Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a hormone that controls your blood sugar levels. If you have insulin resistance your body does not respond appropriately to the insulin produced. Insulin resistance typically develops with obesity & is a contributing factor to increased obesity. It is as if insulin is "knocking" on the door of your cells. In a normal situation - the cells hear the knock, open up & let in the glucose. With insulin resistance the cells cannot hear the knock of the insulin (the cells are "resistant"). When cells do not allow the glucose in - blood sugar becomes elevated causing the pancreas to make more insulin. This causes a louder "knock." Eventually the pancreas produces far more insulin than normal & the cells continue to resist the knock. As long enough insulin can be produced to overcome the resistance - blood glucose levels remain normal. Once the pancreas is no longer able to keep up production of insulin - blood glucose starts to rise. This rise results in Type 2 diabetes. You can prevent or stop diabetes it in its tracks by managing your diet, being physically active, losing extra pounds. In some cases medications are needed to manage diabetes.
Here is an excerpt from the American Academy of Family Physicians discussing Insulin Resistance syndrome:
"Insulin stimulates glucose to enter into tissue, and its ability to do so varies greatly among individuals. In insulin resistance, tissues have a diminished ability to respond to the action of insulin. To compensate, the pancreas secretes more insulin. Insulin resistance can be linked to diabetes, hypertension, abnormal cholesterol, cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes) and other abnormalities. These abnormalities constitute the insulin resistance syndrome. Because insulin resistance usually develops long before these diseases appear, identifying and treating insulin-resistant patients has potentially great preventive value.
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders, and heart disease are common in most Western societies and are collectively responsible for an enormous burden of suffering. Many people have more that one and sometimes all of these conditions, leading to the theory that the coexistence of these diseases is not a coincidence, but that a common underlying abnormality allows them to develop. In 1988 it was suggested that the defect was related to insulin, and the insulin resistance syndrome was first described. It is estimated that this syndrome affects 70-80 million Americans." American Family Physician-March 2001
When to Suspect Insulin Resistance:
There is no simple and practical test that can detect insulin resistance.
Physicians use following list to know when to suspect insulin resistance.
Studies have shown that treating insulin resistance results in weight loss or losing weight improves insulin resistance.
Metformin has been the most frequently used drug in the treatment of diabetes. Metformin has been used in the United States since the 1990's & in Europe since the 1950's. for the treatment if diabetes & insulin resistance. The most practical test to see if Metformin would be beneficial is by a 4-8 week trial & response observance. The desired response is reduction in hunger & cravings (especially sweet cravings), & fewer energy dips daily. You may notice some nausea & diarrhea when you start taking Metformin. These symptoms generally pass in a few days.
The side effects of Metformin can be serious if you do not follow some important rules:
1. Take Metformin with a Meal
2. Take Metformin with at least 8 ounces of Water & Stay Hydrated - 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water daily is best
(Metformin - like many drugs can accumulate in your body. If you are dehydrated, this can result in a life threatening condition called lactic acidosis)
3. Stop Metformin if you are having an X-ray that requires scans with Contrast or IV Dye - dye used in some x-rays can compromise your kidneys - Metformin depends on healthy kidneys to filter it out of the body.
Insulin is a hormone that controls your blood sugar levels. If you have insulin resistance your body does not respond appropriately to the insulin produced. Insulin resistance typically develops with obesity & is a contributing factor to increased obesity. It is as if insulin is "knocking" on the door of your cells. In a normal situation - the cells hear the knock, open up & let in the glucose. With insulin resistance the cells cannot hear the knock of the insulin (the cells are "resistant"). When cells do not allow the glucose in - blood sugar becomes elevated causing the pancreas to make more insulin. This causes a louder "knock." Eventually the pancreas produces far more insulin than normal & the cells continue to resist the knock. As long enough insulin can be produced to overcome the resistance - blood glucose levels remain normal. Once the pancreas is no longer able to keep up production of insulin - blood glucose starts to rise. This rise results in Type 2 diabetes. You can prevent or stop diabetes it in its tracks by managing your diet, being physically active, losing extra pounds. In some cases medications are needed to manage diabetes.
Here is an excerpt from the American Academy of Family Physicians discussing Insulin Resistance syndrome:
"Insulin stimulates glucose to enter into tissue, and its ability to do so varies greatly among individuals. In insulin resistance, tissues have a diminished ability to respond to the action of insulin. To compensate, the pancreas secretes more insulin. Insulin resistance can be linked to diabetes, hypertension, abnormal cholesterol, cardiovascular disease (heart attacks and strokes) and other abnormalities. These abnormalities constitute the insulin resistance syndrome. Because insulin resistance usually develops long before these diseases appear, identifying and treating insulin-resistant patients has potentially great preventive value.
Obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, lipid disorders, and heart disease are common in most Western societies and are collectively responsible for an enormous burden of suffering. Many people have more that one and sometimes all of these conditions, leading to the theory that the coexistence of these diseases is not a coincidence, but that a common underlying abnormality allows them to develop. In 1988 it was suggested that the defect was related to insulin, and the insulin resistance syndrome was first described. It is estimated that this syndrome affects 70-80 million Americans." American Family Physician-March 2001
When to Suspect Insulin Resistance:
There is no simple and practical test that can detect insulin resistance.
Physicians use following list to know when to suspect insulin resistance.
- Family History of Insulin Resistance
- High Cholesterol Levels
- Hypertension - (50% of patients with hypertension have insulin resistance)
- Intense Carbohydrate Cravings, Sweet Tooth, or “highs & lows” After Too Many Carbs
- History of Gestational Diabetes or Babies Weighing More than 9 lbs.
- Weight Gain Starting or Worsening Post-Pregnancy
- Poly-Cystic Ovary Syndrome
- Obesity- There is a strong relationship between abdominal obesity (excess weight carried primarily in the belly) & the degree of insulin resistance independent of total body weight.
- New Onset of Obesity or Worsening Obesity in Midlife - “I never had a weight problem till I hit 40” or “I didn’t use to have to work near this hard to lose weight" or "I never use to have this big belly"
- A Change in Where Your Body Hold Fat - “I never use to have such a thick waist.”
- Insulin Resistance is Suspected With a Mismatch of Great Eating or Exercise Habits & Little to No Weight Loss
Studies have shown that treating insulin resistance results in weight loss or losing weight improves insulin resistance.
Metformin has been the most frequently used drug in the treatment of diabetes. Metformin has been used in the United States since the 1990's & in Europe since the 1950's. for the treatment if diabetes & insulin resistance. The most practical test to see if Metformin would be beneficial is by a 4-8 week trial & response observance. The desired response is reduction in hunger & cravings (especially sweet cravings), & fewer energy dips daily. You may notice some nausea & diarrhea when you start taking Metformin. These symptoms generally pass in a few days.
The side effects of Metformin can be serious if you do not follow some important rules:
1. Take Metformin with a Meal
2. Take Metformin with at least 8 ounces of Water & Stay Hydrated - 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water daily is best
(Metformin - like many drugs can accumulate in your body. If you are dehydrated, this can result in a life threatening condition called lactic acidosis)
3. Stop Metformin if you are having an X-ray that requires scans with Contrast or IV Dye - dye used in some x-rays can compromise your kidneys - Metformin depends on healthy kidneys to filter it out of the body.