Type 2 diabetics are often insulin resistant. They have plenty of insulin circulating in their blood, but their tissues have become unable to use it properly. Giving them more insulin drives sugar into their cells, so it does reduce blood sugar levels, but in the process it also makes people fatter, says Roger Unger, Ph.D., professor of internal medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Unger has been studying diabetes for over 50 years, and believes the increase in diabetes is directly related to the changes in eating habits that occurred after World War II, when home cooking was replaced by high fat, calorie-dense factory-produced foods.
Diabetics who lack insulin are properly treated with the hormone, but those who have plenty of insulin but have cells that are resistant to it because they’re filled with fatty molecules need to get rid of the fat, Dr. Unger says. That means cutting calories and exercising more.
A recent study had to be stopped when 250 diabetics died while getting aggressive insulin therapy to bring their blood sugar levels down. Researchers think that the high levels of insulin, while lowering blood sugar, were also driving fat into tissues and causing organ damage.
Note: If you are a type 2 diabetic, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian about improving your diet and exercising. It's important not to change insulin therapy without supervision and many who are on insulin may not be able to do without it. Others can reduce or eliminate insulin, with supervision, during lifestyle changes. For those who are insulin resistant, but not yet on medication (borderline diabetics), know that improving your diet and exercising regularly can positively impact your health and prevent the need for insulin!
The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly may not only be an alternative to insulin therapy for type 2 diabetics, but should be considered a mandatory lifestyle change for all diabetics. Getting rid of fat in the body is key to avoiding complications like heart disease, stroke, blindness and kidney disease.
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