Can Insulin Resistance Be Reversed?
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40-year-old Rina visited her physician for a routine checkup. She complained of weight gain and increased pigmentation in certain body areas.
After undergoing a few specific tests, her doctor told her she has insulin resistance, the early stage of diabetes. Rina was worried.
“Is this a lifelong condition?” “Can it be cured?”, “Is there a way to reverse this condition?”, “Can insulin resistance be reversed?”- Rina’s mind was bursting with these questions.
If you are in the same boat as Rina, this article is for you!
What is the Difference Between Reversal and Remission?
Diabetes, which was earlier considered to be a “lifelong sentence”, can be sent into remission (it can be reversed) with the right measures.
Diabetes remission is said to be achieved when a person with type 2 diabetes has been able to maintain their HbA1c levels within the normal range for atleast one year without using medications.
So, can insulin resistance be reversed?
According to recent research, type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, but individuals can have glucose levels that return to the non-diabetes range (complete remission) or pre-diabetes glucose level (partial remission).
The primary means by which people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission is by losing a significant amount of weight.
| Types of Remission | HbA1c Levels | Fasting blood glucose levels | Duration |
| Partial | Between 5.7% and 6.4% | Between 100-125 mg/dL | For atleast 1 year without medications |
| Complete | <5.7% | <100 mg/dL | For atleast 1 year without medication |
| Prolonged | Complete remission for atleast 5 years | ||
It is also important to note that early diagnosis of insulin resistance ensures a better chance of remission through personalised recommendations and lifestyle modifications.
What are the Criteria for Insulin Resistance to be Considered for Remission?
If you have been wondering, “Can insulin resistance be reversed?” you are not alone!
Most people wonder if the condition can be completely cured or reversed. Remission can be achieved in the following groups of people with Insulin resistance:
| Parameter | Description |
| Duration of Diabetes | Less than 5 years since diagnosis |
| HbA1c at Diagnosis | Less than 9% |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | Higher than 23 kg/sq. m. |
| Age | Under 60 years old |
What is Insulin Resistance?
Your body breaks down whatever you eat into sugar. This sugar needs to enter your cells to provide you with energy.
Insulin is like a key that helps the sugar get into your cells to do its job.
However, in insulin resistance, the muscle, fat, and liver cells do not take up glucose from the blood in response to the insulin produced by the body.
To overcome this issue, the pancreas produces more insulin to help glucose from the blood enter the muscle, fat, and liver cells.
As a result, these cells do not take up glucose from the blood, resulting in high blood glucose levels.
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What Causes Insulin Resistance?
Before we learn more about can insulin resistance be reversed, we must know what causes it. Though the exact cause is unclear, here are a few contributing factors:
1. Excess body fat
Excess abdominal fat (fat around the abdominal organs) is one of the primary causes of insulin resistance.
2. Physical inactivity
A sedentary lifestyle and little or no physical activity have been associated with increased insulin resistance and risk of diabetes.
3. Improper Diet
Eating a carbohydrate-rich diet can increase your risk of insulin resistance.
4. Medications
Some medications like steroids, those for hypertension and psychiatric disorders, may also contribute to insulin resistance.
Is it Possible To Reverse Insulin Resistance? How?
Yes, reversing insulin resistance is possible – with lifestyle changes and behavioural modification. The goal is to make the body cells more insulin-sensitive.
You can do this by working in close coordination with your doctor.
At Fitterfly’s Diabetes Prime Program, our team of experts, which includes a nutritionist, fitness experts and success coach, guide you in diagnosing the cause of your insulin resistance using CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitoring) and offer a personalised diabetes care plan to help reverse your insulin resistance and prevent its progress to type 2 diabetes.
Here are a few things recommended by our experts:
1. Fix your diet
Fixing your diet does not mean eating expensive or exotic foods. All you need to do is eat a very low-calorie diet (VLCD), i.e., <800 calories per day
With Fitterfly, you will work closely with our nutritionist, who will help curate a diet plan that is not only healthy and balanced to keep your blood sugar levels in the normal range but also easy to follow in the long run.
2. Lose weight
Visceral fat, such as fat around the waist, contributes to insulin resistance. So, losing a few kilos can help reduce it. Losing weight has to be a long-term goal.
3. Become more physically active
Building muscle can improve insulin sensitivity because muscles help store glucose better and reduce insulin resistance.
- Get at least 30 minutes of physical exercise daily or 150 minutes of physical exercise weekly.
- Brisk walking, jogging, running, swimming, cycling or playing a sport are a good way to stay physically fit.
At Fitterfly, you will work closely with our physiotherapy and fitness coach to find the right combination of physical exercises for you.
4. Bust stress and get a good night’s sleep
Did you know most people with type 2 diabetes don’t sleep well?
- A good quality 7 to 8 hours of sleep and reduced stress are essential to maintain optimum blood sugar levels.
How Can We at Fitterfly Help You?
If you wish to achieve remission of insulin resistance in the long term, you must follow a healthy lifestyle, eat a nutritious diet, exercise daily, keep your stress levels to the minimum and get a good night’s sleep.
Motivation to get healthy is easy, but consistently following through is hard. This is particularly true for people with insulin resistance, who are standing at the doorway between good health and type 2 diabetes.
However, you can make this easy by signing up for Fitterfly’s Diabetes Prime Program. Reach out to discover how we can make a difference on 08069450746.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can insulin resistance be reversed naturally?
You can achieve remission from insulin resistance by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, getting good sleep every night and keeping your stress levels to a bare minimum.
Can insulin resistance be reversed completely?
Insulin resistance cannot be reversed but sent into remission.
Can insulin resistance be reversed with weight loss?
Yes, achieving weight loss is one of the effective ways to achieve remission if you have insulin resistance and prediabetes.
Can insulin resistance be reversed without medication?
In some cases, insulin resistance can be sent into remission with lifestyle modifications only. However, this decision is taken by the doctor after evaluating all health parameters in an individual.
How fast can insulin resistance be reversed?
Insulin resistance can be sent into remission but it does not happen immediately. It takes a few weeks to a few months to achieve remission under the able guidance of a doctor.
How long can it take to reverse insulin resistance?
If you have insulin resistance, the time take to achieve remission can vary from person to person. Avoid trying to reverse your insulin resistance without consulting your doctor.
