Learning To Reverse Insulin Resistance Could Be Key To Prevent The Onset Of Diabetes

By Lela Perkins


Many will have seen reports concerning the increasing wave of diabetes that potentially could engulf our health service, but few are knowledgeable about the causes of diabetes. Even less have an understanding about the role of insulin in the body and what happens when someone becomes resistant to this very important hormone. Fortunately researchers have developed treatments to reverse insulin resistance.


Insulin hormone production takes place within the beta cells of the pancreas. The primary purpose of it is to facilitate the processing of fats and carbohydrates that contain energy sources like glucose. Unused quantities of glucose remaining in the circulatory system become poisonous. The chemical interaction allows these to be stored in the liver, muscle and fat tissue to be recycled when the glucose level within the body requires them later.

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.

Like most things in life, doing things the right way is not rocket science. Choosing food groups low in starch such as salads, broccoli, lentils, spinach and similar green leaf vegetables provide optimal nutrition and fiber without excessively raising blood sugar levels. Of course regular exercise has to go with this approach.

Proteins derived from fish, eggs, poultry, soy and whey also aid the process because they stimulate the release of hormones that work to counteract excessive insulin levels. Supplements rich in vitamins K, D, E and C, consult a specialist in this field for the correct dosage, all assist the normalization of blood sugars, as will any other naturally sourced anti-oxidant. Oh, and did anyone mention exercise yet, yes lots of it.

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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