3 Easy Ways to Balance Insulin Levels and Improve Your Health
Are your insulin levels negatively impacting your hormones? Insulin resistance can lead to physical and mental health problems such as weight gain, mood swings, and brain fog. But there are natural ways to balance your insulin levels and keep your hormones in check.
What is Insulin?
Insulin plays a major role in your metabolism. It turns carbohydrates into glucose and sugar, which are released into the bloodstream and help the cells of your body turn glucose into energy.
If your insulin levels are healthy, the more you eat, the more insulin your body releases to regulate your blood sugar. However, if your body has to create too much insulin due to excess sugars and carbohydrates, it can become insulin resistant.
When insulin isn’t doing its job, there are many health effects including:
- Weight gain
- Low energy levels
- Mood swings
- Brain fog
- Food cravings
- Sleep issues
- Hot flashes and night sweats
However, there are ways to keep your insulin levels stable so your hormones are in check. You can naturally avoid the weight gain and negative cognitive effects of insulin imbalance.
Eat a Blood Sugar Balanced Diet
Balance your blood sugar naturally by making sure you’re getting enough carbohydrates and sugars. These should be healthy carbohydrates and sugars whenever possible. Along with eating a healthy amount of carbohydrates, some foods can lower insulin resistance, such as berberine and cinnamon.
Berberine
Berberine is a citrusy, sweet spice you can add to a variety of dishes for extra flavor. Along with tasting great, it can also balance insulin levels. The herb has been used for thousands of years in China to help lower insulin resistance. Recent studies have shown it can even be effective in balancing insulin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Cinnamon
Similar to berberine, cinnamon has been found to reduce insulin tolerance. Cinnamon lowers blood sugar levels and can be used by those with type 2 diabetics to better manage their insulin levels.
Exercise
Along with dietary changes, regular exercise can help the body process insulin better. Exercise means muscles need to take in more glucose for energy. Working out also makes cells more responsive to insulin.
Stay Hydrated
One of the many benefits of staying hydrated is that it helps kidneys remove extra sugar in the form of urine. It’s recommended to drink half your body weight a day so your kidneys can process more sugar and regulate insulin levels in the body.
Maintaining a healthy diet, drinking enough water, and regular exercise can have a positive impact on balancing insulin levels. If you’re pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes, it’s best to consult with a physician before enacting any medical or lifestyle treatments to reduce insulin resistance.
