Treating Insulin Resistance Naturally
Suggested Supplements for this Pre-Diabetic Condition
Jun 18, 2009
The good news about a diagnosis of insulin resistance or pre-diabetes is that you are currently at the phase where the condition of your body is 100% reversible, and where the dire consequences of developing Type 2 Diabetes or Heart Disease are preventable.
The tough side of this news is that it takes a lot of work and dedication on your part to make this turnaround happen, and to stay healthy in the long run.
Weight Loss is Essential for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes and Heart Disease
According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, most people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years, unless they lose 5 to 7 percent of their body weight by making changes in their diet and level of physical activity. People with pre-diabetes also are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Most endocrinologists recommend incorporating the common anti-diabetic prescription drug Metformin along with the diet and exercise regimen required to reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes in patients. One patient in 10 loses weight while taking the medication, so it may be right for you. However, some people experience extreme gastrointestinal upset as a side effect of taking Metformin, and others simply prefer to refrain from adding a medication to their health regimen.
Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes is completely treatable naturally and holistically using diet, exercise and supplementation. As with any similar program, be sure to ask your doctor about details specific to your health and situation.
Preventing Further Damage Through Diet
As a general guideline, the way that an insulin resistant or pre-diabetic person must eat is centered around preventing huge spikes in blood sugar at any point during the day. These changes in diet will prevent further damage from occurring by preventing surges in blood sugar, triggering a chain reaction calling for more insulin and wearing out the pancreas.
Small dietary adjustments will also stop the rapid weight gain that is a symptom of insulin resistance. It will keep the food you consume from turning directly to fat, and help you to use it instead to properly fuel your body.
It is important to eat 5-6 small meals and snacks throughout the day, rather than 2-3 larger meals. This spreads the amount of energy you bring into your body through out the day a little more evenly. It is also a good idea to eliminate or reduce your caffeine intake.
Healing Insulin Receptor Sites with Exercise
By increasing exercise, you can literally heal the insulin receptor sites in your cells. This reverses the damage that has been done to your metabolism, and helps you stay healthy for years to come. Exercise as little as 30 minutes a day for these positive health benefits.
With additional effort, the increased activity will also assist you in the reduction of body fat and weight loss recommended to prevent the onset of more serious conditions.
Basic supplementation can also support these efforts and assist your body in removing wastes and keeping your energy up throughout the program.
Recommended Supplements for Pre-Diabetic patients
There are particular supplements that you may be interested in including in your quest to heal and reverse the physical effects of insulin resistance. A good multi-vitamin will cover most of your bases as far as vitamins and minerals are concerned; however, here are a few suggestions for the more off-the-beaten-path supplements recommended by holistic practitioners to insulin resistant patients.
First and foremost, you should ensure that you are spending at least 20 minutes each day in the sunshine, or drinking vitamin D fortified milk. Vitamin D deficiency can leave you feeling sluggish and with low energy, making it hard to stick with an exercise regimen.
Chromium picolinate is a commonly suggested supplement for insulin resistance. Though the mineral is often touted as a weight-loss aid, it does not appear to have a direct impact on weight. What studies have shown chromium to actually help with is curbing carbohydrate cravings! It can also serve as a mild natural anti-depressant, assisting with reducing emotional eating.
You may also consider adding the mineral molybdenum to your supplementation plan. Molybdenum assists the body with processing and flushing toxins, as well as the processes of building bone and cartilage. This is something that we usually eat enough of in our regular diets. The best dietary sources of molybdenum are legumes such as beans and peanuts, so you should consider adding this supplement to your repertoire particularly if you suffer allergies to those foods.
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