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.
Fruits, vegetables and proteins have a relatively lower glycemic index as compared to carbohydrates. What this means is that their ability to raise the levels of blood sugar is a lot lower compared to that of carbohydrates. It is for this reason that the amount of these foods should be increased in the diet as the carbohydrates are reduced. Also include supplements such as chromium, fish oils, calcium and magnesium.
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 is a well-known predisposing factor for fluctuations in blood sugar levels and by extension, hormonal resistance. If stress is not brought under control, it promotes weight gain and is likely to increase the production of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. The hormone promotes breakdown of macromolecules to produce glucose. It is important to set time aside for relaxation activities such as meditation, yoga and biofeedback among others.
Related to stress management is the issue of getting adequate sleep. Like uncontrolled stress, poor quality sleep has the potential to cause derangement in the levels of blood sugars. Some of the causes of poor quality sleep include a noisy environment, obstructive sleep apnea and long working hours that disrupt the sleep wake cycle. The average adult should aim for at least 6 hours of quality sleep.
Drugs are often considered for resistance reversal if the other methods fail to yield the desired results. The drugs used here are of varied types. Biguanides (metformin, for example) are among those that are used commonly. Their main mechanism of action is the stimulation of the insulin receptors. Another group is the thiazolidinediones. These work by increasing cellular response to glucose.
Insulin resistance has been identified as one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes. The condition occurs when body cells fail to respond to insulin even when the hormone is in adequate concentration. Fortunately, there are a number of interventions that can be undertaken to deal with this problem. They include the modification of diet, engagement in physical exercise and stress reduction among others.
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.
Fruits, vegetables and proteins have a relatively lower glycemic index as compared to carbohydrates. What this means is that their ability to raise the levels of blood sugar is a lot lower compared to that of carbohydrates. It is for this reason that the amount of these foods should be increased in the diet as the carbohydrates are reduced. Also include supplements such as chromium, fish oils, calcium and magnesium.
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 is a well-known predisposing factor for fluctuations in blood sugar levels and by extension, hormonal resistance. If stress is not brought under control, it promotes weight gain and is likely to increase the production of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. The hormone promotes breakdown of macromolecules to produce glucose. It is important to set time aside for relaxation activities such as meditation, yoga and biofeedback among others.
Related to stress management is the issue of getting adequate sleep. Like uncontrolled stress, poor quality sleep has the potential to cause derangement in the levels of blood sugars. Some of the causes of poor quality sleep include a noisy environment, obstructive sleep apnea and long working hours that disrupt the sleep wake cycle. The average adult should aim for at least 6 hours of quality sleep.
Drugs are often considered for resistance reversal if the other methods fail to yield the desired results. The drugs used here are of varied types. Biguanides (metformin, for example) are among those that are used commonly. Their main mechanism of action is the stimulation of the insulin receptors. Another group is the thiazolidinediones. These work by increasing cellular response to glucose.
Insulin resistance has been identified as one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes. The condition occurs when body cells fail to respond to insulin even when the hormone is in adequate concentration. Fortunately, there are a number of interventions that can be undertaken to deal with this problem. They include the modification of diet, engagement in physical exercise and stress reduction among others.
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