Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Methods Used To Reverse Insulin Resistance

By Mark Cooper


Insulin plays a very important role in the process of glucose metabolism. When this hormone is absent, the glucose levels will be abnormally raised leading to both acute and chronic complications. This is the case of type 1 diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the hormone is present but it cannot be utilized due to the existence of resistance. There are a number of things that can be done to reverse insulin resistance and prevent diabetes type 2.

The starting point should be the diet. A lot can be achieved by making changes to the quality and quantity of food that one consumes. Carbohydrates are a direct precursor of glucose which means that whenever one eats foods in this group the level of blood glucose is likely to spike. The problem is bigger if larger fewer meals are consumed (as opposed to smaller, more frequent meals).

High levels of blood glucose may cause over-stimulation of insulin receptors rendering them unresponsive to any further increases. When this occurs repeatedly, the risk of insulin resistance is increased markedly. For this reason, the general advice is that the amount of carbohydrates in a meal should be kept at a third. Proteins, vegetables and fruits should make up two thirds.

There are a number of other foods that are said to be beneficial to persons that have been identified as being at risk of suffering from this problem. These include foods that are rich in omega-3 fats, soy products, olive oil, beans and nuts among others. Mechanisms involved are widely varied and may include a reduction in oxidative stress, enhanced liver detoxification and a general improvement in carbohydrate metabolism.

Apart from diet, one must make an effort to take part in regular physical activity. Activities that require bursts of energy to be released are particularly helpful. Their benefits are twofold: a reduction in the amount of central abdominal fat that is a contributor to resistance and an increase in muscular contraction. Contracting muscle promotes glucose uptake which reduces the blood sugar levels.

There is a need to avoid stress at all costs. It has been shown through research that persons that chronically stressed have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance and subsequently diabetes type 2 than the general population. The main reason for this is that the production of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol is produced in greater quantities during stressful situations. Yoga, meditation, hypnosis and massage are ways of relaxation one may consider.

Related to quality sleep, is the need for adequate quality sleep. Sleep is important as it resets the system. During sleep, our metabolic requirements remain at the bare minimum meaning that the glucose levels are likely to be lowest at this time. This ensure that that there is less strain to the receptors and the chemicals that are involved in the functioning of these receptors are re-synthesized at this time.

If all these lifestyle changes are undertaken but no meaningful changes are seen then it may be time to try out drugs. The drugs are many and are often used in combination to get the optimal results. Although their mechanisms of action tend to vary, the end results is the lowering of blood glucose levels which helps to prevent hormonal resistance and progression to type 2 diabetes.




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