What is Insulin Resistance?

‍

After we eat a meal, our digestive systems breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars,
called glucose. These then travel to the blood stream, making your blood glucose levels
increase. This signals the pancreas, a small organ at the back of the stomach, to release insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that maintains blood glucose homeostasis and acts like a key; attaches to
receptors in muscles, fat and liver to absorb the glucose that is in the blood via a transporter
called GLUT4.

‍

‍

‍

‍

The glucose can either be stored in the cells (as fat) or be used as energy immediately. Most
research points to insulin resistance stemming from a continuous surplus of energy. This causes
our cells to store more and more fat. Our bodies can only hold a certain amount of fat, and
once a cell reaches its capacity, an inflammatory cascade is produced and consequently
downregulates or shuts off the insulin receptors in the body. This leaves cells deprived of
energy (or glucose) and eventually a high blood sugar level.

‍

What are some of the symptoms of insulin resistance?

‍
- Feeling dizzy or very lethargic post meals
- Increasing weight gain despite a change of lifestyle (especially around the abdominal
area)
- Excessive craving of carbohydrates or sweets

‍

What are some of the signs of insulin resistance?

‍
- Darkening of the creases of your body (armpits, neck folds)
- High blood lipid levels : triglycerides >150mg/dl, HDL <40mg/dl in men and <50mg/dl in
women
- A high fasting sugar OR a low fasting sugar with inappropriately high insulin levels
- Blood pressure readings >130/80mmHg
- A waistline of >40in in men and >35in in women.

‍

How do I check for insulin resistance ?

‍
There are a few tests that can be done to check of insulin resistance
- 2 hour oral glucose tolerance test.
- Hba1c – also known as “glycated hemoglobin” or long term sugar
- HOMA index – this is a calculation that can be made from a fasting blood sugar and
fasting insulin level. This test is not diagnostic as it does not include a number post an
oral glucose load.

‍

What are the consequences of insulin resistance?

‍
Insulin resistance has been linked to many conditions including Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension,
hyperlipidemia, as well as cardiovascular disease.

‍
Top tips to manage insulin resistance

‍
- Improve quality of nutrition in the diet : optimize on carbohydrates in the diet ,
adequate protein intake, enhance healthy fats in the diet.
- Enjoy activity
- Speak to your doctor. Sometimes the use of medications that help improve insulin
resistance are used; such as metformin.

‍