Understanding How To Reverse Insulin Resistance Possibly Fundamental To The Prevention Of Diabetes

By Lela Perkins


There can be few who have not heard about the threat that diabetes poses to the well being of the nation and the clinical care teams that serve the public. Comparatively few people understand the nature of this disease, its causes, treatment and particularly the importance of producing and regulating the hormone insulin. An increasing number are finding their bodies reject this vital hormone. Thankfully there are ways to reverse insulin resistance.

The hormone is created within the pancreas. Its critical activity is in aiding the breakdown of starch and fatty foodstuffs which contain energy providing glucose. Activity and normal organ functioning uses up much of the sugar, but if residual glucose is left in the blood stream a level of toxicity may develop. Hence the important process that makes it possible to store it in the liver, muscular and fatty tissues.

Failure of the body to effectively control these levels can result in diabetes. Type 1 diabetics depend on external sources of insulin, normally injected but sometimes in tablet form, because the body has ceased to produce the hormone. Type 2 diabetics differ in that they display resistance to the hormone and often receive other treatments to control blood glucose levels. Sometimes they have to resort back to insulin treatment if these fail. In a nutshell, this hormone makes possible and controls the release of energy within the body at a cellular level and so directly impacts on all bodily functions.

Patients who display resistance find their bodies do not use the substance properly. The pancreas tries to compensate for this by producing more, but due to the malfunction excess glucose accumulates in the bloodstream. The symptoms of this form of diabetes are often difficult to pin down, resulting in frequent misdiagnosis. They can include abdominal weight gain, extreme cholesterol levels and high blood pressure all of which lean towards problems in the cardiac area.

The over consumption of carbohydrate rich foods, which aggravates the sugar conversion issue, combined with a lack of activity, has resulted in widespread obesity which in itself is one of the main risk factors for diabetes. The sad reality is that many of these so called risk factors can be avoided as can many of the resulting diabetic conditions. Making informed choices about food intake, exercising regularly, taking the right vitamin and minerals will all help to either slowdown or stop the condition from arising altogether.

The funny thing is that making the correct decisions is not that difficult. Good quality low carbohydrate fiber rich foods such as leafy green vegetables and salads abound in our supermarkets. Not only are they very nutritious but they contain very little sugar producing properties to start with. The sticky issue for many is exercise but done right this can be fun.

Another important part of a healthy diet is quality protein. This assists in producing hormones that influence against producing too much insulin. Sources from fish, soy, poultry and whey are best. Vitamins K, D, E, K as well as naturally occurring antioxidants all help in sorting out sugar levels. And of course, there is the exercise thing again.

By now it will be clear that many concerns and obstacles around how to reverse insulin resistance are rooted in lifestyle and dietary choices. The choice is no longer how but when.




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