Insulin is a peptide hormone responsible for regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats in the body. It facilitates absorption of glucose from blood into tissues and organs such as skeletal muscle, the liver and adipose tissue. The hormone is produced by special cells, the islets of Langerhans, in the pancreas. To reverse insulin resistance, one must have adequate knowledge on the same, including its causes and symptoms.
Resistance to insulin disrupts the utilization of carbohydrate products. The physiological processes involved is rather complex but what is most important to understand is that the hormone loses its ability to stimulate the uptake of glucose by the cells leading to its accumulation within the blood stream. This is what causes diabetes. Resistance commonly occurs when there is a change in the structure of the hormone receptors.
Usually, symptoms and signs of relative insulin deficiency go unnoticed because of their constitutional nature. Such constitutional signs include weight gain, fatigue, depression, frequent urination and so forth. Other indications include raised blood sugar levels and acidosis. It is only through these tests that one can certainly know whether they are diabetics or not.
What are the causes of resistance? When blood sugar concentration goes up, more hormone is produced. Increased production of the hormone impacts negatively on hormone binding, such that receptors become more reluctant. An increased blood sugar level therefore forms the basis for the aetiology. These include excessive consumption of sugary foods, stress, caffeine, alcohol among many other toxins.
Since hormone resistance is cause by high blood sugar, it can be reversed by cutting down of carbohydrate and replacing it with a diet rich in fats and protein. When this is done, the body responds by producing less hormone and using up stored fat. This in turn causes a stabilization of insulin, cholesterol, blood pressure and everything else that had been out of place.
Another important strategy is the use of physical exercise. Taking part in exercise at least 3 days a week helps in burning excess glucose. Brief periods of exercise also stimulate the autonomic nervous system to release adrenaline which facilitates glucagon action by the liver. Glucagon is a hormone that opposes a fall in blood glucose levels.
Physical exercise must be coordinated with the dietary modification. If this is not done, the gains made by the exercise are negated by poor dietary habits. Other habits that should be avoided include the consumption of alcohol and tobacco smoking. Both of these have been found to raise sugar levels. One should focus on relieving stress through having enough sleep and meditating.
One can liaise with a nutritionist to come up with detailed program on diet. This is a major step if you intend to reverse insulin resistance. Recommended supplements include chromium, glutamine and vitamin. Minor ones include manganese, magnesium and vitamins B, C and E. The supplements not only help in diet adjustment but in lowering sugar levels. An ideal diet will be one containing fish, eggs, lean meat, vegetables without starch and clean drinking water.
Resistance to insulin disrupts the utilization of carbohydrate products. The physiological processes involved is rather complex but what is most important to understand is that the hormone loses its ability to stimulate the uptake of glucose by the cells leading to its accumulation within the blood stream. This is what causes diabetes. Resistance commonly occurs when there is a change in the structure of the hormone receptors.
Usually, symptoms and signs of relative insulin deficiency go unnoticed because of their constitutional nature. Such constitutional signs include weight gain, fatigue, depression, frequent urination and so forth. Other indications include raised blood sugar levels and acidosis. It is only through these tests that one can certainly know whether they are diabetics or not.
What are the causes of resistance? When blood sugar concentration goes up, more hormone is produced. Increased production of the hormone impacts negatively on hormone binding, such that receptors become more reluctant. An increased blood sugar level therefore forms the basis for the aetiology. These include excessive consumption of sugary foods, stress, caffeine, alcohol among many other toxins.
Since hormone resistance is cause by high blood sugar, it can be reversed by cutting down of carbohydrate and replacing it with a diet rich in fats and protein. When this is done, the body responds by producing less hormone and using up stored fat. This in turn causes a stabilization of insulin, cholesterol, blood pressure and everything else that had been out of place.
Another important strategy is the use of physical exercise. Taking part in exercise at least 3 days a week helps in burning excess glucose. Brief periods of exercise also stimulate the autonomic nervous system to release adrenaline which facilitates glucagon action by the liver. Glucagon is a hormone that opposes a fall in blood glucose levels.
Physical exercise must be coordinated with the dietary modification. If this is not done, the gains made by the exercise are negated by poor dietary habits. Other habits that should be avoided include the consumption of alcohol and tobacco smoking. Both of these have been found to raise sugar levels. One should focus on relieving stress through having enough sleep and meditating.
One can liaise with a nutritionist to come up with detailed program on diet. This is a major step if you intend to reverse insulin resistance. Recommended supplements include chromium, glutamine and vitamin. Minor ones include manganese, magnesium and vitamins B, C and E. The supplements not only help in diet adjustment but in lowering sugar levels. An ideal diet will be one containing fish, eggs, lean meat, vegetables without starch and clean drinking water.