Dr. Alexandra Markova participated in the Forum ‘Food and Health’

Dr. Alexandra Markova, an endocrinologist at PENTAGRAM Medical Center, participated in the ‘Food and Health’ Forum, which was held at the Inter Expo Center – Sofia.

The event brought together some of the leading specialists in nutrition, weight gain, metabolism, and endocrinology.

Dr. Markova’s presentation “Insulin Resistance – The Hidden Epidemic of Our Time” was met with great interest by the audience, who also had the opportunity to ask questions to the endocrinologist from PENTAGRAM Medical Center.

Dr. Markova talked about the common misconceptions, which lead to the development of insulin resistance and increasingly distance women, as well as men, from the desired figure.

Among them is the consumption of foods that are supposedly healthy (such as fitness muesli, healthy bars, freshly squeezed juices, health bars without added sugar), but actually contain hidden sugars in the form of fructose syrup and others, leading to constant insulin stimulation.

She explained in detail what insulin resistance is – acondition where the cells in the body do not respond adequately to the hormone insulin and do not efficiently absorb glucose from the blood – and how this leads to overweight and numerous other health problems.

Untreated insulin resistance is a serious risk factor for the development of Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver, and others, emphasized the endocrinologist.

Among the most common symptoms, which indicate insulin resistance, are:

• Fatigue after eating
• Constant cravings for sweets
• Weight gain around the waist area (even in people who are of normal weight)
• Acne appearance
• Hair loss
• The appearance of dark patches on the skin

Dr. Markova also emphasized the ways in which, with the help of an experienced endocrinologist, a person can manage this condition. Apart from proper nutrition, great importance lies in physical activity. She recommended:

• A minimum of 150 minutes/week of moderate physical activity
• 2-3 strength training sessions per week, which have been proven to accelerate metabolism
• 10-15 minutes of walking after meals, which reduces insulin levels in the blood by 30-40%

You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Alexandra Markova from HERE or by calling 0700 91 191.