Wondering what your sugar cravings are trying to tell you about your health? Most people I know do reach for a dessert after dinner. And they say that it’s an innocent habit. What about you? Can you actually stop yourself and skip dessert for a day? What about a week? Below, is an overview of why you keep on craving that chocolate more and more as you grow older. And why this is an important part of keeping your body at optimal weight and fat levels as you age.
What is Insulin Resistance and why is it Important?
What we call insulin resistance is rising as we age. It can be described as the body’s inability to cope with carbohydrate consumption. Carbohydrates were only introduced into our diets 15,000-20,000 years ago, with the start of agriculture. Before that, humans were only consuming protein and fat from animals they were hunting down, with an occasional, seasonal berry consumption. And that’s it! No crops, no starch, no bread and pasta, or tons of processed foods with a 2 year shelf life, conveniently stored at room temperature.
Over the last century or so, we’ve seen the massive switch from nutrient-dense, natural foods (that usually are stored in the fridge), to ultra-processed, empty-calorie snacks, usually filled with more carbs than our body can handle. This is one of the major reasons we have seen a dramatic rise in diseases like diabetes, neurodegeneration, cancer and cardiovascular disease, pretty much everywhere in the world.
Sugar is found in most foods. Eating something high in sugar causes a spike in insulin, reducing the sugar level afterwards. Blood sugar level needs to be kept constant in the body, and otherwise, it will not function well. Diabetes occurs when there is a problem in insulin production. According to research by the WHO, in 2019, diabetes caused 1.5 million deaths worldwide. Even if you don’t suffer from diabetes, as we age, our body's sensitivity to insulin decreases, making it less effective. Luckily, together with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle, supplements like Berberine and NMN can help in maintaining the body’s sensitivity to insulin. Not only that, but they can help you age slower, and have more energy during your day, avoiding the afternoon nap and kissing your brain fog goodbye. Sounds too good to be true?
Take the Quiz below to find out what is the best supplement for you to take!