Insulin Resistance
A couple of articles have appeared on PureAgeless.com about weight gain/loss which hits us during our late 30s to early 40s and the difficulty of losing this weight as we age. These articles briefly touched upon the importance for both men and women of balancing their hormones, sticking to a regular exercise program and nutritional supplements you can take to assist in losing weight. Also briefly mentioned was the subject of insulin resistance.
People with insulin resistance carry excess weight around their abdomens, while legs and arms remain relatively slim. In addition, they suffer other symptoms which include fatigue, irritability, headaches, shakiness and cravings for sugar and carbohydrates in the late mornings and afternoons. These cravings (blood sugar crashes) are the result of dramatic rises and decreases in blood sugar levels.
Insulin resistance, if not dealt with will not only lead to weight gain but more seriously, Type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, high blood pressure and clogged arteries, all of these which lead to heart disease. The good news is that with proper diet and exercise and medication if necessary, insulin resistance can be treated.
Insulin resistance is a state whereby the cells of the body become resistant to the hormone insulin. Eating correctly decreases the rapid rise and falls of blood sugar which occur when you eat products such as candy, donuts, pop, etc. Remember, sugar, white flour and processed foods should be banned from your household, they are truly: Public Enemy Number One!
Even healthy foods such as fruits and legumes contain sugar, but the sugars in these foods are absorbed slowly and the release of insulin is gradual. When you eat, cakes, cookies, candies, the sugar enters your bloodstream as glucose. This causes a rapid surge in glucose which is toxic to your organs and needs a lot of insulin to be processed. When glucose levels surge, the body stops using fat stores. Eventually, glucose levels build up in the bloodstream and the pancreas have to work overtime to churn out more insulin. This leads to Type 2 diabetes, increased fat, low energy and, more seriously, to conditions that lead to heart disease. Stress is also usually involved in this scenario, leading to high cortisol levels, resulting in abdominal weight gain. It is up to you to take care of your body and learn different methods of coping with stress which do not include eating bad sugars and bad carbs.
