Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Live Images of GLUT4 Protein Trafficking in Mouse Primary Hypothalamic Neurons Using Deconvolution Microscopy
Published on: December 7, 2017
Profactor-H (elevated circulating insulin): the link to health risk factors and diseases of civilization
1Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Insights
Profactor-H, or chronic elevated circulating insulin, is linked to numerous diseases. Lifestyle changes, including reduced carbohydrate intake, chromium supplementation, activity, and stress reduction, can mitigate its health impacts.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic Health
- Endocrinology
- Disease Etiology
Background:
- Chronic elevated circulating insulin, termed Profactor-H, is prevalent in conditions like atherosclerosis, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Profactor-H is identified as a central pathophysiological factor in the development of numerous diseases and health risks.
- Factors influencing Profactor-H include genetics, high refined carbohydrate consumption, chromium deficiency, sedentary lifestyle, and stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and define the term Profactor-H for chronic elevated circulating insulin.
- To highlight Profactor-H's significant role in the etiology of various chronic diseases and health risks.
- To propose a comprehensive management strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of Profactor-H.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework development for Profactor-H.
- Analysis of contributing factors to Profactor-H.
- Proposal of a four-pronged intervention program: dietary carbohydrate reduction, chromium supplementation, physical activity, and stress management.
Main Results:
- Profactor-H disrupts metabolic balance, promoting anabolic metabolism and impaired insulin action, particularly in obese individuals.
- A similar detrimental cycle is observed in non-obese individuals, predisposing them to future health issues.
- The proposed intervention program is hypothesized to minimize Profactor-H's impact and reduce associated health risks.
Conclusions:
- Profactor-H is a critical, unifying pathophysiological factor underlying a spectrum of chronic diseases.
- A multi-faceted lifestyle intervention targeting carbohydrate intake, chromium levels, physical activity, and stress is recommended.
- Implementing this program can lead to reduced health risks and improved overall health outcomes.
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.
More Related Videos
08:32Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
08:13Study of In Vivo Glucose Metabolism in High-fat Diet-fed Mice Using Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and Insulin Tolerance Test (ITT)
Published on: January 7, 2018
Related Concept Videos
Obesity
Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type II Diabetes II: Pathophysiology