Insulin Resistance
Here’s How to Know If You Are Insulin Resistant
Insulin, a hormone that the pancreas makes, allows cells to absorb and use glucose. In people with insulin resistance, the cells are unable to use insulin effectively.When the cells cannot absorb glucose, levels of this sugar build up in the blood. If glucose, or blood sugar, levels are higher than usual but not high enough to indicate diabetes, doctors refer to this as prediabetes.
Prediabetes often occurs in people with high insulin resistance. Around 1 in 3 in the United States have prediabetes, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here we will look at insulin resistance, explain its role as a risk factor for diabetes, and how The Balanced Diet could help you manage this.[1]
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance occurs when excess glucose in the blood reduces the ability of the cells to absorb and use blood sugar for energy. This increases the risk of developing prediabetes, and eventually, type 2 diabetes.If the pancreas can make enough insulin to overcome the low rate of absorption, diabetes is less likely to develop, and blood glucose will stay within a healthy range.[2]
How Does Insulin Resistance Become Diabetes?
In a people with prediabetes, the pancreas works increasingly hard to release enough insulin to overcome the body’s resistance and keep blood sugar levels down.Over time, the pancreas’ ability to release insulin begins to decrease, which leads to the development of type 2 diabetes.Insulin resistance remains a major feature of type 2 diabetes.
When your body begins ignoring signals from the hormone insulin to process the glucose in your blood, you have insulin resistance. This can result in blood sugar (glucose) levels that are too high, and over time, can lead to prediabetes (and eventually type 2 diabetes). Insulin resistance can also increase your risk of heart disease and other conditions, which is why I always recommend that clients manage it as early as possible.[3]
I always advise my clients that the most common symptom of insulin resistance is no symptom at all. You can develop it without any obvious outward signs. But if you would like to talk about your unique case, don’t hesitate to CONTACT me to schedule a FREE 20-minute phone consultation. That said, here are potential signs of insulin resistance.
• Abdominal obesity
Obesity, especially too much fat in the abdomen and around the organs is one of the main causes of insulin resistance, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Abdominal fat, or fat around your waistline, has a more negative effect on your metabolism than fat that accumulates in other areas of the body. Abdominal fat increases your risk for type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and heart disease. Therefore, measuring your waistline is important–with a goal of fewer than 35 inches for women and 40 inches for men.
For people at high risk for type 2 diabetes, losing just five to seven percent of your starting weight can help reduce your chance of developing the condition. And The Balanced Diet can help you learn to avoid the worst habits that cause belly fat.[4]
• Elevated blood sugar
An elevated blood sugar level is a key sign of insulin resistance. High blood sugar—hyperglycemia– cantranslate to excessive thirst, lethargy, frequent urination, and more serious symptoms if left unchecked, according to the American Diabetes Association. Blood sugar is considered too high if it’s more than 180 mg/dL or any reading above your target range; a blood sugar reading of 300 mg/dL or more can be dangerous, according to Michigan Medicine. If your blood sugar is elevated, you won’t necessarily know it. (Only at higher levels will it cause obvious symptoms.) A blood test at the doctor’s office can determine if your blood sugar is elevated.
Anyone with insulin resistance will need to monitor their blood sugar, maintain a healthy eating pattern, and use exercise to keep their blood glucose levels in a healthy range.[5]The Balanced Diet could also help address the root cause of insulin resistance. If you would like to learn more about this, don’t hesitate to CONTACT me for more support.
• Dark Skin Patches
High levels of insulin in the blood can sometimes trigger the appearance of dark, velvety patches on the body, which is a skin condition known as acanthosis nigricans. The patches are typically found in body folds, such as the neck, groin, and under the arms. These patches start to appear when normal skin cells reproduce rapidly. If you have dark skin, the cells will have more melanin and manifest as a darker patch compared to the rest of the surrounding skin. [6]Sometimes these patches are not related to any medical condition, soI’ll recommend that you CONTACT me to help you find the root cause of your skin patches.
• Large Pores and Acne
Sebum, the oil that lubricates the skin, is overproduced in those who have insulin resistance. A diet rich in carbohydrates may promote the overproduction of sebum, causing acne, according to a 2016 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. The Balanced Diet recommends eating more fresh vegetables and lean meats which may help combat this and reduce your risk of insulin resistance.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are also more likely to be insulin resistant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition is characterized by having high levels of male hormones, and an increased risk for irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, obesity, ovarian cysts, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. If a woman with PCOS has high insulin levels, this can cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone. This can lead to some women exhibiting symptoms of excess androgens, such as dark hairs on the face and belly.[7]
• Hair Loss in Women
In addition to fat storage and regulating sugar levels, insulin helps regulates hair growth. Women who are insulin resistant may be at greater risk of female pattern baldness, suggests a 2015 study published in the Australasian Journal of Dermatology. Women who lose more than the typical amount of hair per day, estimated at about 250 strands, should be checked for insulin resistance as this may be the cause.
• Swollen Ankles
If you’re noticing swelling in your ankles or other parts of your body it can be one of the symptoms of insulin resistance. Swelling tends to be indicative of insulin resistance, as insulin tells the kidneys when to hold on to sodium and water. When fluid is retained unnecessarily, swelling and bloating can result.
• Carbohydrate Cravings
Unstable blood sugar levels can lead to sugar and carbohydrate cravings. This is because the body is unable to regulate blood sugar levels properly, and therefore, it leaves body cells unable to absorb the available glucose. Therefore, the cells are left “starved” and signal that they need more carbohydrates to convert to energy. However, the cells’ inability to absorb blood sugar can lead levels to remain high in the bloodstream.[8] But if you struggle with this, I’ll recommend you CONTACT me for a more personal support.
Summary
Unlike other insulin-related conditions, insulin resistance can improve with lifestyle changes like getting plenty of physical activity and losing weight, if necessary. Management of insulin resistance is through lifestyle changes (such as diet, exercise, and disease prevention) and medications. Weight loss may help reverse insulin resistance along with taking small steps, such as exercising and eating healthier foods. It also can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with prediabetes.Eat healthy, balanced meals; take medications, such as metformin if prescribed; and get plenty of sleep. Are you conscious of type 2 diabetes symptoms that you might be missing? CONTACT me to schedule a FREE 20-minute phone consultation where we can discuss your unique needs.
Take The Next Step and Schedule Today
Are you tired of masking your symptoms with harsh medications and want to get to the root cause of insulin resistance? You could take charge of your health today with a FREE 20-minute phone consultation. We will identify the key areas that need support and give necessary support to show what needs to be done uniquely for your case. Please CONTACT me to schedule a FREE 20-minute phone consultation if you or your loved ones are seeking relief from insulin resistance.
I will give you the best care and recommendations based on what’s happening inside your body on a cellular level, in a bid to achieve optimum results. Be rest assured that no stone will be left unturned as I look for the root cause!
References:
[1] Accessed from:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1204764/ [2] Accessed from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29397563/ [3] Accessed from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10764845/ [4] Accessed from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17167471/ [5] Accessed from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32249934/ [6]Accessed from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29196782/ [7] Accessed from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30553010/ [8] ] Accessed from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11681812/
