{"id":4217,"date":"2022-08-11T15:48:06","date_gmt":"2022-08-11T10:18:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fitterfly.com\/blog\/?p=4217"},"modified":"2024-03-28T15:44:17","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T10:14:17","slug":"can-insulin-resistance-be-reversed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitterfly.com\/blog\/can-insulin-resistance-be-reversed\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Insulin Resistance Be Reversed?"},"content":{"rendered":"

40-year-old Rina visited her physician for a routine checkup. She complained of weight gain and increased pigmentation in certain body areas.<\/p>\n

After undergoing a few specific tests, her doctor told her she has insulin resistance<\/strong>, the early stage of diabetes. Rina was worried.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this a lifelong condition?\u201d \u201cCan it be cured?\u201d, \u201cIs there a way to reverse this condition?\u201d, \u201cCan insulin resistance be reversed?<\/strong>\u201d- Rina\u2019s mind was bursting with these questions.<\/p>\n

If you are in the same boat as Rina, this article is for you!<\/p>\n

\"Diabetes

What is the Difference Between Reversal and Remission?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Diabetes<\/a>, which was earlier considered to be a \u201clifelong sentence\u201d, can be sent into remission (it can be reversed) with the right measures.<\/p>\n

Diabetes remission is said to be achieved<\/a> when a person with type 2 diabetes has been able to maintain their HbA1c levels<\/a> within the normal range for atleast one year without using medications.<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, can insulin resistance be reversed?<\/strong><\/p>\n

According to recent research, type 2 diabetes cannot be cured<\/a>, but individuals can have glucose levels that return to the non-diabetes range (complete remission) or pre-diabetes glucose level (partial remission).<\/p>\n

The primary means by which people with type 2 diabetes achieve remission is by losing a significant amount of weight<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Types of remission<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Types of Remission<\/b><\/td>\nHbA1c Levels<\/b><\/td>\nFasting blood glucose levels<\/b><\/td>\nDuration<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Partial<\/span><\/td>\nBetween 5.7% and 6.4%<\/span><\/td>\nBetween 100-125 mg\/dL<\/span><\/td>\nFor atleast 1 year without medications<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Complete<\/span><\/td>\n<5.7%<\/span><\/td>\n<100 mg\/dL<\/span><\/td>\nFor atleast 1 year without medication<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Prolonged<\/span><\/td>\nComplete remission for atleast 5 years<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

It is also important to note that early diagnosis of insulin resistance ensures a better chance of remission through personalised recommendations and lifestyle modifications.<\/p>\n

What are the Criteria for Insulin Resistance to be Considered for Remission?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you have been wondering, \u201cCan insulin resistance be reversed?\u201d you are not alone!<\/p>\n

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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Parameter<\/b><\/td>\nDescription<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Duration of Diabetes<\/b><\/td>\nLess than 5 years since diagnosis<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HbA1c at Diagnosis<\/b><\/td>\nLess than 9%\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Body Mass Index (BMI)<\/b><\/td>\nHigher than 23 kg\/sq. m.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Age<\/b><\/td>\nUnder 60 years old<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

What is Insulin Resistance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Your body breaks down whatever you eat into sugar. This sugar needs to enter your cells to provide you with energy.<\/p>\n

Insulin is like a key that helps the sugar get into your cells to do its job.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

To overcome this issue, the pancreas produces more insulin to help glucose from the blood enter the muscle, fat, and liver cells.<\/p>\n

As a result, these cells do not take up glucose from the blood, resulting in high blood glucose levels.<\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

Diabetes Reversal
Calculator<\/h4>\n

To know your chances of  Diabetes reversal, take the Diabetes Reversal Test<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

\n Check<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/span><\/p>\n

What Causes Insulin Resistance?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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<\/a>:<\/p>\n

1. Excess body fat<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Excess abdominal fat (fat around the abdominal organs) is one of the primary causes of insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

2. Physical inactivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A sedentary lifestyle and little or no physical activity have been associated with increased insulin resistance and risk of diabetes.<\/p>\n

3. Improper Diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eating a carbohydrate-rich diet can increase your risk of insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

4. Medications<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Some medications like steroids, those for hypertension and psychiatric disorders, may also contribute to insulin resistance.<\/p>\n

Is it Possible To Reverse Insulin Resistance? How?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yes, reversing insulin resistance is possible<\/strong> – with lifestyle changes and behavioural modification. The goal is to make the body cells more insulin-sensitive.<\/p>\n

You can do this by working in close coordination with your doctor.<\/p>\n

At Fitterfly\u2019s Diabetes Prime Program<\/a>, 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)<\/a> and offer a personalised diabetes care plan to help reverse your insulin resistance and prevent its progress to type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n

Here are a few things recommended by our experts:<\/p>\n

1. Fix your diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fixing your diet does not mean eating expensive or exotic foods. All you need to do is eat a very low-calorie diet<\/a> (VLCD), i.e., <800 calories per day<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

2. Lose weight<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

3. Become more physically active<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Building muscle can improve insulin sensitivity because muscles help store glucose better and reduce insulin resistance.<\/p>\n