We like to cast insulin as one of the villains in our battle for good health. But in reality, insulin is a hero and benefits our health in important ways. A hormone created in the pancreas, insulin helps control blood sugar and directs efficient energy use. Instead of inhibiting your health, it is essential for survival.
Insulin gets a bad reputation because of a human tendency to become resistant to it, causing the pancreas to produce more and more. When this happens, we can get stuck in carb-burning mode and never shift into fat-burning, making it nearly impossible to burn or lose weight.
When we are insulin resistant, we can become easily fatigued and constantly hungry.
So what steps can you take to support healthy insulin levels?
Here are four simple, science-backed ways:
Eat more fiber
Ideally, fiber would always come coupled with carbohydrates, but the food industry too often strips the fiber to create a simpler, less filling food. Look for whole, unprocessed foods, or, for an easy option, add in Balance or LiFiber to your daily routine.
Drink Unimate
Made from nutrient-rich yerba mate, Unimate is a convenient and delicious way to help boost your mood and energy while supporting healthy glucose levels.
Move after eating
Actively moving after eating can improve digestion and lower your blood sugar. Even if you only have 10-15 minutes, go for a walk or move around while doing the dishes.
Intermittent fasting
Fasting between meals is more effective in lowering blood sugar levels than counting calories. Intermittent fasting is an easy way to promote healthy blood sugar levels and help your body burn fat for fuel. Learn more about intermittent fasting.