Insulin is one of the most important hormones in the process of metabolism. When insufficient in amount or when the body cannot utilize it, the control of blood sugar levels is compromised. This has the potential to cause both acute and chronic complications. Insulin resistance is a phenomenon that occurs when insulin is adequate but cannot stimulate its receptors. It is a common cause of type 2 diabetes. There are a number of ways on how to reverse insulin resistance.
Among the steps to be undertaken is diet modification. Strive to reduce on your intake of carbohydrates as much as possible. This is because, carbohydrates are a direct source of glucose after they undergo the process of metabolism. For this reason, increased intake of the same can cause persistently high levels of blood sugar. It is generally recommended that the carbohydrates take about a third of your meal.
Compared to highly refined carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables have a comparatively lower glycemic index. This means that their ability to increase the blood sugar levels is a lot less than that associated with carbohydrates. The amount of these foods in the diet should be increased. Supplements such as calcium, multivitamins, chromium, fish oil and magnesium should also be increased. Many of them greatly aid in digestion and prevent abnormal increases in the glucose levels.
Regular physical exercise is another important intervention that can be undertaken. There are two main benefits related to regular exercise. Among them is the fact that physical activity reduces the amount of central abdominal fat, a known predisposing factor to many metabolic conditions including diabetes. Another benefit is that during physical exercise, muscles contract and increase their uptake of glucose from the blood stream.
Stress has been shown to affect the levels of blood glucose. Prolonged stress may sustain the glucose at very high levels in persons at risk of diabetes. This is likely to cause resistance to the hormone and predispose to diabetes. The increase in blood glucose is mainly caused by an increase in levels of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. Make sure you take time to relax regularly. Activities such as yoga, meditation and feedback are tremendously helpful.
Related to stress control is the need for adequate quality sleep. It is increasingly becoming evident that poor quality of sleep is a predisposing factor to diabetes mellitus. Some of the causes of inadequate sleep include long working hours, obstructive sleep apnea and noisy sleeping environments among others. The target should be to sleep for at least 6 hours every night in a serene environment.
Drugs can be considered if the lifestyle changes fail to yield the desired results. There are many alternatives that exist. Biguanides (of which metformin is a well-known example) are among the commonly used types. Their mechanism of action involves an improvement in the functioning of the insulin receptors. Another major group is that of the thiazolidinediones. The drugs in this group increase the cellular response to glucose.
Insulin resistance is a leading cause for type two diabetes. In spite of the hormonal levels being within the normal range, body cells cannot utilize the hormone. Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent this state or to reverse if it has occurred. Diet modification, physical exercise and oral hypoglycemic drugs are some of the options available.
Among the steps to be undertaken is diet modification. Strive to reduce on your intake of carbohydrates as much as possible. This is because, carbohydrates are a direct source of glucose after they undergo the process of metabolism. For this reason, increased intake of the same can cause persistently high levels of blood sugar. It is generally recommended that the carbohydrates take about a third of your meal.
Compared to highly refined carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables have a comparatively lower glycemic index. This means that their ability to increase the blood sugar levels is a lot less than that associated with carbohydrates. The amount of these foods in the diet should be increased. Supplements such as calcium, multivitamins, chromium, fish oil and magnesium should also be increased. Many of them greatly aid in digestion and prevent abnormal increases in the glucose levels.
Regular physical exercise is another important intervention that can be undertaken. There are two main benefits related to regular exercise. Among them is the fact that physical activity reduces the amount of central abdominal fat, a known predisposing factor to many metabolic conditions including diabetes. Another benefit is that during physical exercise, muscles contract and increase their uptake of glucose from the blood stream.
Stress has been shown to affect the levels of blood glucose. Prolonged stress may sustain the glucose at very high levels in persons at risk of diabetes. This is likely to cause resistance to the hormone and predispose to diabetes. The increase in blood glucose is mainly caused by an increase in levels of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. Make sure you take time to relax regularly. Activities such as yoga, meditation and feedback are tremendously helpful.
Related to stress control is the need for adequate quality sleep. It is increasingly becoming evident that poor quality of sleep is a predisposing factor to diabetes mellitus. Some of the causes of inadequate sleep include long working hours, obstructive sleep apnea and noisy sleeping environments among others. The target should be to sleep for at least 6 hours every night in a serene environment.
Drugs can be considered if the lifestyle changes fail to yield the desired results. There are many alternatives that exist. Biguanides (of which metformin is a well-known example) are among the commonly used types. Their mechanism of action involves an improvement in the functioning of the insulin receptors. Another major group is that of the thiazolidinediones. The drugs in this group increase the cellular response to glucose.
Insulin resistance is a leading cause for type two diabetes. In spite of the hormonal levels being within the normal range, body cells cannot utilize the hormone. Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent this state or to reverse if it has occurred. Diet modification, physical exercise and oral hypoglycemic drugs are some of the options available.
About the Author:
Take the essential 5 steps towards reverse insulin resistance by getting tips and ideas online. Come and read the informative posts now at http://www.mouthplague.com.