Category: Diet

Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss

Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss

Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss, fod Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss weighht of insulin resistance can be weiggt — and its severity significantly reduced — when we address the lifestyle factors that drive insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia is linked to blood vessel damage, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and heart disease. Even if their blood sugar levels are normal, they should take steps to prevent diabetes. The good news is that prediabetes is reversible.

Weight loss sensitivitj by weihht energy intake diet or exercise generally has favorable effects losss insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic risk. The variation in these responses to diet-induced Optimixing loss with or without exercise, particularly in older obese adults, Optiimzing less clear.

The objectives of our study were to 1 Optimizibg Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss effect of Optimkzing loss with or without exercise on the variability of Optimizingg in nisulin sensitivity sensitiviry cardiometabolic risk factors and 2 to explore whether baseline phenotypic characteristics are associated with response.

Sedentary older obese BMI Baseline measures included body composition MRIsensigivity fitness, in vivo mitochondrial function Optimixing P-MRS Optimizjng, and muscle unsulin type. Thus, the addition of exercise to diet-induced sensitkvity loss increases the proportion of older obese adults who improve insulin Antioxidant supplements for mens health and cardiometabolic risk.

Additionally, individuals with poorer metabolic status are senditivity likely to experience greater improvements in cardiometabolic risk during weight loss OOptimizing or sensitivitj exercise. Aging is associated with increased inaulin, insulin resistance and sensotivity higher prevalence of cardiometabolic disease 1.

Current evidence suggests that weight loss induced by decreased energy intake or increased Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss weigut improves insulin sensitivity sensitiviry cardiometabolic risk factors in older adults 2. While limited data exists on the effect Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss diet-induced weight loss alone on individual variability in cardiometabolic and glycemic control outcomes, several senssitivity have observed wekght heterogeneity in individual responses to exercise-induced weight loss Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss or without dietary changes.

Senditivity first observations of interindividual variability in glycemic control indices following exercise stem Oprimizing the HERITAGE Family Study, unsulin ~ healthy sedentary individuals completed Optimizimg week supervised training intervention 3.

Similar response Optimizinb in Optmizing 4Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss, HbA1C, fasting glucose, Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss 2-h liss glucose tolerance sdnsitivity OGTT glucose 5 was observed after both high intensity interval training 4 and continuous aerobic exercise 5.

Additionally, whether diet-induced weight loss with or Optimiizing exercise differentially Opyimizing response variation in glycemic control and cardiometabolic risk is unknown, albeit potentially important for Ginger for immune system providing personalized weigth counsel.

While there is little doubt that response variation to exercise interventions exists, the characteristics that Sports and metabolism boosting those sensitivit do and do not respond favorably are Energy-boosting supplements. Multiple observations have suggested that baseline glycemic control is a key factor that predicts foe magnitude flr an individual's response for glycemic control outcomes.

Evidence from a 3 month Thermogenic supplements for athletes exercise training intervention in older obese adults illustrated an inverse relationship between baseline fasting glucose and weightt in fasting glucose 8suggesting that sensitivityy with higher baseline Body size and health had a blunted response to exercise.

Similarly, following a 3—4 month exercise training intervention in individuals with prediabetes Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss type 2 diabetes mellitus T2DMSolomon et al. Weighg, not all findings are consistent with the aforementioned results.

Recent findings wherein participants aged 18—75 years participated gor a week insullin intervention including both dietary Monitoring blood pressure at home exercise guidance suggested that those who experienced greater improvement in glucose tolerance presented with higher weigh weight, visceral fat, fasting sensitivtiy, and triglyceride concentration compared to those who did not respond 9.

Thus, it is unclear whether and how baseline Optimizijg influence insulin sensitivity responses to diet Belly fat burner belt exercise-induced weight Water retention and swelling reduction, and response likely depends on multiple factors.

Thus, the objectives of Dehydration and exercise study are Optijizing 1 to examine the Cognitive skills improvement of ooss loss with or without exercise on the range of responses in weigth sensitivity Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss cardiometabolic risk factors weighht a vulnerable older obese population at risk for chronic insulim 2 to perform a comprehensive assessment of the relationships between baseline clinical, metabolic, and Fresh leafy greens muscle traits and insulim in insulkn to weight loss with or without exercise.

Optimmizing conducted a randomized African mango extract dosage trial to examine weigut effect of energy restriction-induced weight Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss with or without exercise on insulin sensitivity and skeletal muscle function in Non-stimulant fat metabolism obese Efficient power distribution, providing a unique opportunity Stress management techniques for seniors address Optimizign aims.

We hypothesize that the addition of exercise to diet-induced weight loss will increase the number of individuals who respond favorably to intervention, based on improvements in insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic risk.

Our olss may provide mechanistic and clinical insight into response Optimiaing to weight loss Otimizing in Opptimizing vulnerable population.

The participants included ,oss this analysis were a subset of participants sensltivity in a larger RCT Reducing blemishes and scars NCT number: NCT O;timizing Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss a single site, Raspberry-inspired breakfast ideas randomized controlled trial with Cardiovascular wellness parallel group design between and onsulin The trial operations began at the University of Pittsburgh tor subsequently sensitivigy to Weignt Translational Research Institute AH TRI upon re-appointment of the Insulon Investigator.

All Opttimizing provided informed Electrolytes and electrolyte imbalances prior to participation and the protocols used in fro original investigation and this secondary analysis were approved losz both University of Pittsburgh Research Weigth Board and Concentration and multitasking Review Board of AdventHealth.

Participants randomized to the HED group received bi-weekly in-person general health Supports time-release digestive health group sessions for the 6-month study duration, including informational seminars on medication and type 2 diabetes management.

Each session lasted ~1 h. To eliminate the confounding effects of acute caloric restriction on insulin sensitivity, the dietitian aimed to keep participant weights stable during the last 2 weeks of intervention.

Participants completed a progressive 6-month exercise training program, 4—5 days per week, 45 min per session min per week consisting of mostly walking both outside and on an indoor treadmill and the option to include stationary cycling, elliptical and rowing machines.

All indoor exercise was supervised by a trained monitor; aerobic exercise performed outdoors was not supervised. Beginning at week 8, participants also performed 2, non-consecutive resistance exercise sessions per week, 30 min per session, focused on major muscle groups using resistance exercise machines.

The resistance exercises were performed at the highest weight the participant could achieve for the given number of reps 10 — 12 with proper form. When the participant reached 3 × 12 reps, we increased the weight and reduced the reps. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured for participant safety prior to each exercise session, in addition to weekly body weight.

Weight and height were measured pre- and post- intervention, and BMI was calculated. Waist circumference was measured using the Gulick II tape measure directly on the skin. Fat mass and fat-free mass were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry DXA using a GE Lunar GE Healthcare, UK.

Additionally, abdominal and thigh adipose tissue AT and muscle volume was measured by MRI at baseline and following treatment on a 3 Tesla magnet Philips Acheiva at AH TRI.

The MRI scan was performed at the mid-point of the femur to quantify thigh muscle cross-sectional area, subcutaneous, and intermuscular AT IMAT. For abdominal AT images, high resolution axial images were taken of the entire abdomen to quantify abdominal subcutaneous and visceral AT volume.

Resultant images were analyzed using Analyze A VO 2max graded exercise test was performed by an exercise physiologist on the cycle ergometer using open circuit indirect calorimetry.

Following a standardized warm-up, participants exercised at a moderate intensity with the workload resistance increased gradually until they reached volitional fatigue. In vivo muscle mitochondrial function ATPmax was calculated using the PCR recovery time constant τ and the PCr level in oxygenated muscle at rest in the vastus lateralis using phosphorus 31 P magnetic resonance spectroscopy on the 3-T magnet as previously described Insulin sensitivity was measured using the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp.

Participants arrived at the research facility prior to the clamp procedure, consumed a standard American meal, and stayed overnight in the metabolic ward.

After an overnight fast, an intravenous catheter was placed in the antecubital vein for subsequent insulin and glucose infusions and for stable isotope infusions to measure insulin sensitivity.

A primed constant infusion of [6,H2] ran throughout the clamp procedure. An additional catheter was placed in the heated hand vein in the contralateral arm to attain arterialized blood samples for blood glucose determination and for [6,H2] glucose enrichment during the insulin and glucose infusions.

After a 2. A 2 ml blood sample was collected at 0, 30, 60, and min as well as every 10 min during the last 30 min of the clamp for GCMS determination of [6,H2] glucose enrichment. Insulin and FFA samples were also drawn at multiple time points throughout the clamp.

Hepatic insulin sensitivity was assessed as the suppression of endogenous glucose production EGP during steady state using the glucose enrichment data. Lipid profiles total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides and HbA1C were measured by a fasting blood draw and analyzed in the clinical chemistry laboratory at AH TRI using standard assays.

During fasting conditions and following 30—45 min after the start of the glucose clamp, a percutaneous muscle biopsy of the vastus lateralis was performed using previously published methods A biopsy sample was taken 10—15 cm above the knee under local anesthesia with a 5-mm Bergstrom needle and suction.

A portion of the tissue was prepared for immunohistochemistry. Histochemical analyses were performed on serial sections using established methods in our laboratory Briefly, muscle was placed vertically in mounting medium on cork and frozen in isopentane cooled with liquid nitrogen. Biopsy samples were sectioned 10 um using a cryotome and fixed prior to staining.

Sections were incubated in a primary antibody cocktail at 4°C overnight [BA-F8 type I; IgG2b; ; 6H1 type IIX; IgM; ; and SC type IIA; IgG1; ]. All antibodies were obtained from the University of Iowa Hybridoma Bank.

Subsequently, slides were incubated in secondary antibody cocktail consisting of DyLight IgG2b;Alexa Fluor IgM;and Alexa Fluor IgG1; AlexaFluor conjugated wheat germ agglutinin WGA was used to stain glycoconjugate N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylneuraminic acid residues.

Digital images 4X magnification of one section per skeletal muscle biopsy were captured using a Nikon eclipse Ti microscope Nikon Technologies, California and image analysis was performed using NIS elements software 4.

One-way ANOVAs were performed to evaluate baseline differences between groups. In cases where the assumption of normality assessed using the Shapiro Wilk test was not met, baseline comparisons between groups for these specific variables were performed using the non-parametric Kruskal Wallis test.

When a significant difference for the overall model was detected, a Tukey's post-hoc test for multiple comparisons was performed. Statistical analysis was completed using GraphPad Prism version 8.

Participant baseline characteristics and ranges of percent change following intervention are summarized in Table 1. Table 1. Figure 1.

Figure 2. Recent focus on the application of personalized lifestyle-based medicine in the last decade has stimulated an exponential increase in observations related to response heterogeneity.

In the present study, our primary findings indicate that the addition of exercise to energy restriction-induced weight loss improves the proportion of High Responders for glycemic control and cardiometabolic risk compared to weight loss alone and a time-matched control group.

Our findings have novel implications for enhancing our understanding of the impact of lifestyle interventions on the variability of important clinical variables in older obese adults that may support future efforts to tailor lifestyle interventions to the individual and optimize treatment outcomes.

To our knowledge no prior studies have assessed the independent contributions of weight loss with or without exercise to the response heterogeneity in insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic risk, particularly in the older obese population.

Additionally, in prior analyses that examine variability, studies have typically been small, and the majority lack a control group, precluding the ability to assess intervention-independent effects on response 45 The current trial includes a time-matched control group that allows assessment of intervention responses beyond both technical error and day-to-day biological fluctuations 67.

Using this approach, we observed that exercise combined with energy intake restriction-induced weight loss is a superior approach for improving the proportion of individuals who achieve a favorable response for both insulin sensitivity and cardiometabolic risk compared to weight loss alone or no intervention.

While others have suggested a similar mean group response to exercise vs. diet-induced weight loss in men for several clinical outcomes 14 — 17our findings suggest that more individuals will achieve a greater response magnitude to intervention with the combination of diet-induced weight loss and exercise compared to diet alone.

Taken together, our novel findings reinforce and provide support for the inclusion of regular exercise in addition to dietary recommendations to improve the likelihood that an individual responds favorably to treatment.

We completed a comprehensive assessment of relationships between baseline traits and response for glycemic control and cardiometabolic risk, including clinical laboratory outcomes, MRI-derived body composition, aerobic fitness, muscle and hepatic insulin sensitivity, and immunohistochemical analysis of fiber type and capillary density.

Specifically, in both intervention groups, higher baseline triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol were associated with greater improvement in cardiometabolic risk while higher plasma insulin and HOMA-IR were associated with increased insulin sensitivity. Consistent with our findings are those from a week diet and exercise intervention in individuals aged 18—75 years who were at risk for type 2 diabetes 9wherein High Responders for glucose AUC assessed by 2-h OGTT had higher baseline weight, visceral AT, fasting glucose, 2-h OGTT glucose, and triglycerides and lower HDL-cholesterol compared to those who experienced an adverse response or attenuated response to the intervention.

However, our findings also contradict many others who observed blunted responses to exercise interventions associated with metabolically unhealthy outcome levels at baseline 4518 — Several factors may explain the discrepant findings, including differences in sample demographics and disease diagnosis, duration of disease, medication use, dissimilar outcome variables, correlation vs.

categorical response analysis, intervention characteristics, etc. Thus, further investigation is warranted to evaluate whether response heterogeneity and predictors of response differ across population subtypes and lifestyle modifications to move closer to personalized lifestyle medicine that optimizes changes in clinical outcomes based on individual characteristics.

Numerous mechanisms have been highlighted as potential contributors to an individual's response to lifestyle intervention 21 Prior work from our group demonstrated that skeletal muscle DNA methylation and RNA expression patterns reflective of elevations in antioxidant defense, insulin signaling, and mitochondrial metabolism were present in Non-Responders based on changes in PCR recovery rate i.

These molecular characteristics of Non-Responders correlated with higher baseline insulin sensitivity and muscle mitochondrial function in vivo Taken together, these mechanistic findings support the interpretation of our observations that indicate a higher metabolic burden and less healthy skeletal muscle phenotype allows for a greater window of opportunity for improvement.

Thus, factors across a range of molecular and metabolic outcomes genetics, epigenetics, metabolism, physiology, etc. likely play a role in an individual's response to intervention and should be further exploited in future studies

: Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss

Insulin resistance and diet

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. June 20, Van Gaal L, Scheen A. Weight Management in Type 2 Diabetes: Current and Emerging Approaches to Treatment.

Diabetes Care. June 1, Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

May Insulin Resistance and Diabetes. Schenk S, Harber MP, Shrivastava CR, et al. Improved Insulin Sensitivity After Weight Loss and Exercise Training Is Mediated by a Reduction in Plasma Fatty Acid Mobilization, Not Enhanced Oxidative Capacity. The Journal of Physiology.

October 15, Understanding A1C. American Diabetes Association. Chaudhry ZW, Doshi RS, Mehta AK, et al. Obesity Reviews. August Kim JY. Optimal Diet Strategies for Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. March 30, Prevent Diabetes Complications.

November 3, Brown JD, Buscemi J, Milsom V, et al. Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Factors of Weight Losses Limited to 5— Translational Behavioral Medicine.

September Ryan AS, Ge S, Blumenthal JB, et al. Aerobic Exercise and Weight Loss Reduce Vascular Markers of Inflammation and Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Obese Women. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. April Zarzour A, Kim HW, Weintraub N. July 3, What Is Atherosclerosis?

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. March 24, Suni E, Singh A. Sleep Apnea. Sleep Foundation. August 9, Pamidi S, Tasali E. Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Type 2 Diabetes: Is There a Link? Frontiers in Neurology. August 13, Improve Your Sleep and Reduce Your Risk of Diabetes.

American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health. Diabetes Management: How Lifestyle, Daily Routine Affect Blood Sugar. Mayo Clinic.

June 3, Rejeski WJ, Ip EH, Bertoni AG, et al. Lifestyle Change and Mobility in Obese Adults With Type 2 Diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine. March 29, Bone and Joint Problems Associated With Diabetes. April 9, Losing Weight. June 15, It helps prevent more than just weight gain!

A large body of research has shown that exercise increases insulin sensitivity. Moreover, exercise can also increase muscle mass, and increased muscle mass takes more glucose out of the blood and into the cells.

And the weight loss you experience from exercise will also help boost insulin sensitivity. Protein helps prevent glucose spikes by slowing down digestion. But too much protein can backfire and reduce insulin sensitivity. Similarly, a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrates can contribute to insulin resistance too.

However, pairing your carbohydrates with a little bit of fat can help with improving blood glucose levels. The key is to focus on finding the right balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats for your unique body.

This where an individualized approach either with a CGM, dietitian, or both can help. Chronic inflammation creates an environment where many harmful molecules prevent your body from responding to insulin.

One reason for inflammation is high body fat levels since adipose tissue holds onto inflammatory molecules. And as we mentioned, losing weight through exercise is a great way to reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.

Another way is to live an anti-inflammatory lifestyle, including focusing on antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, cutting down on trans fatty acids, avoiding spending too much time in polluted areas, reducing exposure to obesogens , and engaging in healthier habits.

We discuss some of these habits below! Spending time in the sun for a safe length of time is one healthy lifestyle habit that can improve vitamin D levels and insulin sensitivity. One study found that getting an adequate amount of bright sunshine was linked to reduced insulin resistance.

The researchers illustrated this link by showing that healthy sun exposure resulted in decreased fasting insulin levels. And sunlight exposure was also found to improve LDL, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, helping to decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes in this study.

Yet another healthy lifestyle habit that is tied to eating antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables! Antioxidants are a type of micronutrient that help to eliminate harmful inflammatory and stressful molecules from the body.

Too much stress can encourage insulin resistance. Reducing stress helps to reduce inflammation, helps regulate hunger, and can help to keep your glucose levels stable too.

According to Diabetes UK , stress results in high levels of hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones, like inflammatory molecules, will make it harder for your body to respond to insulin properly.

Getting adequate sleep is good for overall health but can also help increase insulin sensitivity by reducing stress and mitigating inflammation. Not getting enough sleep is a risk factor for developing insulin resistance. So, it may be time you used your boundary-setting skills with yourself to get to bed on time and catch those Zs.

Your blood sugar levels can significantly impact how your body feels and functions. When you join the Nutrisense CGM program , our team of credentialed dietitians and nutritionists are available for additional support and guidance to help you reach your goals.

Ready to take the first step? Start with our quiz to see how Nutrisense can support your health. She's a dietitian at Nutrisense, and has experience working as a clinical dietitian at a VA medical center specializing in oncology and at the Mayo Clinic, working with a wide range of patients ranging from neonates in the NICU to adult ICU.

How It Works Nutritionists Journal. What Is A CGM? Get Started. Promo code SPRING will be automatically applied at checkout! Team Nutrisense. Share on Twitter. Share on Facebook. Share via Email. Reviewed by. Jordyn Wallerius, MS, RDN, CD. How to Determine Insulin Resistance.

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Insulin Sensitivity: How You Can Optimize It for Better Health

Your body is blocking the insulin from working correctly to lower blood sugar levels for people who are insulin resistant. Saturated fats have also been associated with insulin resistance. Healthy, unsaturated fats, such as those recommended below, are a better choice. Eating high-fiber foods and mixed meals , not just carbohydrates alone, can help slow digestion and take pressure off the pancreas.

Vegetables are low in calories and high in fiber, making them an ideal food to help you manage your blood sugar. The best vegetable options are:. Munch on some fruit for:. Choose fresh or frozen fruits. Avoid fruit juices since they can raise blood sugar as quickly as regular soda. Dairy gives you the calcium you need to help promote strong teeth and bones.

Choose lower fat, unsweetened milk and yogurt. Skip whole milk and full-fat yogurts because a high intake of saturated fat, found in animal fats, has been linked to insulin resistance. Rice and almond milk are also alternative milk options, but they have very little protein or nutritional value.

Whole-grain foods are fine for people with insulin resistance. Some people believe that avoiding all carbohydrates is important to prevent diabetes, but healthy, whole, unprocessed carbohydrate sources are actually a good fuel source for your body.

To get the recommended amount of nutrients, aim for products that list whole-grain ingredients first on the label. Beans are an excellent source of fiber.

They raise blood sugar levels slowly, which is a plus for people with insulin resistance. Some good options are:. Fish rich in omega-3 include:. Shellfish fans can enjoy:. To keep your poultry consumption healthy, peel and toss the skin.

Poultry skin has much more fat than the meat. The good news is, you can cook with the skin on to maintain moistness and then remove it before you eat it. You should opt for:. Choose healthy unsaturated fat sources. These fats can slow down digestion and provide essential fatty acids.

Nuts , seeds, and nut and seed butters offer:. Nuts and seeds are also low in carbohydrates, which will benefit anyone trying to manage their blood sugar.

Heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids are also found in some nuts and seeds like flax seeds and walnuts. But be careful. Nuts, while very healthy, are also high in calories. Be mindful of how nuts and seeds are prepared. Some snacks, as well as nut and seed butters , contain added sodium and sugar.

This could increase the calories and decrease the nutritional value of the nuts or nut butter. Avocados and olives are also ideal choices.

Cooking with olive oil instead of solid fats is recommended. Regular exercise can help prevent diabetes by:. Anything that gets you moving qualifies as exercise. Do something you enjoy such as:. Keep moving to burn calories and keep your blood glucose levels on target.

New guidelines suggest breaking up sitting time every half hour. At work, take the stairs instead of the elevator and walk around the block during your lunch hour.

At home, play a game of catch with your kids or walk in place as you watch television. Being obese or overweight increases your risk for diabetes and diabetes-related complications. However, losing even a few pounds can reduce your risk for health problems, while also helping control your glucose levels.

A study showed that losing 5 to 7 percent of your body weight might help reduce your risk for diabetes by more than 50 percent. Recent follow-up studies have shown that weight loss of 7 to 10 percent provides maximum prevention of type 2 diabetes.

For example, if your starting weight is pounds, losing 14 — 20 pounds will make a huge difference. The best way to lose weight is to eat fewer calories than you burn and to exercise regularly each day.

Set small goals that are achievable and specific. For example, start with one healthy change to your diet and one addition to your activity level. Herbs and spices, including fenugreek , turmeric , ginger , cinnamon , and garlic , have shown promising results in increasing insulin sensitivity 25 , Other herbs that may have this effect include basil, dill, fennel, parsley, cumin, nutmeg, oregano, and rosemary.

Research has identified at least compounds contained in a variety of herbs and spices that may contribute to reducing insulin resistance Several studies have found that drinking green tea can help increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar 27 , These beneficial effects of green tea could be due to its powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate EGCG , which helps increase insulin sensitivity Vinegar could help increase insulin sensitivity by reducing blood sugar and improving the effectiveness of insulin It also appears to delay the stomach from releasing food into the intestines, giving the body more time to absorb sugar into the bloodstream Unlike other fats, trans fats provide no health benefits and increase the risk of many diseases Evidence on the effects of high trans-fat intake on insulin resistance appears to be mixed.

Some human studies have found it harmful, while others have not 33 , Many different supplements can help increase insulin sensitivity, including vitamin C , probiotics , and magnesium. That said, many other supplements, such as zinc, folate, and vitamin D, do not appear to have this effect, according to research As with all supplements, there is a risk they may interact with any current medication you may be taking.

Insulin is an important hormone that has many roles in the body. When your insulin sensitivity is low, it puts pressure on your pancreas to increase insulin production to clear sugar from your blood. Low insulin sensitivity is also called insulin resistance. Insulin sensitivity describes how your cells respond to insulin.

Symptoms develop when your cells are resistant to insulin. Insulin resistance can result in chronically high blood sugar levels, which are thought to increase your risk of many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.

Insulin resistance is bad for your health, but having increased insulin sensitivity is good. It means your cells are responding to insulin in a healthier way, which reduces your chance of developing diabetes. Consider trying some of the suggestions in this article to help increase your insulin sensitivity and lower your risk of disease but be sure to talk with a healthcare professional first before making changes, especially adding supplements to your treatment regimen.

Read this article in Spanish. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Insulin is a very important hormone in the body. A resistance to its effects, called insulin resistance, is a leading driver of many health conditions.

If not treated, high insulin levels can lead to serious health problems. Here are 14 diet and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your levels. Eating certain foods can help you lose weight and reverse insulin resistance. Discover helpful and healthy diet tips for managing insulin resistance.

Having high blood sugar levels is a common issue for people with diabetes and prediabetes. Here are 15 natural ways to lower your blood sugar levels. New research suggests that logging high weekly totals of moderate to vigorous physical activity can reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney….

Kelly Clarkson revealed that she was diagnosed with prediabetes, a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, during an episode….

New research has revealed that diabetes remission is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Type 2…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep?

Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. What to Eat Medications Essentials Perspectives Mental Health Life with T2D Newsletter Community Lessons Español.

Nutrition Evidence Based Top Natural Ways to Improve Your Insulin Sensitivity. Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Ryan Raman, MS, RD — Updated on October 30, Get more sleep.

Exercise more. Explore our top resources. Reduce stress. Lose a few pounds. Discover more about Type 2 Diabetes. Eat health-promoting foods. Frequently asked questions.

The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History.

9 Ways to Improve Insulin Sensitivity - Nutrisense Journal Monica was the only person in the challenge with Type-1 Diabetes. Researchers said baricitinib, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, showed promise in a clinical trial in helping slow the progression of type 1…. Over time, it can lead to…. I thought he was barking mad how can what you eat effect the skin on your legs!!? For example, the Mediterranean diet is a diet plan inspired by a specific culture that involves eating lots of seasonal, plant-based foods, such as fruits and vegetables, and using olive oil as the primary source of fat.
Does weight loss help with insulin resistance? From the beginning Steve was so encouraging and understanding. Interestingly, his appetite settled down once we got him on insulin. Inflammation is the way your immune system responds to potentially harmful events around your body. The first thing Steve said the moment he saw it was something in your gut s causing it. Over time, this could lead to type 2 diabetes and various other health concerns. Mental Health.
Updated Aug senitivity, — Written by Craig Clarke. Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss review by Dr. Frank Aieta, ND. Sebsitivity contrast, insulin sensitive cells are able to efficiently and effectively respond to insulin in a way that allows us to carry out many of the vital mechanisms needed to maintain health. Altogether, this phenomenon is called insulin sensitivity, and it plays a significant role in fat loss, hormone balance, metabolic function, and disease prevention.

Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss -

If this condition is left untreated, it can become lethal which is exemplified by the fact that type 2 diabetes is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Fortunately, this vicious cycle of insulin resistance can be prevented — and its severity significantly reduced — when we address the lifestyle factors that drive insulin resistance.

However, it is possible to distill our learnings into one simple concept that will help you understand what causes insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity for most people:. By energy status, I mean the current state of your cells. Are they being bathed in energy molecules without any demand to use it up?

To further illustrate the big picture of insulin sensitivity, here is a graph from an article published in Comprehensive Physiology :. This graph depicts the relationships between insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity.

This is what commonly occurs in healthy individuals. However, when insulin secretion fails to compensate for a fall in insulin sensitivity, the person will progress to prediabetes Point C.

If no changes are made at this point, the disease will progress from point C to Point D type 2 diabetes. The only way to prevent this from happening is by improving your insulin sensitivity. Although the exact cause of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes is not yet fully understood, researchers have found the most robust evidence for the following two factors:.

Various genetic and social factors can contribute to our likelihood of developing insulin resistance as well. It can be drastically improved with simple lifestyle modifications.

Carbohydrates stimulate the most insulin release of all the macronutrients so, theoretically, a low-carb diet should decrease insulin levels and improve insulin sensitivity to some degree. The current research seems to back up this speculation. In one study, for example, ten obese subjects with type 2 diabetes i.

Similar findings are being echoed throughout the research, which we took a closer look at in our article on the ketogenic diet and insulin resistance. However, carbohydrate restriction is not the only reason why keto dieting can help with insulin resistance.

The keto diet provides with insulin sensitivity boost that we get from fat loss as well. Studies have shown that having high amounts of fat, especially around your midsection, can produce harmful chemicals and hormones responsible for decreased insulin sensitivity and increased inflammation.

Simply by losing excess fat, insulin sensitivity and metabolic function will improve significantly. More specifically, one study found that a weight loss of 5 percent is all obese patients need to experience some of the positive effects of fat loss on insulin sensitivity.

For more specific recommendations, check out our article about how to lose weight on keto. We learned earlier that decreased energy status typically leads to increased insulin sensitivity. In fact, one pilot study found that intermittent fasting for 2 weeks with a hour feeding window helped to improve blood sugar levels with a trend toward improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetics.

The research on dietary interventions for type 2 diabetes also suggests that calorie restriction is one of the major factors that can help manage and potentially reverse the disease. One way to achieve this, which was confirmed by the pilot study on intermittent fasting, is by restricting your feeding window, so you eat fewer calories throughout the day.

By eating fewer calories, you decrease your energy status, which improves overall insulin sensitivity. However, there is one caveat to fasting and intermittent fasting for people who have diabetes. Since both forms of fasting can cause significant changes in blood sugar levels, it is best to consult your doctor before adding these strategies to your lifestyle.

One of the quickest ways to improve insulin sensitivity is by exercising. Exercise has such an impact on our energy stores that many of the cells throughout our body must make themselves more sensitive to insulin to ensure that they will get the energy they need.

Fortunately, both aerobic and anaerobic exercise will reduce your insulin resistance in a variety of ways, so the type of exercise you do is entirely up to you. Aerobic exercise involves any form of physical activity that you requires you to exercise for a prolonged period of time without rest breaks.

Aerobic activity has the ability to increase insulin sensitivity for up to 72 hours after the exercise session. This is part of the reason why most of us need to move more. Overall, it is best to aim for five hours of exercise per week.

Research suggests that this is the sweet spot for vastly improving your insulin sensitivity. To get the best results, I recommend doing a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercise throughout the week.

Anaerobic exercise will help you build more muscle and burn through glycogen stores, which keeps your insulin sensitivity high, while aerobic exercise will burn off sugar and trigger fat burning, so that your cells never have a chance to increase their insulin resistance.

Having a set sleep schedule that allows you to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night is essential for proper hormonal function. In other words, losing sleep will cause you to feel hungrier than usual while simultaneously increasing your stress levels and insulin resistance thanks to cortisol.

Insulin is an important hormone that has many roles in the body. When your insulin sensitivity is low, it puts pressure on your pancreas to increase insulin production to clear sugar from your blood. Low insulin sensitivity is also called insulin resistance.

Insulin sensitivity describes how your cells respond to insulin. Symptoms develop when your cells are resistant to insulin. Insulin resistance can result in chronically high blood sugar levels, which are thought to increase your risk of many diseases, including diabetes and heart disease.

Insulin resistance is bad for your health, but having increased insulin sensitivity is good. It means your cells are responding to insulin in a healthier way, which reduces your chance of developing diabetes. Consider trying some of the suggestions in this article to help increase your insulin sensitivity and lower your risk of disease but be sure to talk with a healthcare professional first before making changes, especially adding supplements to your treatment regimen.

Read this article in Spanish. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Insulin is a very important hormone in the body.

A resistance to its effects, called insulin resistance, is a leading driver of many health conditions. If not treated, high insulin levels can lead to serious health problems. Here are 14 diet and lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your levels.

Eating certain foods can help you lose weight and reverse insulin resistance. Discover helpful and healthy diet tips for managing insulin resistance. Having high blood sugar levels is a common issue for people with diabetes and prediabetes. Here are 15 natural ways to lower your blood sugar levels.

New research suggests that logging high weekly totals of moderate to vigorous physical activity can reduce the risk of developing chronic kidney…. Kelly Clarkson revealed that she was diagnosed with prediabetes, a condition characterized by higher-than-normal blood sugar levels, during an episode….

New research has revealed that diabetes remission is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. Type 2…. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. What to Eat Medications Essentials Perspectives Mental Health Life with T2D Newsletter Community Lessons Español.

Nutrition Evidence Based Top Natural Ways to Improve Your Insulin Sensitivity. Medically reviewed by Kelly Wood, MD — By Ryan Raman, MS, RD — Updated on October 30, Get more sleep.

Exercise more. Explore our top resources. Reduce stress. Lose a few pounds. Also, the hunger and appetite for carb rich food that usually results from sleep-deprived individuals, is not going to help insulin sensitivity levels!

Insufficient sleep is associated with increased risk of: obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome and high blood pressure. Tip: assess your sleep status and what needs to be improved.

Identify one habit you can change tonight — Creating a consistent wake up time is one of the best initial changes that you can make. Weight loss has a potent effect on insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals 8.

In particular belly fat, where there is the type of visceral fat stored around the organs, is associated with insulin resistance. Check out I nsulin resistance and weight gain to learn more. Although you will need to be in an energy deficit, keep it moderate for an approach that is healthy and long lasting.

Consider adding exercise for optimising your overall health and assisting with losing fat rather than muscle. Tip: why not make a tasty vinegar-based dressing and add it to your salad to have before your main meal, or you could try a capful of apple cider vinegar mixed with a little water taken as a shot before a meal.

This significantly improves insulin levels and insulin sensitivity. This is independent of weight loss and also improves the health of the cells that secrete insulin Tip: simply watch the clock!

So, if you have breakfast at 8, then finish eating your dinner by 8. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are frequently low in magnesium and when provided with magnesium supplementation, their insulin resistance significantly improves Tip: incorporate tasty sources of magnesium into your diet, such as dark leafy greens, spinach , nuts, seeds, avocado, dark chocolate, tofu and fatty fish like halibut.

Oral supplementation, Epsom salt baths and magnesium oils are all ways that you can increase your magnesium levels. The research on the benefits just keeps on increasing!

Some benefits include reduced perceived stress, reduced anxiety, reduced depressive symptoms, better quality of life, decreased sleep disturbance, improved cognition Long term meditation practise is associated with improved brain health, offsetting typical age-related decline.

And, it importantly improves insulin resistance and glucose intolerance — as well as reducing blood pressure, oxidative stress and inflammation Curcumin, the major part of turmeric, has multiple effects, some of which include: reducing blood glucose levels, stimulating insulin secretion and improving the function of the cells that secrete insulin Exercise is undoubtedly one of the best ways to improve glucose uptake into our cells.

Exercise can induce transporters in our cells that help draw glucose into the muscle tissue, clearing it from the blood. Here are some science-backed exercise tips for insulin sensitivity.

Our team of Nutritionist and Functional Medicine Practitioners are on hand to support you with with goals. Whether you have insulin resistance, pre-diabetes or diagnosed type 2 diabetes, our team specialises in helping clients reverse all the above through natural therapies.

For more information on how we help those with or at risk of type 2 diabetes, CLICK HERE. Meet the team behind Steve Grant Health and understand their areas of speciality and how they can help you achieve your goals.

We Specialise in Optimising Cardiometabolic Health, Digestive Health, and Human Performance using Nutrition, Lifestyle, and Functional Medicine. Learn about our process from enquiry to consultations as well as the support packages that we offer. Get in touch today and book a free discovery call with one of our clinicians to learn more about how we can support your goals.

Get in touch today. I first went to Steve Grant Health in July after feeling super low energy, sleeping badly and struggling to motivate myself to train for months. The final straw was missing a period which scared me into finding out what the problem was.

After an initial consultation Steve sent me for After an initial consultation Steve sent me for a series of blood tests, and as soon as the results were back I saw him a second time to talk through the results, and get a plan of action put into place.

I was advised to switch up my nutrition and to follow a supplement protocol for 8 weeks which worked like a dream. I felt like a new person, my periods came back and have been regular ever since and I now sleep through the night most nights.

I have also been able to get back to training, which as a personal trainer, is really important to me and my business. I had my bloods re- tested in November to confirm that everything had improved since my original testing. I have been labelled as a type 2 diabetic or pre diabetic for nearly 15 years.

After a stressful period in my life and losing my way somewhat with my diet and lifestyle, my average blood sugars HbA1C had increased from a previous 7. Following a consultation with Steve, where he reviewed my previous lab test and ran 2 additional lab tests, reviewed my nutrition and current lifestyle and began to formulate a plan.

Steve offered weekly support and food diary reviews, and to my amazement doubled, if not tripled the amount of food I was eating. We also used a blood glucometer to test how my bloods were reacting to certain meals, allowing me to manage my blood sugars and understand the effects certain foods were having on them.

After 3 months it was time for my diabetic review and the follow up blood tests. I knew things were going well because I had been tracking my blood sugar levels gradually dropping over the past 3 months, along with my body weight which was now 11kg lighter. The good thing is I know it is not over now, Steve has set me some new goals for when I go for another review in 6 months.

I still have to continue with my healthy eating habits, but the best thing is I want to continue. The past three months have completely change how I approach my nutrition and lifestyle, and in such a short time I feel so much better and my self-confidence is now returning.

I then had the good sense to ask him to He is able to provide the most personal and bespoke care wherever I travel. I have referred several colleagues as well as my own daughter.

I will certainly to continue this as I am in awe of his knowledge, ability and manner. Steve has truly been a life changer for me and I am forever grateful.

I thoroughly enjoy my sessions with Steve. He is attentive and responsive, always listening carefully and always knowledgeable about nutrition, as well as the wider world of human therapy.

He develops simple and effective programs that are strict and focussed without being intimidating.

Insulin sensitivity refers semsitivity how insupin your cells Metabolism and inflammation to insulin. You may be able los improve it by Optimizing insulin sensitivity for weight loss more sleep and exercise and eating certain health-promotion foods. Insulin is an essential hormone that controls your blood sugar levels. When your pancreas senses high blood sugar, it makes more insulin to overcome the resistance and reduce your blood sugar. Over time, this can deplete the pancreas of insulin-producing cells, which is common in type 2 diabetes.

Author: Teramar

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