Most people will have heard about the growing tide of diabetes that threatens to overwhelm medical services, but relatively few people are knowledgeable about the causes of diabetes. There is even less knowledge about the function of insulin and the impact resistance to this vital hormonal substance can have on health. Luckily research into how to reverse insulin resistance has produced many healthy options.

The hormone is created within the pancreas. Its critical activity is in aiding the breakdown of starch and fatty foodstuffs which contain energy providing glucose. Activity and normal organ functioning uses up much of the sugar, but if residual glucose is left in the blood stream a level of toxicity may develop. Hence the important process that makes it possible to store it in the liver, muscular and fatty tissues.

Failure of the body to effectively control these levels can result in diabetes. Type 1 diabetics depend on external sources of insulin, normally injected but sometimes in tablet form, because the body has ceased to produce the hormone. Type 2 diabetics differ in that they display resistance to the hormone and often receive other treatments to control blood glucose levels. Sometimes they have to resort back to insulin treatment if these fail. In a nutshell, this hormone makes possible and controls the release of energy within the body at a cellular level and so directly impacts on all bodily functions.

Insulin is produced in resistant sufferers but it does not function as it should. As a result the pancreas produces more and more but the bottom line is that sugars are not being broken down and absorbed and the threat of toxicity rises. Diagnosing correctly can be tricky. Symptoms such as mass gains around the tummy, cholesterol problems, raised blood pressures often point incorrectly towards cardio or circulation conditions.

Obesity arising from inactivity, excessive carbohydrate consumption, and hence more glucose once digested, from excessive junk and processed food all help to complicate and aggravate this condition. Regrettably the downward slide into the restrictive world of type two diabetes is largely avoidable. Proactive lifestyle, dietary choices and naturally occurring supplements can prevent or significantly delay the onset of symptoms.

The funny thing is that making the correct decisions is not that difficult. Good quality low carbohydrate fiber rich foods such as leafy green vegetables and salads abound in our supermarkets. Not only are they very nutritious but they contain very little sugar producing properties to start with. The sticky issue for many is exercise but done right this can be fun.

Proteins derived from fish, eggs, poultry, soy and whey also aid the process because they stimulate the release of hormones that work to counteract excessive insulin levels. Supplements rich in vitamins K, D, E and C, consult a specialist in this field for the correct dosage, all assist the normalization of blood sugars, as will any other naturally sourced anti-oxidant. Oh, and did anyone mention exercise yet, yes lots of it.

By now it will be clear that many concerns and obstacles around how to reverse insulin resistance are rooted in lifestyle and dietary choices. The choice is no longer how but when.