyfat.
Another problem could be that your hormones are not in balance. If one of them is out of balance, all of them are out of balance. Hormones are very important for the body to function and each hormone has its own ‘job’ to do. Some hormones are there to protect and help, others are there to hinder if they’re not working well. Hormones are biochemicals, produced in special glands and, when present in the bloodstream, they give instructions to body cells. They are made of components of your food and diet can play a crucial part in keeping your hormone levels balanced.
My recommendation is that if you know you’re eating the right foods in the right amount and you’re still not losing bodyfat, then you might need to rebalance your hormones with a hormone resetting diet. There are different ones that you can try, either look them up, or if you need any help with that, contact me for a hormone resetting diet plan.
 In July only:

£20 for a hormone resetting diet that contains:

* the foods to eat,

* when to eat,

* what supplements to take to help your hormones rebalance 

 Contact me for details!