What is insulin and why is it so important to manage? Insulin is one of the body’s main anabolic hormones and it’s responsible for the metabolism of all your macro-nutrients, like your carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. The problem is when insulin gets dysregulated or people spike their blood sugar too much throughout the day or throughout their life, and that takes a huge toll on the body. It can manifest itself in a lot of undesired body composition issues like body fat storage.
Charles Poliquin’s Biosignature Modulation teaches that excess or dysregulated insulin levels cause body fat storage to show up. Love handles are a distinctive example of this.
Here are three tips to better manage your insulin levels.
#1: Diet
A paleo diet, or a diet that’s a lower in bad carbohydrates will help to maintain a stable blood glucose level. Bad carbs like white bread, cookies, and sugary drinks cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly, which results in an elevated insulin response.
The carbohydrates that you eat should come from vegetables, fruits, and easy to digest starches like potatoes, sweet potatoes, rice, and legumes. This will also result in lower incidences of G.I. distress.
#2: Walk it Off
Go for a ten-minute walk after eating a meal. Research shows that a 10 minute walk after a meal will bring your blood glucose levels lower than even a dose of metformin (a drug used to lower blood sugar).
Almost everybody can walk, so this is an easy one that is guaranteed to improve your health, your fitness, and it’s going to improve your blood sugar levels.
#3: Sleep
If you’ve watched any of our videos or read our blog, then you’ve probably heard this one before. The benefits of a good night’s sleep cannot be overstated. Make sure that you’re getting 8 to 9 hours of sleep every single night.
Sleep is the gateway to good health, and believe it or not, it also contributes to well insulin regulation. We’ve said it before, and we will say it again: Sleep is really the foundation of a healthy, fit lifestyle.
In conclusion, One: eat a paleo diet, or at the very least, a diet low in simple carbohydrates (often referred to as “bad carbs”). Focus on good, or complex carbohydrates, like those found in whole grains and vegetables. Two: Walk it off. A 10 minute walk after a meal is a powerful tool for managing blood glucose, and Three: Make sure you’re getting adequate sleep. It’s the foundation to good health, and a long life.
For more information, click here to get our FREE Insulin Protocol Guide.