Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (281 page)

Take glucomannan fiber. Research has shown that glucomannan from konjac can stabilize blood sugar in those with insulin resistance.

EXTRA TIPS

Eat regularly spaced small meals and snacks. Large meals are always going to provoke a rise in blood glucose and insulin levels. Have six small meals and snacks
a day rather than the traditional three. Remember, this does not necessarily mean you eat more over the day, but that you eat smaller meals plus snacks.

If you are overweight, take dietary and lifestyle steps to lose weight. Being overweight puts you at increased risk of all the other risk factors associated with the syndrome.

If you smoke, stop. Nicotine indirectly raises blood-sugar levels.

Exercise daily. Exercise improves the cells’ response to insulin, meaning less is produced. It also helps to normalize appetite and reduce cravings.

Get outside in daylight every day. Vitamin D is manufactured in the skin in response to sunlight. Vitamin D has been shown to improve the cellular response to insulin by 60 percent. Supplements may need to be taken in the winter months.

MIGRAINE

Migraines are severe headaches that are often preceded or accompanied by flashing lights, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. Some people also suffer from strange tastes and smells. Sufferers tend to get them periodically. They can last from an hour to several days and can be severely debilitating. Migraines are thought to be linked to a constriction of blood vessels in the brain. The constriction may be followed by dilation of the blood vessels in which they fill with blood.

CAUSES MAY INCLUDE

Stress.

Liver imbalance.

Lack of sleep.

Food intolerances.

Poor posture or previous neck injury.

Blood-sugar imbalances.