Treatment FAQ

what is the best treatment for insulin resistance

by Lucious Yost Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

What can you do about it?
  • Getting active is probably the best way to combat insulin resistance. Exercise can dramatically reduce insulin resistance in both the short and long terms. ...
  • Weight loss can also cut down on insulin resistance. ...
  • No medications are specifically approved to treat insulin resistance.

Medication

What Is Insulin Resistance?

  • Go On a Whole Foods Diet. Consume complex carbs wherever possible. ...
  • Skip Sugary Drinks and Simple Carbs. ...
  • Maximize Fiber Consumption. ...
  • Workout. ...
  • Quit Smoking. ...
  • Get Enough Sleep. ...
  • Avoid Stress or Learn How to Get Some Relief From It. ...
  • Try Fasting. ...
  • Add Natural Supplements. ...

Procedures

  • antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries
  • citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes
  • non-starchy vegetables, such as dark leafy greens, peppers, and broccoli
  • protein-rich foods, such as legumes, nuts, soy, fish, and lean meats
  • high-fiber foods, including beans, and lentils
  • omega-3 fatty acid-rich foods, such as sardines, herring, and salmon

More items...

Self-care

What Are the Best Supplements for Insulin Resistance Pure Encapsulations Alpha Lipoic Acid Gluten-free Non-GMO Hypoallergenic Vegan-friendly AstraGin™ improves the bio-availability of all the nutrients so there is better health, If you’re insulin resistant, helps lower blood glucose and is a great antioxidant to protect the lining of the ...

Nutrition

What are the best low insulin index foods to reverse insulin resistance?

  1. Foods that are high in fat. Foods that are high in fat have next to no insulin response. ...
  2. Eggs. Eggs are one of my favorite insulin-friendly foods and one of my favorite foods in general. ...
  3. Cheese. Cheeses such as cheddar, blue cheese, and parmesan also have only a very small insulin response.
  4. Nuts. ...
  5. Meat, fish, and poultry. ...
  6. Vegetables. ...

How do you fix insulin resistance naturally?

How to improve insulin resistance naturally?

What are the best supplements for insulin resistance?

What is the best diet for insulin resistance?

See more

image

What is the best medication for insulin resistance?

Metformin is usually the first choice of most healthcare providers, assuming that the woman is a candidate for taking the medication. It works by increasing the cell's sensitivity to insulin and also suppresses the production of glucose by the liver.

How do I get rid of insulin resistance fast?

Ways to reduce insulin resistanceExercise. Physical activity may be the single easiest way to improve insulin sensitivity. ... Lose belly fat. ... Stop smoking. ... Reduce sugar intake. ... Eat well. ... Omega-3 fatty acids. ... Supplements. ... Sleep.More items...

Can you reverse insulin resistance?

Taking small steps, such as eating healthier foods and moving more to lose weight, can help reverse insulin resistance and prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes. Physical activity can help prevent or reverse insulin resistance and prediabetes.

How is insulin resistance treated?

Medications that reduce insulin resistance (insulin-sensitizing and antihyperglycemic effects) include metformin and the thiazolidinediones. Metformin is a biguanide; it reduces hepatic glucose output and increases the uptake in the peripheral tissues (muscle and adipocytes).

What foods should you avoid if you are insulin resistant?

The following foods should be limited to avoid insulin resistancePrepackaged and processed foods.“White” carbohydrates, like chips, pretzels, cookies, and cakes.Foods that have added sugars, like ice cream, brownies, and chocolates.Foods high in saturated fats, like bacon, sausage, full-fat cheese, and milk.More items...•

Does metformin reverse insulin resistance?

Metformin is widely used to improve insulin resistance in women with PCOS, although it is well known that its mechanism of action is more complex. Insulin resistance with its compensatory hyperinsulinemia has provided the rationale for off-label use of metformin to treat affected women (13).

How can I fix insulin resistance naturally?

Here are 14 natural, science-backed ways to boost your insulin sensitivity.Get more sleep. A good night's sleep is important for your health. ... Exercise more. ... Reduce stress. ... Lose a few pounds. ... Eat more soluble fiber. ... Add more colorful fruit and vegetables to your diet. ... Cut down on carbs. ... Reduce your intake of added sugars.More items...•

How do you reset your pancreas?

The pancreas can be triggered to regenerate itself through a type of fasting diet, say US researchers. Restoring the function of the organ - which helps control blood sugar levels - reversed symptoms of diabetes in animal experiments. The study, published in the journal Cell, says the diet reboots the body.

Can insulin resistance be cured permanently?

Insulin resistance can be reversed—although some doctors prefer to use the word “controlled” or “managed”—and the most effective ways are with lifestyle changes. Eat a plant-based, insulin resistance diet rich in things like whole grains, beans, legumes, and vegetables.

Does apple cider vinegar lower insulin?

It has also been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, which can lower your blood sugar ( 5 , 6 ). Drinking apple cider vinegar before meals or right before bedtime may benefit your blood sugar levels the most.

How to lower insulin levels?

The key is to choose foods that don't raise your insulin even more. Changing your diet to include lots of low glycemic-index fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can be beneficial. 2  Focus on anti-inflammatory foods which have been shown to improve insulin resistance.

How to get insulin levels down?

Adding more activity into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking your car further from the door, or taking short walks at lunch or breaks can make a difference in your health and help you to produce less insulin. Some people find the use of fitness trackers helpful to increase their steps each day and even have competitions with co-workers or friends.

How to get muscle mass for PCOs?

Diet alone isn’t enough to properly manage PCOS. Because they have higher testosterone levels, women with PCOS tend to build muscle more easily than those without the condition. More muscle mass increases metabolic rate so you burn calories more effectively, and it helps you to use glucose better resulting in less insulin needing to be secreted. Try to get at least two days of weight training in each week to build and maintain muscle mass. 4 

How does metformin work?

It works by increasing the cell's sensitivity to insulin and also suppresses the production of glucose by the liver. For many women, taking this medication can help restore regular ovulation and periods 5  .

How does insulin resistance affect PCOs?

Updated on November 29, 2019. Insulin resistance affects as many as 70% of women with PCOS and is believed to be a main contributing factor to metabolic complications like high blood pressure, abdominal weight gain, and type 2 diabetes. 1  The three best ways to improve insulin resistance are with diet, exercise, ...

What is the best supplement for PCOs?

One of the most widely studied dietary supplements in the PCOS population is inositol. And with good reason: A combination of Myo (MYO) and d-Chiro-inositol (DCI) inositol types n a 40:1 ratio has been shown to improve many of the metabolic and reproductive aspects of PCOS. 7 These benefits include improvements to cholesterol, insulin, androgens, and weight.

Does Verywell Health use peer reviewed sources?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

How to improve glucose tolerance?

Add herbal supplements to your diet. Studies have shown several herbal supplements may improve glucose tolerance. Try bitter melon which prevents the intestines from absorbing sugar. Or, take the coptis chinensis supplement which comes from plant roots and is shown to increase the body's responsiveness to insulin.

What happens when you have insulin resistance?

If you've been diagnosed with insulin resistance, your cells aren't listening to the demands of insulin to remove sugars in the blood. This increases the levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. This starts a dangerous cycle where the body continues to produce insulin while blood sugars continue to rise. When this happens, the body begins ...

How to make your body process glucose?

1. Choose complex carbohydrates. 90 to 95% of your daily carbohydrates should be complex. Complex carbs take longer for your body to process because they're more complicated on a molecular level. This gives your body a better chance to process the glucose. [2] X Expert Source Damaris Vega, MD.

What are the best supplements for diabetes?

Take a vitamin supplement. Several B-vitamins work to regulate glucose, prevent nerve damage, and prevent cholesterol. Look for biotin (a B-complex), niacin (another B-complex vitamin), vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. You may want to include a vitamin C supplement because it can reduce insulin resistance.

How to reduce sugar in food?

Reduce your sugar intake. 1 To make it simple, you can avoid "white" foods. Don't eat white bread, white pasta, or white rice, in addition to desserts or sweet treats. 2 Understand that manufacturers are not required to list added sugars on the label.

How to control blood sugar?

Cook with herbs to control your blood sugar. There are a large number of herbs that you can add to your diet to help control blood sugar levels. Use them to flavor your meals since they are safe with no side effects. These herbs may help you get over some of those sugar cravings as well. Try: Cinnamon.

Can you develop insulin resistance overnight?

Remember, you did not develop insulin resistance overnight and you should expect to work hard in order to get it under control.

How to reverse insulin resistance?

You can take steps to reverse insulin resistance and prevent type 2 diabetes: Exercise. Go for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate activity (like brisk walking) 5 or more days a week. If you're not active now, work up to that.

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t use glucose from your blood for energy. To make up for it, your pancreas makes more insulin. Over time, your blood sugar levels go up.

Why do doctors use insulin test?

If you have diabetes, it helps show whether it's under control. You may need to take the test again to confirm the results. When you have insulin resistance, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it.

What is the A1C level for type 2 diabetes?

Oral glucose tolerance test: 200 or higher after the second test. A1c results of 6.5% or above. Insulin Resistance Treatment and Prevention.

What is the best medicine to keep blood sugar in check?

Take medications. Your doctor may prescribe a medication called metformin ( Fortamet, Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet) to help keep your blood sugar in check.

Does insulin resistance cause high blood pressure?

Over time, your blood sugar levels go up. Insulin resistance syndrome includes a group of problems like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. It could affect as many as 1 in 3 Americans. You might also hear it called metabolic syndrome.

Can your pancreas keep up with your blood sugar?

For a while, this will work and your blood sugar levels will stay normal. Over time, though, your pancreas won’t be able to keep up. If you don’t make changes in the way you eat and exercise, your blood sugar levels will rise until you have prediabetes. Your doctor will look for these blood test results:

What causes insulin resistance?

It's also known that older people are more prone to insulin resistance. Lifestyle can play a role, too. Being sedentary, overweight or obese increases the risk for insulin resistance. Why? It's not clear, but some researchers theorize that extra fat tissue may cause inflammation, physiological stress or other changes in the cells that contribute to insulin resistance. There may even be some undiscovered factor produced by fat tissue, perhaps a hormone, that signals the body to become insulin resistant.

Why does the pancreas increase insulin production?

In response to the body's insulin resistance, the pancreas deploys greater amounts of the hormone to keep cells energized and blood glucose levels under control. This is why people with type 2 diabetes tend to have elevated levels of circulating insulin. The ability of the pancreas to increase insulin production means that insulin resistance alone ...

Can insulin resistance be treated with metformin?

No medications are specifically approved to treat insulin resistance. Yet diabetes medications like metformin and thiazolidinediones, or TZDs, are insulin sensitizers that lower blood sugar, at least in part, by reducing insulin resistance.

Does insulin resistance go beyond diabetes?

Eventually, the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin to overcome the cells' resistance. The result is higher blood sugar levels, and ultimately prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Insulin has other roles in the body besides regulating blood sugar levels, and the effects of insulin resistance are thought to go beyond diabetes.

Is insulin resistance more prevalent in older people?

It's also known that older people are more prone to insulin resistance . Lifestyle can play a role, too. Being sedentary, overweight or obese increases the risk for insulin resistance.

Can type 1 diabetes affect insulin resistance?

While insulin resistance is a hallmark of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes it can also affect those with type 1.

Can doctors test for insulin resistance?

Doctors don't usually test for insulin resistance as a part of standard diabetes care. In clinical research, however, scientists may look specifically at measures of insulin resistance, often to study potential treatments for insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. They typically administer a large amount of insulin to a subject while at the same time delivering glucose to the blood to keep levels from dipping too low. The less glucose needed to maintain normal blood sugar levels, the greater the insulin resistance.

What causes insulin resistance?

It isn’t clear exactly what causes insulin resistance, but a family history of type 2 diabetes, being overweight (especially around the waist), and being inactive all can raise the risk.

Why is insulin important for energy?

Insulin helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells so it can be used for energy.

How does the pancreas respond to insulin?

A lot of blood sugar enters the bloodstream. The pancreas pumps out more insulin to get blood sugar into cells. Over time, cells stop responding to all that insulin—they’ve become insulin resistant. The pancreas keeps making more insulin to try to make cells respond.

What is the role of insulin in energy?

Insulin acts like a key to let blood sugar into cells for use as energy.

Why does the pancreas keep making insulin?

The pancreas keeps making more insulin to try to make cells respond. Eventually, the pancreas can’t keep up, and blood sugar keeps rising. Lots of blood sugar in the bloodstream is very damaging to the body and needs to be moved into cells as soon as possible.

Why is type 1 diabetes different from other types of diabetes?

Important note: Type 1 diabetes is different; it’s thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction (the body attacks itself by mistake). People with type 1 diabetes don’t make enough insulin and need to take it to survive.

Why is physical activity important for diabetes?

Physical activity makes you more sensitive to insulin, one reason why it’s a cornerstone of diabetes management (and good health in general!). Don’t wait until you’re diagnosed with diabetes to start moving more. The earlier you take action (literally), the better off you’ll be.

Evaluating Patients

There are several known causes of severe insulin resistance, including several rare disorders and genetic conditions ( Table 1) ( 3 ). Several medications are known to contribute to insulin resistance, including glucocorticoids, protease inhibitors, atypical antipsychotics, and calcineurin inhibitors.

Pharmacological Treatment Options

There are currently no guidelines or consensus statements describing how best to treat patients with severe insulin resistance. Until recently, insulin was the only therapy available to treat those with severe insulin resistance.

Conclusion

Several medications are available to treat patients with type 2 diabetes, but few have been studied in the setting of severe insulin resistance ( Table 2 ). The majority of patients with severe insulin resistance will likely have taken metformin.

Duality of Interest

No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

How to overcome insulin resistance?

Healthy weight management, physical activity, stress reduction, and a diet rich in nutrients can help you overcome the effects of insulin resistance and live a healthy life without obstacles. The best insulin resistance treatment includes natural methods and approaches based on alternative medicine, including diet and supplements.

Which spice is best for insulin resistance?

Ginger: This spice is excellent for those with insulin resistance since its active components make the sugar receptors on muscle cells more available. Garlic: We might not be aware of the benefits of this everyday ingredient, which significantly reduces blood sugar levels.

What are Insulin Resistance Symptoms?

You cannot know for sure that you have insulin resistance without running the necessary blood tests. The symptoms of insulin resistance aren’t as prominent as you might expect, but the following signs may indicate its presence:

How does insulin resistance affect diabetes?

Affecting over 32.2% of the US population, insulin resistance increases the risk of developing diabetes. You may have it for years without knowing it since it often causes no noticeable symptoms.#N#Therefore, it is essential to check your sugar blood levels regularly and consult a certified practitioner about potentially efficient treatments. Untreated insulin resistance can result in diabetes type 2, so it’s vital to implement lifestyle changes as soon as possible. Healthy weight management, physical activity, stress reduction, and a diet rich in nutrients can help you overcome the effects of insulin resistance and live a healthy life without obstacles.#N#The best insulin resistance treatment includes natural methods and approaches based on alternative medicine, including diet and supplements. In this article, you’ll learn more about how to treat insulin resistance and reduce the risk of developing diabetes type 2.

Why does insulin resistance occur in the pancreas?

To make up for it, the pancreas starts producing more insulin, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Insulin resistance is more common in people with obesity, high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, and a sedentary lifestyle accompanied by a diet high in processed sugars and refined carbs.

Why is insulin important?

Insulin is one of the most important hormones in our body since it controls the most vital bodily processes. Any problem or imbalance in this hormone may lead to severe health conditions, including diabetes.

What causes insulin to not respond to cells?

Inflammation: Increased stress levels and existing inflammations in your organism are strongly associated with the cells’ inability to respond to insulin.

Meaning of Insulin Resistance

This condition occurs when the cells in your liver, fat, and muscles stop responding to insulin and cannot use glucose from your blood for energy. As a result, the pancreas produces more insulin, causing high blood sugar levels to make up for this.

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

You cannot be entirely sure that you have insulin resistance without running the necessary blood tests. Insulin resistance symptoms are not as noticeable as you might expect, but the following are signs that may indicate its presence:

Causes of Insulin Resistance

Various factors can be responsible for i nsulin resistance, and one of them can be elevated fat levels in your blood. The primary cause of increased fat levels is usually a diet high in processed foods, trans fats, and calories, which frequently lead to sudden weight gain, overeating, and obesity.

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance in Females

Women suffering from any hormone imbalance (such as polycystic ovary syndrome – PCOS) are at a greater risk of developing insulin resistance since their bodies cannot respond to insulin as quickly as they should.

Diagnosing Insulin Resistance

Your doctor will make employ several methods to find out if you are insulin resistant or not. Blood tests are the most accurate indicator of the condition. The blood tests can show high triglycerides, fasting insulin levels, and low cholesterol levels also called HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.

7 Natural Remedies for Insulin Resistance

You are more susceptible to insulin resistance if you have a family history of type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Improving your insulin sensitivity will help reduce your insulin resistance and risk many other diseases, such as diabetes. Consider the following natural remedies for insulin resistance:

Final Thoughts

It would be best if you considered trying some of the natural remedies for insulin resistance already provided in this post so that you can increase your insulin sensitivity and reduce your risk of diseases associated with the resistance. However, you must talk with a healthcare specialist before adding supplements to your treatment regimen.

image
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9