Insulin is among the most important hormones as regards the control of blood glucose. Deficiency of this hormone or inability of the body to utilize it is a predisposing factor for elevated blood sugar levels. Such levels may lead to short term and long term complications. Insulin resistance occurs when the receptors for the hormone cannot utilize it. It is a common underlying problem in type 2 diabetes mellitus. There are number of things that one can do 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.
Compared to highly refined carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables have a comparatively lower glycemic index. This means that their ability to increase the blood sugar levels is a lot less than that associated with carbohydrates. The amount of these foods in the diet should be increased. Supplements such as calcium, multivitamins, chromium, fish oil and magnesium should also be increased. Many of them greatly aid in digestion and prevent abnormal increases in the glucose levels.
Another lifestyle modification that can be made is regular engagement in physical exercise. Exercise has a number of roles that it plays in the process of metabolism. Among them is the fact that it helps in the reduction of central body fat which would otherwise increase the risk of diabetes. Another major benefit is that there is an increase in the demand for glucose when muscles contract during exercise. This reduces the amount of glucose in circulation.
Stress has been shown to affect the levels of blood glucose. Prolonged stress may sustain the glucose at very high levels in persons at risk of diabetes. This is likely to cause resistance to the hormone and predispose to diabetes. The increase in blood glucose is mainly caused by an increase in levels of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. Make sure you take time to relax regularly. Activities such as yoga, meditation and feedback are tremendously helpful.
Make sure that you get adequate quality sleep. Just like stress, lack of sleep has the potential to increase the levels of cortisol and elevate the levels of blood sugar. Examples of causes of poor quality sleep include obstructive sleep apnea, noisy environments and obstructive sleep apnea among others. The minimum recommended time for sleeping is 6 hours for the average adult.
Drugs can be considered if the lifestyle changes fail to yield the desired results. There are many alternatives that exist. Biguanides (of which metformin is a well-known example) are among the commonly used types. Their mechanism of action involves an improvement in the functioning of the insulin receptors. Another major group is that of the thiazolidinediones. The drugs in this group increase the 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.
Compared to highly refined carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables have a comparatively lower glycemic index. This means that their ability to increase the blood sugar levels is a lot less than that associated with carbohydrates. The amount of these foods in the diet should be increased. Supplements such as calcium, multivitamins, chromium, fish oil and magnesium should also be increased. Many of them greatly aid in digestion and prevent abnormal increases in the glucose levels.
Another lifestyle modification that can be made is regular engagement in physical exercise. Exercise has a number of roles that it plays in the process of metabolism. Among them is the fact that it helps in the reduction of central body fat which would otherwise increase the risk of diabetes. Another major benefit is that there is an increase in the demand for glucose when muscles contract during exercise. This reduces the amount of glucose in circulation.
Stress has been shown to affect the levels of blood glucose. Prolonged stress may sustain the glucose at very high levels in persons at risk of diabetes. This is likely to cause resistance to the hormone and predispose to diabetes. The increase in blood glucose is mainly caused by an increase in levels of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. Make sure you take time to relax regularly. Activities such as yoga, meditation and feedback are tremendously helpful.
Make sure that you get adequate quality sleep. Just like stress, lack of sleep has the potential to increase the levels of cortisol and elevate the levels of blood sugar. Examples of causes of poor quality sleep include obstructive sleep apnea, noisy environments and obstructive sleep apnea among others. The minimum recommended time for sleeping is 6 hours for the average adult.
Drugs can be considered if the lifestyle changes fail to yield the desired results. There are many alternatives that exist. Biguanides (of which metformin is a well-known example) are among the commonly used types. Their mechanism of action involves an improvement in the functioning of the insulin receptors. Another major group is that of the thiazolidinediones. The drugs in this group increase the 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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