Diabetes! It's a very real chronic condition that messes with your body's insulin production or usage, causing those sugar levels to go haywire. And that’s very bad news for your nerves and blood vessels.
77 million adults battling type 2 diabetes In India
Now, let's shift our focus to India, where we're looking at a mind-boggling number of 77 million adults battling type 2 diabetes. And that's not all, there are an additional 25 million folks who are just teetering on the edge with prediabetes. But here's the kicker: more than half of these poor souls have no clue they're in the diabetes danger zone.
That's a recipe for disaster in itself, as they're at serious risk of heart attacks, strokes, nerve damage, foot ulcers, infections, going blind (yep, retinopathy), and having all sorts of kidney problems.
But hey, there's a way to handle diabetes, and it involves getting your insulin sensitivity game on point. It's all about embracing a healthy lifestyle, you know? Catch enough Zzzs, get that body moving with some regular exercise, keep those stress levels in check, watch your weight, load up on fiber-rich fruits and veggies, make wise choices when it comes to carbs by opting for low-glycemic goodies, and for the love of all things sweet, cut back on the sugary treats.
NMN might be the key to improving insulin sensitivity
Alright, now it's time to dive into the fascinating world of NMN (Nicotinamide mononucleotide). NMN is like the primary building block for our DNA, the backbone of our body's operations. Once it sneaks its way into our cells, it transforms into a superhero called Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD). This NAD character pulls off some seriously vital tasks like repairing DNA, managing gene expression, handling stress, and producing energy like a champ.
Here's where it gets juicy: NMN might just be the key to improving insulin sensitivity. A recent study on ladies with prediabetes and some extra pounds showed some fantastic results from NMN supplementation. It revved up their metabolism, made them more sensitive to insulin, and put them on the right track to better health.
How?
Well, NMN gets those NAD levels up, giving insulin the power boost it needs to handle that pesky glucose and improve insulin sensitivity.
While studies on animals have shown some promising signs of NMN, we can't jump the gun just yet. We still need those human clinical trials to get the real scoop.
One animal study on diabetes showed that NMN didn't have a significant impact on glucose tolerance, insulin levels, or insulin resistance. However, it did hint at some potential protection against diabetic neuropathy, which is nerve damage that often tags along with diabetes. These animal studies give us a general idea of the safety and effectiveness of NMN, but we need more research on real-life humans to unlock its true potential for people with diabetes.