Insulin is arguably the most vital hormone in the regulation of blood sugar levels. The hormone is needed to lower the levels of blood glucose by stimulating uptake by body cells. Its deficiency is a common cause for diabetes type 2. In some cases, the levels of the hormone may be adequate but the target receptors fail to be responsive. This is known as insulin resistance. A number of things can be done 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.
Generally, the glycemic index of proteins, fruits and vegetables is lower than that of carbohydrates. This means that these foods have a lower tendency to raise the level of blood sugar as compared to carbohydrates. Their proportion of the regular diet should, therefore, be increased even as that of carbohydrates is reduced. Supplements are other additions that should be added as well. Those deemed to be most beneficial include fish oil, magnesium, calcium, multivitamins and chromium.
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 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.
Related to stress control is the need for adequate quality sleep. It is increasingly becoming evident that poor quality of sleep is a predisposing factor to diabetes mellitus. Some of the causes of inadequate sleep include long working hours, obstructive sleep apnea and noisy sleeping environments among others. The target should be to sleep for at least 6 hours every night in a serene environment.
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 is a leading cause for type two diabetes. In spite of the hormonal levels being within the normal range, body cells cannot utilize the hormone. Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent this state or to reverse if it has occurred. Diet modification, physical exercise and oral hypoglycemic drugs are some of the options available.
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.
Generally, the glycemic index of proteins, fruits and vegetables is lower than that of carbohydrates. This means that these foods have a lower tendency to raise the level of blood sugar as compared to carbohydrates. Their proportion of the regular diet should, therefore, be increased even as that of carbohydrates is reduced. Supplements are other additions that should be added as well. Those deemed to be most beneficial include fish oil, magnesium, calcium, multivitamins and chromium.
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 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.
Related to stress control is the need for adequate quality sleep. It is increasingly becoming evident that poor quality of sleep is a predisposing factor to diabetes mellitus. Some of the causes of inadequate sleep include long working hours, obstructive sleep apnea and noisy sleeping environments among others. The target should be to sleep for at least 6 hours every night in a serene environment.
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 is a leading cause for type two diabetes. In spite of the hormonal levels being within the normal range, body cells cannot utilize the hormone. Fortunately, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent this state or to reverse if it has occurred. Diet modification, physical exercise and oral hypoglycemic drugs are some of the options available.
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