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.
Among the steps to be undertaken is diet modification. Strive to reduce on your intake of carbohydrates as much as possible. This is because, carbohydrates are a direct source of glucose after they undergo the process of metabolism. For this reason, increased intake of the same can cause persistently high levels of blood sugar. It is generally recommended that the carbohydrates take about a third of your meal.
Fruits, vegetables and proteins have a relatively lower glycemic index as compared to carbohydrates. What this means is that their ability to raise the levels of blood sugar is a lot lower compared to that of carbohydrates. It is for this reason that the amount of these foods should be increased in the diet as the carbohydrates are reduced. Also include supplements such as chromium, fish oils, calcium and magnesium.
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 is a well-known predisposing factor for fluctuations in blood sugar levels and by extension, hormonal resistance. If stress is not brought under control, it promotes weight gain and is likely to increase the production of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. The hormone promotes breakdown of macromolecules to produce glucose. It is important to set time aside for relaxation activities such as meditation, yoga and biofeedback among others.
Related to stress management is the issue of getting adequate sleep. Like uncontrolled stress, poor quality sleep has the potential to cause derangement in the levels of blood sugars. Some of the causes of poor quality sleep include a noisy environment, obstructive sleep apnea and long working hours that disrupt the sleep wake cycle. The average adult should aim for at least 6 hours of quality sleep.
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.
Among the leading causes of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. This phenomenon is seen when the cells fail to respond to insulin in spite of the latter being present in the body in adequate amounts. There are several things that can be done so as to reverse this condition. They include regular physical exercise, stress reduction and diet modification among others.
Among the steps to be undertaken is diet modification. Strive to reduce on your intake of carbohydrates as much as possible. This is because, carbohydrates are a direct source of glucose after they undergo the process of metabolism. For this reason, increased intake of the same can cause persistently high levels of blood sugar. It is generally recommended that the carbohydrates take about a third of your meal.
Fruits, vegetables and proteins have a relatively lower glycemic index as compared to carbohydrates. What this means is that their ability to raise the levels of blood sugar is a lot lower compared to that of carbohydrates. It is for this reason that the amount of these foods should be increased in the diet as the carbohydrates are reduced. Also include supplements such as chromium, fish oils, calcium and magnesium.
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 is a well-known predisposing factor for fluctuations in blood sugar levels and by extension, hormonal resistance. If stress is not brought under control, it promotes weight gain and is likely to increase the production of a catabolic hormone known as cortisol. The hormone promotes breakdown of macromolecules to produce glucose. It is important to set time aside for relaxation activities such as meditation, yoga and biofeedback among others.
Related to stress management is the issue of getting adequate sleep. Like uncontrolled stress, poor quality sleep has the potential to cause derangement in the levels of blood sugars. Some of the causes of poor quality sleep include a noisy environment, obstructive sleep apnea and long working hours that disrupt the sleep wake cycle. The average adult should aim for at least 6 hours of quality sleep.
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.
Among the leading causes of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. This phenomenon is seen when the cells fail to respond to insulin in spite of the latter being present in the body in adequate amounts. There are several things that can be done so as to reverse this condition. They include regular physical exercise, stress reduction and diet modification among others.
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