Insulin Resistance
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When our bodies are working efficiently, they break down food into glucose (blood sugar). That glucose enters the bloodstream, signaling to the pancreas to release insulin, which helps glucose enter the body's cells for energy. Once glucose enters the cells, levels of glucose in the bloodstream decrease, which signals for a decrease in insulin. To ensure energy is always available, the liver stores glucose for use when insulin levels are low.
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Some people may become insulin resistant when their systems are overloaded, and this can be very damaging to the body. This occurs because too much sugar enters the bloodstream, causing the pancreas to pump more insulin to get glucose into cells. Over time, the cells will stop responding to all that insulin; excess glucose will be stored as body fat in fat cells, and the pancreas will continue making insulin to try to make the cells respond. Eventually, the pancreas won't be able to keep up with increased production, setting the stage for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Unfortunately, there are usually no symptoms of insulin resistance until diabetes develops, but a combination of factors may be indicative of early warning signs:
It is important to pay attention to these tests and to consider your risk factors, other health issues that may result, and how you can prevent insulin resistance.
Healthy lifestyle offers the best chance for positive outcomes
Lifestyle changes really work. Talk with your health care provider about setting achievable goals.
