title: Profactor-H (elevated circulating insulin): the link to health risk factors and diseases of civilization.
abstract: We propose the term Profactor-H for chronic elevated circulating insulin. Profactor-H is common in atherosclerosis, essential hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, some forms of obesity, some forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease, peripheral vascular disease and some forms of stroke. Profactor-H appears to be the central pathophysiologic consideration in the etiology of many diseases and health risk factors. Profactor-H's impact depends on genetic predisposition, frequency consumption of refined simple and complex carbohydrates, deficiency in dietary chromium, sedentary life style and stresses of modern day living. In many obese individuals, Profactor-H disturbs metabolic balance, favoring anabolic metabolism, and is exacerbated through chronic insulin production and impairment of insulin action. This vicious cycle also appears to be common in many apparently healthy, non-obese individuals destined to develop health risks and diseases in response to long-term adverse consequences of Profactor-H. We believe that a four-pronged program which 1) reduces the daily frequency of carbohydrate consumption, particularly refined foods and simple sugars, 2) supplements the daily dietary intake of chromium, 3) encourages activity, and 4) reduces stress, will minimize the impact of Profactor-H and thereby reduce health risks and result in improved health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Heller
mesh_terms: D005075:Biological Evolution; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D004032:Diet; D004198:Disease Susceptibility / Q000503:physiopathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000503:physiopathology; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008019:Life Style; D008954:Models, Biological; D009765:Obesity / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin