Repelling Insulin Resistance

Kathleen Johnson, a nutritionist at the University of Arizona Program in Integrative Medicine, estimates that as much as 50 percent of the population are genetically predisposed to insulin resistance. This condition occurs when cells in the body don’t respond normally to insulin and can lead to dangerously high levels of blood glucose.

Ms. Johnson says the best way to control insulin resistance is by getting regular exercise, reducing total carbohydrate consumption to 50 percent of daily calories or less, and by choosing foods that are lower on the glycemic index (GI) scale. She suggests eating more vegetables, beans, sweet potatoes, winter squash, and whole grains. Foods ranked above 60 on the GI scale are all considered “high” glycemic index foods that can trigger insulin resistance.