The Claim

In obese males, 72 hours of fasting induces insulin resistance through increased endogenous glucose production, and pharmacological blockade of growth hormone with pegvisomant reverses this insulin resistance by suppressing hepatic glucose output by approximately 30%, demonstrating that endogenous growth hormone is a key mediator of fasting-induced insulin resistance in obesity.

Source: Substrate Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity During Fasting in Obese Human Subjects: Impact of GH Blockade

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
73score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

How it works
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In obese men, a 72-hour fast causes insulin resistance by increasing the liver's production of glucose, and blocking the hormone growth hormone with pegvisomant reduces this insulin resistance by lowering liver glucose output by about 30%, showing that growth hormone is necessary for this effect.

See the scientific wording

In obese males, 72 hours of fasting induces insulin resistance primarily through increased endogenous glucose production, and pharmacological blockade of growth hormone with pegvisomant reverses this insulin resistance by suppressing hepatic glucose output by approximately 30%, indicating that endogenous growth hormone is a key mediator of fasting-induced insulin resistance in obesity.

Why this might work

During fasting, the body releases more growth hormone, which tells the liver to make more sugar and prevents insulin from properly shutting down fat breakdown. This excess sugar in the blood and leftover fat molecules block insulin from doing its job, making the body resistant to insulin. When growth hormone is blocked, the liver makes less sugar, fat breakdown responds better to insulin, and insulin sensitivity returns.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Substrate Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity During Fasting in Obese Human Subjects: Impact of GH Blockade

    When obese men fast for three days, their liver makes too much sugar, making their body less responsive to insulin. When they take a drug that blocks the growth hormone, their liver makes less sugar and their body responds to insulin better again.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.