Written by Shania O’Brien, Daily Mail Australia
September 18, 2023 05:09, updated September 18, 2023 06:39
Health experts reveal the main physical signs that your body is heading toward type 2 diabetes and the one thing you must do to get your health back on track.
Luv Malik, a former personal trainer and health advocate, said the human body develops several markers of insulin resistance before developing diabetes.
Insulin resistance is a clinical condition in which insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels in the body, is no longer as effective as it should be.
Insulin has a huge impact on your body’s ability to burn fat and lose weight. If you have insulin resistance, it is difficult to lose weight even if you are eating a calorie-deficit diet.
To ensure that your insulin levels stay within the recommended range, you should focus your diet on reducing your intake of processed sugars and including more protein.
What are the signs that you are heading toward type 2 diabetes?
Rav, founder of The Feel great System, shared a video outlining various signs, including cracks in the back of the neck and swelling in the feet.
He revealed that his skin also started to change, with skin tags and pigmentation appearing around his neck and joints.
Another sure sign is when your belly fat is “hard” or “dense” rather than soft.
“If you feel your belly fat and it’s hard and dense, your body is in storage mode and you’re insulin resistant,” he says.
“Your legs will also start to swell as your body retains water and your blood pressure increases,” he added.
“It can make your neck thicker, making it harder to sleep and possibly leading to sleep apnea.”
The health expert also revealed that “flabby” arms are a sign of insulin resistance.
Why do people develop insulin resistance?
“Our bodies are so tightly regulated that when we eat food, our blood sugar levels rise,” Love said.
For example, a high-sugar meal like cereal can significantly increase insulin levels in the body, which takes time to return to base levels.
“You’re hungry, you’re tired, you want to eat more, and here’s the problem.
“If you’re constantly consuming large amounts of sugar, your insulin won’t go down and your body will become tolerant to sugar.”
This causes hyperinsulinemia, where the amount of insulin in the blood is higher than what is considered healthy.
“The new normal leads to illness. Physical symptoms begin to appear, but they also start to look older, crave sugar, feel extremely hungry, and have difficulty concentrating.”
One way to combat hyperinsulinemia is to adjust your intake of processed sugars and replace them with natural sugars such as fruits and vegetables.
Many thanked the Rav for sharing his knowledge.
“Wow, I didn’t know there were so many signs to look out for. I’m going to do a physical exam before I go to the doctor – thanks!” said one.
“I knew I had to worry about sudden pigmentation. Thanks for sharing,” another user added.