Insulin resistance is a medical condition in which there is resistance to the hormone insulin leading to increasing blood sugar.
Have you been trying to lose weight and it just seems like you can never get the weight off. Have you been gradually packing the pounds on no matter what you try. Wait... Insulin Resistance could be the cause
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to help transport blood glucose into cells to be used for energy or storage. Insulin helps to regulate blood glucose among other things therefore
What is insulin resistance?
When there is insulin resistance, the body cells don't respond to insulin making it impossible for glucose to get into the cells. This leads to higher levels of insulin and build up of glucose in the blood and can eventually cause Type II Diabetes.
In a nutshell, Insulin resistance increases the risk for progressing to diabetes. People could be insulin resistant for years without knowing because there is usually no typical noticeable symptoms.
Also Research has shown insulin Resistance to be more common in the United States than we think.
Signs and Symptoms of Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance typically has no symptoms but some signs include
- Obesity
- Irregular menstruation
- Amenorrhea ( absence of menstruation )
- Hirsutism ( excessive hair growth in unwanted areas )
- PCOS ( PolyCystic Ovary Syndrome )
Some of the likely causes of insulin resistance include
- Overeating
- Increased abdominal fat
- Lack of exercise
- Smoking
- Sugar
How is insulin resistance treated?
Insulin resistance has no cure but it can be reversed. This means that with insulin resistance, the sufferer can remain symptom free for as long as he/she complies was the WOE ( Way Of Eating )
Insulin Resistance is managed by some lifestyle changes like
- Exercise: Regular Exercise of at least 3-5 times a week will improve your health, lead to weight loss which may eventually reverse insulin resistance. Also Losing belly fat can help with insulin resistance and the greatest belly fat attacker is the Low Carb Diet.
- Low carb diet: A low carb diet will greatly improve symptoms or signs of insulin resistance because it nips the problem in the bud ( sugar )
- Intermittent fasting ( IF ): This is an eating pattern or protocol where there is a period of fasting. That period of fasting helps improve insulin resistance by reducing the frequency of which the pancreas is signaled to release insulin because of the presence of glucose in the blood.
- Quit Smoking. If you have insulin resistance and you are also a smoker, please this is the time to Stop smoking. It won't be easy but you can start by joining a support group, reducing the number of cigarettes you take a day then move on to using nicotine patches and eventually being smoke free.
- Kick Sugar out of your diet. Reduce intake of sugar. Especially sugar found in beverages instead make a habit of drinking water.
Why is a low carb diet recommended in Insulin Resistance?
When we eat carbohydrates,
-Normal scenario
Carb intake ➡️ increased blood sugar ➡️ Pancreas produces insulin ➡️ insulin mops up blood sugar and sends them into body cells for energy or storage ➡️ blood sugar normalizes
-Insulin Resistance
Carb intake ➡️ Increased blood sugar ➡️ Pancreas produces insulin ➡️ Cells don't respond to the insulin ➡️ Blood sugar continues to rise ➡️ More insulin is produced and the cycle continues eventually there will be too high insulin and high glucose in the blood. As this goes on, the pancreas becomes week may eventually stop producing insulin.
When insulin production halts what do you think happens, the blood glucose skyrockets and this is when type 2 diabetes sets in.
A lifestyle change is generally recommended for management of insulin resistance. I would love to here's your thoughts. Please comment below.
To a healthy lifestyle
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PPS: Need support on your low carb journey? You don't have to do it alone.
Added sugar just has no benefits at all, except for tasting good. I wish we could really get rid of it and use honey, fruits, or other natural products.
Thanks for educating on this topic, Insulin resistance and how to combat this. No wonder I see why some people dont eat that much but still gain a lot of weight.
Exactly. You are welcome. Thanks for stopping by.
I think I may have missed how you are diagnosed being insulin resistant? Is this something that I should have tested with my doctor through a bloodtest? This may be something important to at least check off for any cause of weight gain! I've never heard of this!
It's always good to limit sugar and try to live a healthy lifestyle in general. I try to cook good meals and encourage the kiddos to eat healthy snacks.
Yes helping the kids to make healthy choices is always a good start. Their generation is laden with sugar. Thanks
This is such an interesting and informative post. Thank you so much for this information as I think that many of us really do need to be aware of insulin and the symptoms or lack there of of this condition.?? This will help so many - it has already helped me.
You are welcome Evelyn. Thanks for reading
It sounds horrible! Issues with insulin is my secret horror because I have known a person suffering from diabetes (she passed away due to consequences). I didn't know there is an opposite condition
Such an educating and eye opener post for me. A healthy choice and healthy eating is the key factor always.
This is my first time hearing about Insulin resistance. This is such a scary condition. Everyone should pay attention to this and good thing that people are giving awareness into this.
How interesting! While I was aware of diabetes, I had no idea of the insulin resistance condition! Thanky for the very informative article!
This was such an interesting post. I learned new things here as I had not heard of insulin resistance before now. It sounds pretty scary!