Strategies On How To Reverse Insulin Resistance

By Patty Goff


Insulin resistance is perhaps the biggest risk factor of type 2 diabetes identified so far. In general the condition is asymptomatic and most people only realize that they have it when they progress to diabetes. Recognizing the condition in time provides room for timely intervention and halts the likelihood of its progression to diabetes. There are a number of tips on how to reverse insulin resistance.

The condition can be tackled by a multi-pronged approach. Various strategies that may be adopted include physical exercise, dietary modification, use of supplements and stress of reduction. Although the approaches may be used singly with success, it has been shown that using two or more of them tends to be more effective. All these strategies work to help in the reduction in oxidative stress, reduction in inflammatory changes in the body and increased liver detoxification.

The general advice as regards dietary modification is to cut down on foods that are likely to worsen the condition and to replace them with those that will help reverse it. Carbohydrates are a very important group of foods to consider when discussing diabetes. The end product of carbohydrate metabolism is glucose and it is this molecule that is ultimately responsible for diabetes.

Carbohydrates are generally regarded as being highly glycaemic. What this means is that they produce much more glucose that other groups of food. If you are struggling with hormonal resistance, it is a high time that you reduced the number of servings of carbohydrate that you serve yourself. Instead, eat more of proteins, vegetables and fruits all of which are classified as low glycaemic foods.

Physical exercise has a major role to play. As we exercise, the energy requirements of individual cells and the body as a whole increase. Effectively, more glucose is used up and this serves to reduce its levels in circulation. Exercise has also been shown to help in the redistribution of adipose tissue and this helps in weight control. Small amounts of intense physical exercise are better than low intensity endurance routines.

Stress reduction is another step that may be taken. Stress contributes to high levels of sugar in the blood stream by raising the levels of the catabolic enzyme, cortisol. This hormone causes increased breakdown of macromolecules to glucose and this often tends to accumulate and serves as a risk for many diseases. Excessive levels of cortisol cause central obesity and this worsens the condition. Various relaxation techniques, sports and professional counseling are all used in handling stress.

Various supplements have been used over the years and a number of them have been found to be very helpful. Magnesium is one of the supplements that have been in use for a while now. The element is said to help in increasing insulin sensitivity and facilitating fat digestion. Others that have been tried include vitamin B complex, chromium and calcium.

Pharmacotherapy options may be considered in the event that the natural options fail. There are a number of drugs that have been developed to reduce the glucose levels or to increase the sensitivity of insulin. It is common to use different classes of drugs at the same time so as to have maximal effect.




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