Tag: Insulin

Cottage cheese is a very versatile milk product that can be added to pancakes, smoothies, salads and much more. It has a mild flavor and is an excellent source of calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus. Studies have proven that it's an excellent low-fat dietary option for people with cardiovascular disease too.

Breastfeeding is known to improve the health of the mothers. Mothers who don't breastfeed are at a higher risk of developing ovarian and breast...

Skipping meals or going on a detox that requires you to stick to just water for a day or two may seem like a good idea. But what happens to your body when you skip a meal? Is it all good? Whether your goal is weight loss or a “cleanse,” here’s how going without any food for long stretches feels on the inside.

If you're gaining fat despite all measures, check whether your body has low levels of thyroid hormones. This can slow down your overall metabolism. Also check if you have too much insulin or an imbalance in estrogen and testosterone levels. This could make you store glucose as fat. Plus, high cortisol or leptin levels can make you overeat. Avoid refined foods and exercise well to use up glucose better.

Sprint interval training burns abdominal fat, hikes insulin sensitivity, and lowers carbs burning and high BP to avert diabetes and heart diseases. It helps build fat-free muscles by enhancing the protein synthesis pathways and hikes muscle stamina and efficiency by boosting oxygen exchange. It can also lift your mood by triggering endorphin release. Despite the benefits, it's best avoided by arthritic and cardiac patients.

Perpetually high insulin levels prevent your brain from recognizing insulin in circulation. This stimulates insulin production and unnecessary storage of fat. Excess sugar also triggers fat storage. Substitute high-glycemic carbs (bread, pasta) with healthy fats (e.g. butter). Avoid artificial sweeteners that the brain mistakes for sugar. Stabilize blood sugar levels by consuming spices.

Avocados are rich in nutrients, fatty acids, and plant sterols. They contain healthy fats, making them good for weight management. The plant sterols promote the production of estrogen in women and testosterone in men and also maintain the right progesterone balance in women. They also inhibit both synthesis and release of insulin, keeping it within healthy limits.

When under stress, your body goes into preservation mode, storing fat instead of burning it. Stress hormone - Adrenalin spikes blood sugar levels triggering insulin production that leads to fat storage. Constant stress keeps you always in 'fight or flight' mode and blocks the 'rest and digest' system functions. Negative emotions cause unmindful binging, leading to obesity.

Calories from nutrient-poor food like junk food spike your insulin levels, dull satiety signals, encourage overeating and set off cravings. Whereas nutrient rich food minimizes cravings, signal satiety, maintain stable blood sugar levels and keeps your hunger at bay. So the quality of food you put in your body is more important than calories you are counting.