1. Start With Your Diet
The first step to reversing insulin resistance is to make some appropriate dietary changes. You should eliminate sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet. These foods raise your blood sugar level and cause your body to produce more insulin than it needs, which contributes to insulin resistance.
Instead, you should focus on consuming a balanced mix of healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbs. It’s also essential to consume breakfast every day, as skipping meals can cause your blood sugar to drop and eventually lead to insulin resistance.
2. Get Moving
Exercise is also an essential component of reversing insulin resistance. Regular exercise helps to prevent insulin resistance by burning off excess glucose and reducing inflammation that causes insulin resistance. Resistance training is particularly important because it helps to build lean muscle mass which increases insulin sensitivity.
You don’t need to engage in intense workouts. Moderate exercise such as brisk walking, cycling, or swimming for about 30 minutes a day can help you achieve your goals. You should aim to have at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week.
3. Reduce Stress
Stress can contribute to insulin resistance, so finding ways to reduce stress is crucial. You might take up meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, or talk therapy. These techniques can help you to manage stress and improve insulin sensitivity.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Getting sufficient sleep every night is crucial for reversing insulin resistance. A lack of sleep increases your cortisol levels, which is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels and contributes to insulin resistance. You should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep every night.
5. Consider Supplements
In addition to making dietary and lifestyle changes, you can consider taking certain supplements to help reverse insulin resistance. Chromium is a mineral that helps regulate glucose metabolism and may improve insulin sensitivity.
Magnesium is another mineral that can improve insulin sensitivity, particularly in people with a deficiency in this mineral. Omega-3 fatty acids may also help reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.
6. Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels
If you have insulin resistance, it’s essential to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. Your doctor may recommend that you measure your blood sugar level first thing in the morning to see how your body responds to food overnight.
You can also use a continuous glucose monitor to track your blood sugar levels throughout the day to get a better idea of how your body responds to food and exercise.
Reversing insulin resistance is not a quick fix. It takes time and effort to make the necessary lifestyle changes to reverse this condition. However, the benefits of reversing insulin resistance are enormous, and they can help you lead a healthier and more fulfilling life.