The upcoming holidays, sitting at home, and lack of physical activity with a rich table of cakes and other sweets are just more reasons to write about the topic of insulin resistance.
What exactly is insulin resistance?
The human metabolic disorder known as insulin resistance is characterized by cells' inability to respond to the action of insulin that is released into the bloodstream by pancreatic cells.
The endocrine portion of the pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that facilitates glucose (sugar) entry into cells and subsequent sugar metabolism.
When insulin resistance occurs, the situation is that the cells do not react to insulin, there is no breakdown of glucose in the blood and the patient has first elevated insulin, and soon elevated blood sugar.
All this leads to hyperinsulinemia, metabolic syndrome, and eventually diabetes. Before the appearance of elevated insulin in the blood, ie hyperinsulinemia occurs:
1. Elevated blood triglyceride levels
2. High levels of uric acid in the blood
3. Atherosclerosis of blood vessels
4. Thicknesses
5. Hypertension - high blood pressure greater than 140/90 mmHg
The sooner hyperinsulinemia is diagnosed and all measures are taken to reduce the amount of insulin in the blood and normalize the secretion of insulin from the pancreas, it can prevent the development of diabetes.
The moment when only the value of insulin in the blood is elevated, and the value of blood sugar is still at normal values, is the moment when it is necessary to react because in this way diabetes can be prevented.
what is insulin resistance?
What are the causes of insulin resistance?
It is not known the exact cause of insulin resistance. Numerous studies have been done so far, and it can be said that there are many different factors that, alone and in combination, can lead to the development of insulin resistance.
The hereditary factor is very important and increases the risk of developing insulin resistance and diabetes or hypertension and metabolic syndrome. In addition to hereditary factors, others can often cause insulin resistance. I will list just a few of them:
1. Weight gain, with the observation that abdominal weight gain is one of the typical indicators of insulin resistance. Adipose tissue visceral accumulation in the abdomen and triglyceride accumulation in non-adipose tissue.
Particularly muscle and liver, both contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Because a lot of research is going on, it is thought that obesity is linked to nearly 600 genes.
2. A diet rich in carbohydrates, especially simple sugars, ie sweets, cakes, drinks, and pies, leads to the development of insulin resistance.
3. Sedentary lifestyle, ie reduced physical activity. Men with less fitness were 3.7 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who were in good shape.
4. Intake of high doses of steroid hormones for a long period can be the cause of insulin resistance.
5. Chronic stress is also a factor that can cause insulin resistance.
6. The state of insulin resistance can cause Cushing's syndrome.
7. Insulin resistance can also be caused by polycystic ovary syndrome.
Only one of these factors can lead to insulin resistance, but when several factors are associated, insulin resistance is guaranteed.
In case you suspect that you have insulin resistance, you can make an appointment with a nutritionist here.
Insulin resistance - symptoms and signs
There are some symptoms and signs that indicate that the patient has insulin resistance. I will list only the ones that are the most common and that suggests to me in my office that it is necessary to do laboratory tests to prove or rule out this diagnosis. Symptoms and signs that may indicate the existence of insulin resistance disorders are :
Obesity, body mass index (BMI) higher than 25. This is not the most reliable and absolute indicator of the disorder, because even thin people can have the disorder insulin resistance.
The division of obesity according to body mass index (BMI) is calculated in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (TTkg / Vm²). BMI is the measure most often used to determine the degree of nutrition, ie thickness: BMI 18.5-24.9 kg / m² = normal
BMI 25-29.9 kg / m² = overweight - overweight
BMI 30.0-34.9 kg / m2 = obesity
BMI 35.0-39.9 kg / m2 = thickness II. categories
BMI higher than 40kg / m2 = thickness III category
It is now known that visceral obesity more reliably indicates adiposity and is one of the main criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome.
In addition to measuring BMI, it is recommended to measure the waist/hip ratio (WHR) or just by measuring the waist circumference.
Women's waist circumference :> 80 cm = increase
> 88 cm = significant increase
Waist circumference men : > 94 cm = increase
> 102 cm = significant increase
The problem of metabolic syndrome is becoming more and more common among adults and the elderly population, and it is most worrying that it is more and more common among children and young people.
Children are becoming more obese as a result of a poor diet that is high in white flour and refined sugar and lacks physical activity. More than 43% of people over the age of 60 in the United States are thought to have metabolic syndrome, and it affects 4-5% of children.
Some other symptoms that may indicate a condition of insulin resistance are the following:
Forgetfulness, depression, lethargy
Constant desire to eat sweets even after meals - this happens due to sudden spikes of insulin in the blood where a vicious circle occurs when the patient needs to eat something every 2 hours.
A sudden drop in blood sugar - which happens because there is too much circulating insulin in the blood
Difficult weight loss, regardless of dietary correction, even if a person is on a special diet, lose weight hard and gain weight quickly. If you would like to lose weight healthily, we recommend that you schedule a nutritional examination by clicking on this link.
Excess fat deposits on the stomach (large stomach), and fat deposits around the internal organs (visceral obesity) are some of the signs that first indicate a possible disorder of insulin resistance.
Constant drowsiness, especially after meals with frequent yawning.
Chronic lack of energy and a feeling of fatigue despite heavy meals
The appearance of growths on the skin is similar to warts, under the chest, armpits, and neck.
Occurrence of darker discoloration of the skin of the neck, armpits, and groin.
Irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and increased hair loss in women as a result of hormonal imbalance that occurs again due to insulin resistance. Due to this hormonal disorder, sterility occurs in women and the appearance of polycystic ovaries.
0 Comments