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.
Cutting down on carbohydrate intake helps reduce the amount of glucose produced from metabolism and lowers the risk of progression to diabetes. Carbohydrates fall in the category of foods that are regarded as being highly glycaemic. Proteins, fruits and vegetables, on the other hand are low glycaemic. These are the foods that should take a larger proportion of the diet.
The importance of physical exercise cannot be overemphasized. During exercise, the metabolic requirements of the body increase and this helps to burn down excess glucose that is contributing to hormonal resistance. At the same time, exercise helps in redistribution of fat tissue effectively curbing excess weight which is another of the biggest risk factors. It is recommended that one takes part in small amounts of high intensity exercise rather than the low intensity cardio.
Stress is one of the contributors of high levels of glucose in circulation. This occurs due to an increase in the levels of a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is typically produced in stressful conditions and one of its roles is to increase the breakdown of macromolecules into molecules such as glucose. When consistently high, cortisol may contribute to hormonal resistance and diabetes. Taking part in relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation are very useful in these cases.
There are a number of supplements said to be helpful. Magnesium supplements are among those that have been widely studied. They are said to facilitate fat digestion and increase insulin sensitivity. Other important supplements include the vitamin B complex, calcium and chromium. The exact mechanisms involved remain largely unclear.
If the natural options fail then you may need to turn to pharmacotherapy. A lot of research has gone into diabetes and its treatments and the results have been very encouraging. Today, there are numerous types of drugs that can be used in the management of the condition. Although the mechanisms of action are different, the common effect for all of them is a reduction in blood sugar levels or increased hormone sensitivity.
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.
Cutting down on carbohydrate intake helps reduce the amount of glucose produced from metabolism and lowers the risk of progression to diabetes. Carbohydrates fall in the category of foods that are regarded as being highly glycaemic. Proteins, fruits and vegetables, on the other hand are low glycaemic. These are the foods that should take a larger proportion of the diet.
The importance of physical exercise cannot be overemphasized. During exercise, the metabolic requirements of the body increase and this helps to burn down excess glucose that is contributing to hormonal resistance. At the same time, exercise helps in redistribution of fat tissue effectively curbing excess weight which is another of the biggest risk factors. It is recommended that one takes part in small amounts of high intensity exercise rather than the low intensity cardio.
Stress is one of the contributors of high levels of glucose in circulation. This occurs due to an increase in the levels of a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is typically produced in stressful conditions and one of its roles is to increase the breakdown of macromolecules into molecules such as glucose. When consistently high, cortisol may contribute to hormonal resistance and diabetes. Taking part in relaxation exercises such as yoga and meditation are very useful in these cases.
There are a number of supplements said to be helpful. Magnesium supplements are among those that have been widely studied. They are said to facilitate fat digestion and increase insulin sensitivity. Other important supplements include the vitamin B complex, calcium and chromium. The exact mechanisms involved remain largely unclear.
If the natural options fail then you may need to turn to pharmacotherapy. A lot of research has gone into diabetes and its treatments and the results have been very encouraging. Today, there are numerous types of drugs that can be used in the management of the condition. Although the mechanisms of action are different, the common effect for all of them is a reduction in blood sugar levels or increased hormone sensitivity.
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