For anyone suffering glucose intolerance or insulin resistance, finding a lasting solution for the condition may be a challenge. These two conditions have become common, especially in western countries. Experts attribute the increasing number of such cases to lifestyle issues, including poor diet and lack of physical activity.
What is Glucose Intolerance?
Glucose intolerance basically refers to the metabolic conditions that may lead to blood sugar levels that are higher than normal. Glucose intolerance is also referred to as hyperglycemia. Some of the conditions that are associated with hyperglycemia include impaired fasting glucose, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance.
For anyone suffering from glucose intolerance some symptoms are common. These include a feeling of extreme thirst, extreme fatigue, drowsiness, blurred vision and the frequent need to urinate. Some people may also experience loss of weight and muscle mass.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance, on the other hand, is also known as insulin insensitivity. The condition manifests itself when the body stops to respond to insulin. Insulin is an important hormone which is released by the cells in the pancreas. The hormone is responsible for regulating carbohydrate and fat breakdown in the body. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it means that the pancreas creates high levels of insulin so as to lower blood sugar levels. Low insulin sensitivity is also known as hyperinsulinemia.
Insulin resistance has been known to cause various health issues, including high blood pressure, heart disease, osteoporosis, and even damage to the blood vessels. When the insulin levels shoot up, blood sugar will also go up, and this will cause more damage to the cells in the pancreas. If undetected, the increase in blood sugar may lead to type 2 diabetes.
The good news, however, is that these two conditions can be managed with a change in lifestyle and healthy life choices.
Treating Glucose Intolerance and Insulin Resistance Using Ketogenic Lifestyle
One of the best diets for anyone suffering from insulin resistance and glucose intolerance is the Ketogenic diet. In fact, studies have shown that the diet can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the symptoms of diabetes after a while. In 2005, the first study was conducted to prove the impact of a Ketogenic diet on an insulin resistant patient. The study used 10 obese people suffering from type 2 diabetes, and they were put on a normal diet for a week. For the next two weeks, the patients were put on a high fat Ketogenic diet.
The results of the 2005 study revealed that a high fat Ketogenic diet can increase insulin sensitivity by approximately 75%. The patients also lost an average of 1.65kg after the experiment. Their cholesterol level was also reduced by at least 10%. More studies were conducted in subsequent years, and they supported the findings of the 2005 study.
How to Incorporate a Ketogenic Diet into Your Lifestyle
For most people who would like to switch to a Ketogenic diet, the challenge is with knowing what to eat and what not to. The good news is that the diet is as simple as selecting healthy food options that are high in fat. These include eggs, beef, chicken and cheese. However, these food options must be eaten in the right proportions.
The other important factor to consider is that when you start on a Ketogenic diet, you may have to reduce your carbohydrate intake. However, vegetables and fruits are highly recommended. For example, for breakfast you can have an egg with cheese and spinach. Vegetables and fruits are not only rich in nutrients but they also help you flash out toxins.
Apart from diet, patients suffering from glucose intolerance or insulin sensitivity should also consider working out. Physical exercise is important in keeping the body active and fit. Exercise will also help you lose unhealthy weight and help you focus on beating the symptoms of your condition.
Managing your glucose levels and insulin sensitivity is as easy as changing your lifestyle, but it may not be as easy as it sounds. If you need help incorporating a Ketogenic lifestyle into your daily routine, working with a professional who understands how the keto diet works is crucial. It is also important to check with your physician if you experience any adverse symptoms while on the diet. If you’re on Facebook, check out this amazing support community, Keto123.
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