Treatment GuideJust DiagnosedSex & DatingAfrican AmericanStigmaAsk the HIV DocPrEP En EspañolNewsVoicesPrint IssueVideoOut 100
CONTACTCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Have you ever looked at one of those textbooks that shows line drawings of an aging man or woman? These drawings show general body changes that are seen from birth to old age. They give you an idea of what you have to look forward to if all systems are on track. But with HIV infection (and some other chronic diseases), you might find yourself accelerating through the younger drawings toward those older ones more quickly than you prefer. While there are a lot of things you can do to stay in better shape as long as possible (like not smoking, keeping alcohol consumption below a low buzz, exercising), you can think about playing the food-groups game to keep one of the villains in check: insulin. Insulin resistance is faced by pretty much everyone at some level and at some point in life. With chronic infection, medications that can enhance or initiate the effect--as well as a lack of knowledge or initiative on your part--can accelerate and exacerbate the aging process. What magic bullet exists for this problem? As with so many things in our lives, an ounce of prevention is worth several pounds of cure. It is also worth remembering that it is difficult to reverse problems once they happen. Insulin resistance can cause a number of health problems, including increasing one's risk for cardiovascular and other diseases. One visible manifestation is the change in body fat deposits. Body fat gathering in the middle section and body fat disappearing (causing you to lose the smooth curves around your face as well as insulation around veins in your arms and legs) are both consequences and causes of this problem. So if you have those curves, think about prevention. And if you have lost some of those youthful characteristics, think of slowing down and maybe even reversing some of the effects. By looking to keep your insulin levels in control you can win twice--both in keeping your health risks in check and in continuing to look your best. The 'big guns' in controlling insulin levels are diet and exercise. Exercise can improve your body's sensitivity to insulin, helping to keep the level under control. So can diet if you plan a bit. What pushes blood sugars up is what pushes insulin up: carbohydrates. And before we go any further, you need to know that carbohydrates as a group are not such bad guys, so don't shun them altogether! But carbohydrates, like many other things in life, should be kept in balance. If carbohydrates tend to push up blood sugar and insulin, then we need to know how to counterbalance that effect. (1) Be reasonable about the carbo load you expect your body to process at any one meal. Spread your meals and carbs out across the day. If there is a time crunch or other problem that makes this difficult, talk with your dietitian to get some tips. (2) Avoid an overreacting insulin effect by balancing carbohydrates with fiber, protein, and fat, which all serve to slow carbs in their rush to enter the bloodstream. Even an ice-cold temperature in foods may help to balance how quickly carbs can enter the bloodstream. We are looking for a time-release effect. (3) Maintain a good weight. If you need to lose weight, it's a good idea to do so under the supervision of your health care professional, who can ensure that you don't unwittingly make things worse. If you need to gain weight, seek some professional advice from your dietitian on how best to do that, considering the potential for weight to lodge in all the wrong places. (4) Think about chucking other habits that increase insulin, like smoking, excessive alcohol intake, and generally being a couch potato. You probably won't know what it feels like to feel good until you adopt healthy habits. If these sound a lot like diabetic guidelines, they are! Rewire your thoughts toward a healthy lifestyle, which would benefit pretty much everyone on the planet--especially you. Fields-Gardner is the director of services for Cutting Edge, an HIV nutrition company. She is a member of the International AIDS Society and the American Dietetic Association's Dietetic Practice Group on HIV and AIDS. She has written a book on HIV medications and a guide to nutritional management of HIV for clinicians.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Before AIDS, gay artist Rex drew hot men on the prowl — then he disappeared
April 11 2024 3:15 PM
Diets that mimic fasting reverse aging: study
March 07 2024 5:28 PM
The Most Amazing HIV Allies & Advocates of 2023
November 03 2023 12:51 PM
PrEP without a prescription now a reality in California
February 06 2024 8:37 PM
This OnlyFans Star Is Trying to Raise $100K to Fight HIV
December 26 2023 3:05 PM
Injectable HIV treatment, prevention: Everything you need to know
March 26 2024 3:28 PM
The naked Black body takes center stage in this HIV campaign
January 03 2024 1:07 PM
8 dating tips for gay men from a gay therapist
March 21 2024 2:50 PM
Mr. Gay World wants to make sure you're OK
January 02 2024 4:56 PM
Plus: Featured Video
Latest Stories
The government failed on mpox. Ritchie Torres's new bill addresses that
April 18 2024 1:21 PM
On Anal Sex Day, crack up with The Bottom's Digest
April 18 2024 10:22 AM
Todrick Hall has long supported the communities he comes from
April 17 2024 12:02 PM
Our May/June issue of Plus is here!
April 17 2024 12:00 PM
Giselle Byrd is taking center stage — and helping others do the same
April 10 2024 2:24 PM
Discover endless fun at The Pride Store: Games & electronics for all ages
April 09 2024 4:25 PM
Mean Girls' Daniel Franzese on playing an HIV+ character
April 09 2024 3:57 PM
HIV-positive Air Force, Navy servicemembers victorious in lawsuit
April 09 2024 3:02 PM
Unlocking a new level of beauty with Dr Botanicals' ethical skincare line
April 08 2024 3:40 PM
Unleash your wild side with The Pride Store’s beginner’s guide to kink
April 08 2024 3:35 PM
Why are mpox cases in the U.S. on the rise again?
April 08 2024 1:30 PM
Happy national foreskin day!
April 04 2024 1:45 PM
Adult entertainment icons Derek Kage & Cody Silver lead fight for free speech
April 03 2024 3:06 PM
LGBTQ+ patients twice as likely to face discrimination: survey
April 02 2024 4:57 PM
Spring into The Pride Store’s top new arrivals for April
April 02 2024 4:39 PM
Nashville PD Must Pay HIV-Positive Man Denied a Job
April 01 2024 6:22 PM
Common has a message on how to foster self-love
March 29 2024 7:33 PM
Listen to Dr. Levine: Take syphilis seriously
March 28 2024 6:40 PM
Breaking boundaries in gender-free fashion with Stuzo Clothing
March 27 2024 2:15 PM