Ways On How To Reverse Insulin Resistance

By Carolyn Bailey


Diabetes is a common metabolic condition resulting from the deficiency of a hormone known as insulin. There are two types of the condition; types 1 and 2. The former is due to an absolute deficiency of the hormone while the latter comes about when the body cannot utilize the hormone. This is what is commonly referred to as insulin resistance. There are several things that can be done to reverse insulin resistance.

Lack of insulin hormone or failure to utilize it leads to a persistence of high glucose levels. If no intervention is undertaken, a number of complications can occur both in the short term and long term. However, if the interventions are instituted, the condition can be reversed and normalcy restored. Many of the complications that are recommended mainly involve the making of lifestyle changes (dietary and physical activity.

The building blocks of carbohydrates are sugars of various complexities. During the process of digestion the macromolecules of carbohydrates are broken down to the simpler constituents and eventually into glucose. This means that carbohydrates directly increase the levels of blood glucose. Research shows that taking too many calories will keep the blood sugar levels abnormally high and predispose to hormonal resistance. The general recommendation is that one should cut down on carbohydrates and increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Other than macronutrients, micronutrients also play an important role. Some of the most significant include multivitamins, fish oils, magnesium, chromium and calcium. Each of them has a unique role it plays in the body. Magnesium, for instance, is vital in the digestion of fats and deposition of the same in adipose tissues. The exact mechanism that is involved here is not well understood.

Regular physical exercise is as important as a proper diet. The exercise has various benefits that eventually help with reversing insulin resistance. Among them is that the process helps in lowering blood glucose directly due to increased utilization by contractile tissues. Related to this is the increased breakdown of fat in adipose tissues which further reduces the risk of developing hormonal resistance.

Mental health should not be ignored even as one focuses on achieving good physical health. Psychological stress has been associated with fluctuations in the levels of blood glucose. Stress also causes weight gain due to increased cortisol levels. There is a need to have scheduled relaxation activities such as hypnosis, yoga, meditation and massage to prevent excessive stress.

The effect of constant inadequate sleep is similar to that of tress. Cortisol is also produced in large amounts in this instance and the hormone causes an increased levels of metabolism and subsequent increases in the levels of blood sugar levels. At the same time, the hormone promotes the deposition of fat in the abdominal region leading to central obesity. Central obesity is among the main risk factors of hormonal resistance.

If lifestyle changes do not yield the desired changes, a number of other interventions can be undertaken. One of them is the use of glucose lowering agents. There are many types of these drugs working through differing mechanisms. Examples include metformin, glibenclamide and glipizide among others. It is common practice for the various drugs to be used in combination.




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