Besides the entertainment, we are always on the lookout to provide you with valuable health information that exists on the internet. There is never enough information that can help control diabetes being a silent killer because of the related health conditions associated with it, the worst being kidney failure. As per the CDC (center for disease and prevention) more than 100 million people live with diabetes or pre-diabetes.
Now in case you didn’t know, lack of insulin leads to the dysfunctional metabolism of sugar into cells of the body leading to type 2 diabetes. However, insulin resistance also leads to the condition of diabetes where the cells in your body stop responding to insulin which helps cells absorb sugar or glucose for energy or storage as fat. It is this condition that besides causing type 2 diabetes also leads to prediabetes and gestational diabetes.
Image Source: images.agoramedia.com
Doctors concern themselves more with tests to diagnose your sugar levels in fasting and post fasting state but by that time, your sugar levels have already spiked. What about the condition in your body involving dysfunctional insulin resistance that starts much before leading up to the problem of high blood sugar? This can be checked too?? Did you know that? But first, read how insulin resistance happens.
Image Source: thenypost.files.wordpress.com
According to Doctor Mark Hyman who writes in his own blog Insulin resistance isn’t a condition that occurs in a day. It builds up gradually. This happens because of worldwide diets of people depending more on a carb rich diet that includes potatoes, pastas, white rice, white bread, sugars, and liquid calories from sugary drinks. This places more pressure on your insulin to work overtime where your body’s demand for insulin increases to keep sugar in check. Ultimately, your cells start becoming resistant to insulin effect on them leading to insulin resistance.
Image Source: i.dietdoctor.com
Insulin resistance has a negative impact on your body increasing aging and faster deterioration. Insulin resistance is one of the worst and probably the biggest culprit that causes aging prematurely and invites the risk of associated diseases like heart problems. Stroke, dementia, cancer and ultimately diabetes and kidney failure. One also experiences food cravings, inflammation, high blood pressure, blood clot problems and the like.
Image Source: www.weightlossresources.co.uk
As your insulin levels increase, the insulin resistance also increases. Soon your triglycerides increase, obesity sets in and post-meal fatigue. Your good cholesterol (HDL) goes down too increasing bad cholesterol. However what may now seem surprising to you is that if you are made aware of these conditions in time, you can reverse all these problems with changes in lifestyle and diet.
Image Source: images.agoramedia.com
Whoever told you that kidney failure and diabetes are detected when it’s too late should be made to read this. There is a precursor and start point to everything. What is unfortunate is that doctors do not prescribe the one test that reveals increases levels of insulin. They are more concerned when your blood sugar goes too high.
Image Source: encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com
What may sound even more startling is the fact that even if you don’t experience these warning signs, an insulin resistance test can help you detect increased levels of insulin much before prediabetes or diabetes sets in. By gaining information about your insulin levels, you can do a lot to get your body back on track again, yet very rarely will a doctor ask you to take a blood test to find out high levels of insulin.
Image Source: encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com
This is an important question. Most doctors feel it isn’t a cause for concern as long as your fasting blood sugar levels are below 100mg/dl. Once it increases beyond this point. They start monitoring it and if by chance your blood sugar fasting level reaches 125 or 226mg/dl, you may be diagnosed with diabetes and start medication.
Image Source: webtribune.rs
Blood sugar increases last in the body. It is the problem with insulin, the lack of it, or insulin resistance that results in increased levels of sugar. Thus, what happens here is that a fasting blood sugar test that detects diabetes is too late because the person has already acquired diabetes. It is insulin that increases first and which can happen years before diabetes even develops so now you know why the title, the one test that can save your life. It has its meaning literally.
Image Source: www.homeremediesandcooltips.com
The test for insulin levels is a two hour glucose tolerance test that measures levels of sugar in the blood as well as insulin. But the problem is that doctors don’t even prescribe it. It is insulin resistance that causes many chronic diseases and despite that many who have it aren’t even diagnosed all because of one test that could change their lives for the better.
Image Source: www.conqueryourpcosnaturally.com
Doctor Mark Hyman MD recommends that everyone aged 50 and above should take an insulin test. Moreover if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, abnormal triglycerides, obesity, then all the more reason to take the test. Speak to your doctor about the two hour glucose challenge test that should be taken in fasting where insulin is checked once and again at one and two hour intervals .
In case you are diagnosed with high insulin, you will need to make some lifestyle and dietary changes to restore the body’s balance. The following eight ways are kind of cardinal rules ot follow to regulate insulin.
Image Source: cdn1.medicalnewstoday.com
Follow a food chart to eat more of low glycemic foods. Include in your diet fresh veggies, fruits, non gluten grain, nuts, seeds, legumes, and lean high quality animal protein.
Image Source: st2.depositphotos.com
Artificial sweeteners can actually increase insulin levels and create insulin resistance. It’s like extra medication for controlling sugar rather than avoiding sugar itself. A study in journal diabetes care found that sucralose or Splenda, actually increased levels of glucose and insulin. Avoid all artificial stuff like aspartame, stevia, sucralose, xylitol, maltitol and other sweeteners that decrease your metabolism and increase insulin resistance. You need to help your tastebuds appreciate natural flavors of like vanilla and almonds.
Image Source: i.dietdoctor.com
Dietary sugar like refined sugar and vegetable refined oils are the biggest culprits of inflammation. Include foods like wild caught fish, fresh grounded flaxseed and fish oil from fish like salmon.
Image Source: cdn.diabetesdaily.com
Eat more fiber rich foods derived from fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and legumes. Fiber decreases sugar absorption from the gut into the blood. It works just like diabetes medication but with no side effects.
Image Source: healinglifestyles.com
Lack of sleep also creates insulin resistance where sleep should be your highest priority to regulate insulin. Do not eat three hours before sleeping. Go to bed and wake up consistently on time that is great for your body clock and regulated bodily function. If you can’t sleep, it is advisable to try natural remedies like melatonin or herbal therapy.
Image Source: chopra.com
Nutrients from diet are important for regulating insulin. These include nutrients like vitamin D, alpha lipoic acid, magnesium, chromium etc. Deficiencies can throw blood sugar out of balance causing insulin resistance.
Image Source: www.healthline.com
By far the most important thing to prevent insulin resistance because obviously when you burn calories, your insulin is being given a break and assistance form you in burning sugar in the body. If time is a factor, then HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training is best for working people as it involves only 10 minutes of intense exercise that burns calories hours after a workout. Studies have found HIIT and burst training to decrease fasting levels of insulin and insulin resistance. Combined with weight and resistance training is a great way to regulate sugar levels too.
Image Source: hips.hearstapps.com
When you suffer from chronic stress you increase the stress hormone cortisol in the body. This increases blood sugar and abdominal fat. While stress cannot be eliminated altogether, you can reduce its negative impact on your body through meditation, exercise, relaxation techniques, yoga or whatever is comfortable for you.
It’s high time you took control of your life and help prevent yourself from getting diabetes if at all you are at risk of acquiring it.
Image Source: i2.wp.com