What is Insulin Resistance?

Having insulin resistance or another term is metabolic syndrome, is characterized by an expanding waistline which is why we have belly fat. When the cells won’t absorb the extra glucose, the liver has to convert it into fat. Fat cells are loaded with glucose receptors, so this is a vicious cycle.

So as we age and want to lose belly fat, our cells are actually "starved" for glucose, so we feel exhausted and tend to eat carbohydrate-heavy foods in search of energy which leads to carbohydrate addiction. We can call this spiking our blood sugar, and this is why we can't lose belly fat.

Whether we are overweight or thin, we can have insulin resistance. In fact, most of us are likely to be somewhat sensitive to insulin. It is just a matter of degree. The more processed and refined food that we eat, the more insulin we require to metabolize it. The more insulin in our blood, the less responsive our cells become. As we age, this continual exposure wears out our tolerance for refined carbohydrates and reduces our sensitivity to insulin.

As you reverse this underlying insulin resistance, you will discover how to lose belly fat and lose excessive weight permanently. Remember, though, this is NOT A DIET, but the development of an overall healthy diet lifestyle that simply has a side effect of permanent weight loss.

WHICH BREAKFAST WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

As a busy person, you must often eat many meals out that you might otherwise prefer to skip or prepare at home. Tomorrow you have a breakfast date. Because you are starting to pay more attention to your diet, you are determined to order the healthiest breakfast possible. Which of the following would be your best choice?

Half a bagel with a tablespoon of jam and a glass of orange juice.
Instant oatmeal and two slices of whole wheat toast with a small amount of margarine.
Raisan bran cereal with a cup of skim milk.
A mushroom, onion, and pepper omelet.
A low glycemic protein shake.

If you picked (A) you have been misled by too many ads for low-fat foods. This breakfast has little nutritive value. It is made up almost entirely of empty calories and has a high glycemic index. In other words, its main ingredient is sugar.

Choice (B) sounds good, but isn't. Processed and instant oatmeal, as well as most breads labeled "whole wheat" are actually surprisingly low in fiber, no matter what the ads on television say. And the addition of the hydrogenated fat in margarine makes this breakfast downright unhealthy -- among other problems, consuming such fats can lead to premature aging.

If you chose (C) you are once again falling into the sugar trap. Most commercial raisin bran cereals have a great deal of added sugar, which probably negates the benefit of the small amount of fiber in the bran.

The correct answer is (D & E). Despite suffering from a lot of bad publicity, eggs are very low in saturated fat and do not increase your cholesterol. Organic omega-3 eggs are particularly high in healthful fats and are an excellent source of protein and folic acid. And as you probably know, the veggies add nutrients that are important for your antioxidant and detoxification systems.

After years of abusing your insulin by consuming large amounts of high-glycemic carbohydrates day in and day out, you are most likely becoming resistant to your insulin. A calorie is no longer a calorie and your body is now switched to not functioning properly. If you don’t learn how to switch back, you simply will not be able to lose weight even with the most aggressive diets. In this state, the body is resistant to almost any weight loss program.

If you are not able to lose weight, it’s not because one day your fat burning ability disappeared or that your metabolism has declined. It’s because your glucose is now being delivered to the fat cells of your abdomen to be stored as fat rather than to your muscles to be utilized for energy. The only answer to this dilemma is a Mediterranean diet or low glycemic eating which is designed to reverse insulin resistance.

This website is dedicated to our loved ones who did not understand the importance of healthy lifestyle choices. We have the power to make a difference in the health of ourself, our families and all those we meet.
Take the challenge to become the best you can be!

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