Insulin hormone is perhaps the most important component of the carbohydrate metabolism pathway. There are consequences associated with both its excess and its deficiency. The commoner and more worrying of the two is the deficiency as it causes diabetes, a serious metabolic disorder. Diabetes may also come about when body cells are unable to utilize insulin in spite of normal ranges. This is referred to as resistance. Diabetic patients need to be educated early enough on how to reverse insulin resistance so that they are well prepared for this possibility.
Apart from raised blood sugar the syndrome is also characterized by abnormal lipid levels and excessive fat deposition around the abdomen. There several factors believed to predispose to the metabolic syndrome. They include, among others, psychological stress, obesity, physical inactivity and increased carbohydrate intake. What these factors have in common is that they all contribute to elevated glucose levels. When the levels are persistently high, insulin receptors are overwhelmed and most start to dysfunction and shut down.
Management involves diet modification, use of supplements, physical exercise and management of psychological stress among other strategies. As regards dietary modification, meals should be constituted in a manner that maintains a low sugar level, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and enhances liver detoxification. Generally, the foods consumed should be low in carbohydrate load but high in fruit and vegetable amounts.
A number of foods have been established to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They include those rich in olive oil, omega-3 fats, beans, seeds, soy products and nuts. By working at the level of the gene these foods help improve metabolism, prevent inflammation and step up the detoxification process. They ensure that the rise of glucose happens gradually. Consequently that of insulin is also gradual. In the end, chances of getting resistance are lowered significantly.
There are several supplements that have been established to be beneficial. An important micronutrient known to alleviate the symptoms is magnesium. This nutrient is important in the process of fat digestion (also known as lipolysis). Sensitivity of blood sugar levels to the hormone appears to improve through mechanisms not clearly understood. Others nutrients include vitamin D, vitamin B complex, chromium, vitamins C and E and calcium among others.
Stress is a major cause of diabetes mellitus type 2. Its control, therefore, will greatly help reverse the condition. Stress is associated with increased levels of the hormone cortisol. This hormone contributes to the abnormal fat distribution, increased chances of inflammation and elevated glucose levels. There are a number of relaxation techniques that may be used to reduce stress. They include yoga, massage, exercise, meditation, hypnosis and guided imagery among others.
Exercise plays an important role in improving insulin sensitivity. It helps redistribute fat and encourages sugar breakdown. As a result it not only prevents diabetes, but also helps reverse and prevent complications. A routine of 30 minutes of walking daily after dinner goes a long way into ensuring that the sugar level is maintained. More intense exercise is needed to cause reverse resistance. Such would entail, for example, uninterrupted aerobic exercise for one hour five to six times in a week.
Anti-diabetic drugs may be used in the event that all the other methods are unsuccessful. These drugs have different mechanisms of action but the net effect is either increased hormonal sensitivity or reduced levels of glucose. Drug groups that may be used include biguanides, alpha glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolidinediones. Patient that would wish to have individualized advice on how to reverse insulin resistance should consult with a qualified diabetic specialist.
Apart from raised blood sugar the syndrome is also characterized by abnormal lipid levels and excessive fat deposition around the abdomen. There several factors believed to predispose to the metabolic syndrome. They include, among others, psychological stress, obesity, physical inactivity and increased carbohydrate intake. What these factors have in common is that they all contribute to elevated glucose levels. When the levels are persistently high, insulin receptors are overwhelmed and most start to dysfunction and shut down.
Management involves diet modification, use of supplements, physical exercise and management of psychological stress among other strategies. As regards dietary modification, meals should be constituted in a manner that maintains a low sugar level, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation and enhances liver detoxification. Generally, the foods consumed should be low in carbohydrate load but high in fruit and vegetable amounts.
A number of foods have been established to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They include those rich in olive oil, omega-3 fats, beans, seeds, soy products and nuts. By working at the level of the gene these foods help improve metabolism, prevent inflammation and step up the detoxification process. They ensure that the rise of glucose happens gradually. Consequently that of insulin is also gradual. In the end, chances of getting resistance are lowered significantly.
There are several supplements that have been established to be beneficial. An important micronutrient known to alleviate the symptoms is magnesium. This nutrient is important in the process of fat digestion (also known as lipolysis). Sensitivity of blood sugar levels to the hormone appears to improve through mechanisms not clearly understood. Others nutrients include vitamin D, vitamin B complex, chromium, vitamins C and E and calcium among others.
Stress is a major cause of diabetes mellitus type 2. Its control, therefore, will greatly help reverse the condition. Stress is associated with increased levels of the hormone cortisol. This hormone contributes to the abnormal fat distribution, increased chances of inflammation and elevated glucose levels. There are a number of relaxation techniques that may be used to reduce stress. They include yoga, massage, exercise, meditation, hypnosis and guided imagery among others.
Exercise plays an important role in improving insulin sensitivity. It helps redistribute fat and encourages sugar breakdown. As a result it not only prevents diabetes, but also helps reverse and prevent complications. A routine of 30 minutes of walking daily after dinner goes a long way into ensuring that the sugar level is maintained. More intense exercise is needed to cause reverse resistance. Such would entail, for example, uninterrupted aerobic exercise for one hour five to six times in a week.
Anti-diabetic drugs may be used in the event that all the other methods are unsuccessful. These drugs have different mechanisms of action but the net effect is either increased hormonal sensitivity or reduced levels of glucose. Drug groups that may be used include biguanides, alpha glucosidase inhibitors and thiazolidinediones. Patient that would wish to have individualized advice on how to reverse insulin resistance should consult with a qualified diabetic specialist.
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