Insulin Resistance At A Glance
- Insulin resistance is a condition in which the cells of the body become resistant to the hormone, insulin.
- Insulin resistance may be part of the metabolic syndrome, and associated with the development of heart disease.
- Insulin resistance precedes the development of type 2 diabetes.
- Insulin resistance is associated with other medical conditions including fatty liver, arteriosclerosis, acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, and reproductive abnormalities in women.
- Individuals are more likely to have insulin resistance if they have any of the associated medical conditions listed above. They also are more likely to be insulin resistant if they are obese or are Latino, African-American, Native American, and Asian-American.
- While there is a genetic component, insulin resistance can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication.
What is Insulin Resistance?
During digestion the carbohydrates derived from food are converted to simple sugars and eventually to a sugar called glucose that circulates through blood stream. With the help of the hormone insulin, hungry cells absorb glucose from the blood and use it for energy.
When people become overweight, the cells in their body may become resistant (less sensitive) to insulin. This insulin resistance makes it difficult for the cells in their body to absorb glucose. Glucose stays in their blood stream and gets converted to body fat. The more weight the person gains the worse their insulin resistance becomes.
Insulin Resistance worsens over time
Insulin resistance becomes pre-diabetes and eventually type 2 diabetes which can damage the lining of blood vessels, increase the risk of heart disease and contribute to many other health risks.
Who develops Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance runs in families and certain ethnic groups ( Latino, Native America, African American and Asian) so there is a genetic component to the condition. However, it is only seen in people who are overweight or obese. The combination of genetics and excess weight makes some people more prone to insulin resistance.
How do I know if I am at risk?
Insulin resistance and diabetes risk can be determined by a blood glucose test.
Ideally, anyone 45 years of age or older should be tested for insulin resistance. It is especially important to be tested if you fall into either of the two categories described below:
Overweight and aged 45 or older
Younger than 45, overweight, and have one or more of the following risk factors:
- family history of diabetes
- low HDL (good) cholesterol and high triglycerides
- high blood pressure
- history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy) or gave birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
- minority group background (African American, American Indian, Hispanic American/Latino, or Asian American/Pacific Islander)
How is insulin resistance treated?
The best treatment for insulin resistance is weight loss and daily moderate activity such as walking for a combined total of 30 minutes. Various medication can help reduce the dangerous side effects of insulin resistance while you are losing weight.
