Severe insulin resistance

What is insulin resistance?

Severe insulin resistance can have many causes. It most frequently arises in the context of metabolic syndrome and is manifested by high to very high insulin requirements. Metabolic syndrome groups together a number of conditions that are also known under the term 'diseases of affluence'. Individually, these include hypertension, obesity and disordered blood sugar and fat metabolism. In cases of severe insulin resistance, the blood sugar can often only be insufficiently controlled even with large amounts of insulin (sometimes more than 100 IU per day).

What treatment approaches do we offer?

For the acute treatment of severe insulin resistance, the implementation of what we call oat days has proven successful in our department for many years. As a rule, an oatmeal diet is offered for two (to three) days with the three meals, and is refined with spices and raw vegetables. On treatment, the insulin dose can be reduced by 30-50% in most cases. In the majority of patients, this insulin-saving effect lasts for several weeks.

Structured fasting therapy according to Buchinger is also successfully used in Havelhöhe in cases of severe insulin resistance. This is accompanied by relaxation procedures, art and movement therapy as well as nursing applications from anthroposophic medicine. This often results in impressive reductions in insulin requirements.

Over time, insulin resistance can be improved in the long term by optimising the diet and increasing exercise. Treatments from anthroposophic medicine, especially movement and art therapy, but also diabetes coaching, can help to increase this self-effectiveness.