Insulin Resistance Flashcards
How does blood sugar work in the body?
Food enters the digestive tract, the pancreas secretes insulin to prepare cells to receive sugar. When sugar levels decrease, the pancreas secretes glucagon so cells stop taking in sugar.
What is insulin resistance?
When sugar stays in the bloodstream due to inflammation blocking signals to cells. This affects muscles, liver, fat tissue, and the brain. This is only the beginning of blood sugar issues, which are then followed by Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
What are the symptoms of insulin resistance?
Fatigue, brain fog, belly fat, sleepiness after meals, sugar cravings, especially after meals
What are symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
Increased thirst, frequent urination, poor healing of wounds, increased hunger, unexplained weight loss
What are symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome?
If 3 or more of the following:
High triglyceride levels, abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar, low HDL cholesterol levels
Is insulin resistance permanent?
No. It is very treatable with diet and lifestyle, but the client’s doctor should also be consulted for formal diagnosis.
What conditions are correlated to insulin resistance?
PCOS, PMS, Thyroid hormone imbalance, gestational diabetes
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Increased facial hair, acne, excess androgens, male-pattern baldness, abdominal obesity, ovulation abnormalities
What are the symptoms of PMS?
Painful, heavy periods, long cycles, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids
*Higher body weight can increase risk
What are the symptoms of Thyroid hormone imbalance?
Hyperthyroidism & Hypothyroidism
What are the symptoms of gestational diabetes?
Increases risk of Type 2 diabetes later in life (well after pregnancy & childbirth)
Blood sugar and insulin imbalances are at the root of what?
Almost ALL major chronic illnesses
How does blood sugar testing work?
Testing times are: first thing in the morning, before each meal, 15 minutes to 1 hour post-meal and before bed.
Follow instructions to get your readings.
Readings: ideal fasting blood glucose = Below 85. /. Post -meal should only increase 20-25 points, to no higher than 110.
Testing will help to learn what foods impact a person’s blood sugar.
What are factors contributing to blood sugar imbalance?
Obesity, diet and eating habits, inflammation, stress, lack of sleep, toxins, certain kinds of excess exercising
What are ways to support clients regarding blood sugar imbalances?
Start with stress management & self-care, crowd out carbs and sugar and replace with healthy fats and protein, trying out intermittent fasting for 10-12 hrs, 3-4 hr meal spacing and eliminate snacking, encourage healthier food choices, prioritize sleep and create bedtime routines, eat clean, use filtered water, avoid plastics, flame retardants, and switching to cleaner personal care products, doing HITT, Tabata, Yoga, resistance training for exercise
