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Natural ways to reverse insulin resistance: Understanding the role of GLP-1


GLP-1 has been in the spotlight a lot the last few years due to the role it plays in regulating blood sugar levels and appetite, which by extension affects weight management.

This multipurpose hormone doesn’t stop there, though. It also helps prevent insulin resistance, a common metabolic condition that is often a precursor to conditions like heart disease and diabetes.


What is GLP-1?


Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone produced in the intestines in response to food intake. Its primary role is to regulate glucose metabolism. This includes managing blood sugar, regulating appetite, and supporting overall metabolic health.


What is insulin resistance?


Insulin is another hormone that regulates blood sugar. When blood sugar levels are high, insulin will rise as well. If blood sugar levels are poorly regulated and persistently elevated over a long period of time, this can lead to insulin resistance, which is when cells stop responding to insulin the way they should.


When insulin resistance occurs, the pancreas produces more insulin to achieve the same effect on blood sugar, which means there will be more insulin (and glucose) in the blood. More glucose in the blood means more metabolic issues that can affect your weight, heart, energy levels, and more.


How GLP-1 supports insulin sensitivity


Insulin resistance is fairly common, but it’s better to avoid it if you can. As one of the key satiety hormones our bodies produce, GLP-1 helps keep your insulin levels in check in several ways:


  • Enhances insulin secretion, which helps lower blood sugar

  • Suppresses glucagon release to ensure glucose production aligns with insulin secretion

  • Signals to the brain when you’re full, which helps prevent overeating


GLP-1’s impact on appetite is where we notice it the most, but it can affect energy levels and other areas too. A healthy amount goes a long way in supporting overall metabolic health.


What you can do to support natural GLP-1 production


There are lots of ways to naturally increase the GLP-1 your body produces, most of which come down to the foods you eat. Before you do anything else, make sure you getting plenty of these key nutrients:


  • Fiber

  • Healthy fats

  • Protein


While they won’t have as much of an impact as the foods you eat, other lifestyle adjustments can still help natural GLP-1 production:


  • Sleep at least 7 hours a night

  • Get at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week

  • Manage stress


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