What is insulin resistance?

The role of insulin is to allow cells to take in glucose to be used as fuel or stored as body fat. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it tries to cope by producing more insulin. People with insulin resistance are producing more insulin than healthy people.

Although the exact cause of insulin resistance is unknown, certain factors have been linked with this condition :

- Obesity (defined as having a certain BMI ) - Eating a high-calorie, high-sugar diet - Lack of physical activity

- Taking high doses of a steroid - Chronic stress - Having polycystic ovaries syndrome or Cushing’s disease (Type 1 diabetes is different; it’s thought to be caused by an autoimmune reaction. People with type 1 diabetes don’t make enough insulin and need to take it to survive.) Symptoms don’t usually occur until your sugar levels becomes elevated and you have prediabetes, or type 2.

They may include:

- Increased thirst and hunger - Tiredness - Blurry vision - Brain fog This condition doesn’t have to progress to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Making lifestyle changes can help reverse it so that your body can respond properly to insulin. Do a moderate-intensity exercise, like biking or speed-walking..Enjoy, move and be consistent! Eat a low carb diet. Reducing your intake of processed carbohydrates can improve glucose metabolism and reduce insulin resistance. Having a whole foods diet, improve how your body uses insulin and reverse insulin resistance. Quit smoking. Nicotine can cause your body to produce extra glucose, which makes it harder to control your blood sugar level. Get plenty of sleep. Make your nights a priority! Not getting enough sleep may increase your risk for diabetes or make it harder to control. Manage your stress. When you’re under stress, your body produces higher amounts of cortisol, the stress hormone. It can make your cells resistant to insulin➡higher blood sugar➡chronic stress may increase your risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.