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.
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 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.
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 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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