Insulin Resistance & Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. For decades, cholesterol has
been vilified as the key factor driving heart attacks and strokes. While new
drugs can drastically reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol, studies suggest that lives are not being saved
by this approach. A paradigm shift is underway, and refined carbohydrates,
sugar, and insulin resistance are emerging as key threats to heart health.
The
role of insulin
Insulin is an essential hormone that escorts glucose molecules
from our circulation into body cells. Insulin-resistant cells can’t respond to
the knock of this hormonal chaperone on their walls. In a futile attempt to
knock louder, the pancreas produces more insulin, but the signal is not
received. Blood glucose levels continue to rise, progressing over time to type 2 diabetes.
While serious, diabetes is not the only
consequence of insulin resistance. Infertility, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, liver disease, and some cancers are all linked with disturbed insulin function. Although
death from cardiovascular disease is three times as likely in diabetics, insulin resistance alone will double one’s risk.
Insulin
resistance—3 strikes to the heart
If insulin helps our bodies to function, why
is too much of this hormone so harmful? High insulin levels deal three strikes
to our bodies by
- causing direct cellular damage to the cardiovascular system
- prompting changes to blood vessels, encouraging plaque formation
- fuelling cholesterol production and increasing blood pressure
What causes insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance is linked to obesity and a sedentary
lifestyle. Sugar is also a
suspect, but weight gain caused by high-sugar diets may be the true culprit. Men are at slightly higher risk owing to their tendency to deposit extra weight around
their abdominal organs. Other contributors are sleep apnea, poor
sleep quality, psychological stress, environmental pollutants, and possibly even artificial
sweeteners. Inflammation may add additional fuel to the fire.
Take your running shoes on vacation. Just two
weeks away from regular exercise can have negative effects on your insulin
levels.
How
is it treated?
Simply addressing the factors above will
improve your body’s response to insulin (also called “insulin sensitivity”). In
people who are obese or overweight, weight loss sensitizes tissues to the
message of insulin, lowering blood sugar and insulin levels. If
you have been prescribed a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine,
wearing it nightly may improve your insulin response.
Studies continue to investigate the most
insulin-sensitizing forms of exercise, but while the scientists sort it out,
get moving in any way that pleases you. Higher intensity exerciseis likely most beneficial, but simply breaking
up inactive periods with intermittent movement will help.
Dietary
influences
Following a Mediterranean-style
diet seems to improve
insulin sensitivity while protecting the heart through lowering cholesterol,
blood pressure, weight, and systemic inflammation. While questions remain about
the benefits or risks of alcohol, dairy, and grains on this plan, a plant-heavy diet packed with fibre, nuts, and antioxidant-rich foods should support proper insulin function.
Legumes such as peas, lentils, and chickpeas are also important
players, inspiring some of us
to quietly sing, “Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart” before
stopping abruptly.
What
about supplements?
Key supplements could be considered in
combination with a targeted diet and exercise plan and with the guidance of a
qualified health care practitioner (see below).
Vitamin
D insufficiency has
been implicated in insulin resistance. A 2019 meta-analysis found that vitamin D and calcium
improved insulin levels when taken in combination.
Berberine, a bright yellow compound found in
goldenseal and Oregon grape, is another promising agent. In research involving people with metabolic
syndrome, berberine improved insulin levels while reducing blood pressure, waist
measurements, and triglycerides. In another study of diabetics, berberine increased
insulin receptor expression, possibly explaining how it improves insulin
sensitivity. Another plant extract, curcumin, may act on inflammatory molecules to reduce insulin
resistance.
Zinc, found in everything from diaper cream to
multivitamins, may also lower insulin and blood sugar levels. Prediabetics
taking just 20
mg of zinc per day improved insulin measurements and cholesterol levels and
were less likely to progress to diabetes. Ongoing research into myo-inositol and magnesium may reveal additional options for
improving insulin management.
While insulin is essential for our survival,
too much of a good thing may have dire consequences for our heart and overall
health.
Source:www.alive.com
DR. APPIAH
Dr. Appiah is a Natural Health Therapist (Naturopath) who engages the natural healing agents given by God to save lives. EAT FOOD AS MEDICINE! EAT TO LIVE, DON'T LIVE TO EAT!! FOR BOOKINGS AND MORE: WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCTS? WANT A PERSONAL(CERTIFIED) NATURAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONER? REACH ME DIRECTLY ON WHATSAPP +233245643615 appiahinok@gmail.com
Very educative, think you Doctor