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.
One of the first steps that one has to undertake is to modify the diet. The amount of carbohydrates should be reduced as much as possible because they are a direct source of glucose once they have been metabolized. They may result in persistent high levels of blood sugar and increase the risk of hormonal resistance. The general advice is that carbohydrates should be about one third of the 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 are usually introduced when the other methods fail to yield the expected results. There are many different types of drugs that are available to be used as oral hypoglycemic agents. Metformin and other biguanides work by stimulating the inactive insulin receptors. Another useful drug group is that of thiazolidinediones. The drugs in this category lower blood sugar by increasing cellular uptake.
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.
One of the first steps that one has to undertake is to modify the diet. The amount of carbohydrates should be reduced as much as possible because they are a direct source of glucose once they have been metabolized. They may result in persistent high levels of blood sugar and increase the risk of hormonal resistance. The general advice is that carbohydrates should be about one third of the 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 are usually introduced when the other methods fail to yield the expected results. There are many different types of drugs that are available to be used as oral hypoglycemic agents. Metformin and other biguanides work by stimulating the inactive insulin receptors. Another useful drug group is that of thiazolidinediones. The drugs in this category lower blood sugar by increasing cellular uptake.
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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