Metabolic syndrome is one of the main causes for lifestyle ailments. Modern medicine suggests that metabolic syndrome is due to sedentary lifestyle and we need to constantly move and exercise to be in shape. The real problem begins when due to some reasons we are not able to exercise enough or despite sufficient exercise we cannot lose weight.
The only way to fight and reverse metabolic syndrome is to follow the correct diet.
What is metabolic syndrome?
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in America describes five conditions which increase the risk of life threatening heart diseases.
- High blood pressure
- High blood sugar
- Low HDL cholesterol which is the good cholesterol
- High blood triglycerides
- Large waistline or obesity
If you have any three or more conditions, you are diagnosed with having metabolic syndrome. This condition is very common in America with one in three adults suffering from it.
NHLB Institute lists out insulin resistance as the cause of metabolic syndrome. Excessive consumption of refined carbs and sugar leads to excessive blood glucose, far more than the body can handle. All this extra blood glucose is converted to body fat, primarily stored at the waist.
Till the time we are eating, insulin hormone is secreted by the pancreas which is a signal for the body to store fat. In the absence of insulin, fat burning begins. Frequent eating is also a contributor to insulin resistance.
Suggested remedies for reversing metabolic syndrome
- Getting sufficient rest and sleep.
- Give up smoking and drinking.
- Following an active and healthy lifestyle with lots of walking and yoga.
- Avoid unhealthy food and diet.
- Avoid frequent eating.
- Ensuring that your food contains sufficient nutrients and that your body absorbs it too.
To summarise the above points, your body needs to rest and de-stress on a regular basis. It also needs the regular supply of nutrients.
Dark chocolate and insulin sensitivity
Dark chocolate is a blend of cocoa solids and cocoa butter in a fixed proportion given on the label. So if your packet says 48% dark means that roughly half of it is cocoa plus butter and the other half is sugar. For the best results you need to go as dark as possible. 90% dark chocolate will have only 10% sugar and will taste very bitter. Chocolate is made by fermenting cocoa beans. By roasting the beans, the outer shell cracks open revealing the chocolate nibs inside which contains only cocoa solids and cocoa butter. There are around 350 different chemicals in cocoa beans. It contains large amounts of antioxidants, phytonutrients, polyphenols and flavonoids. These help with better absorption of nutrients present in your meals. The recommended dosage of dark chocolate consumption can be one to two squares of the chocolate bar.
Dark chocolate might not directly contribute to insulin resistance because it is not your main food source. However instead of the regular desserts which you have post a meal you can switch to the ones which have dar chocolate. For example, you can take a few cocoa nibs and mix them in curd or yogurt to make an excellent dessert alternative.
Dark Chocolate – the perfect stress buster
Dark chocolate contains phenylalanine which is the building block to create dopamine which we all know creates the effect of pleasure. Phenylalanine also makes endorphins which are the stress busters when you get anxious or your self esteem needs a boost. Another ingredient in dark chocolate is tryptophan which is one of the essential amino acids used in creating serotonin. This neurotransmitter like dopamine helps regulate anxiety and keep us calm.
All these chemicals help reduce stress and elevate your mood. Reducing stress helps with insulin sensitivity and weight management too. Among the minerals, it has significant amount of copper, iron and magnesium. These essential minerals helps with lowering stress, improving the immune system and blood oxygenation.
Zinglife is with you in your journey towards healthy lifestyle. Tackling insulin resistance forms the main focus of our effort. Instead of medicines and exercise we aim our efforts towards eating the right food.