What is Insulin Resistance and What Are the Signs&symptoms - a podcast by Discussions with successful health experts such as Ben Greenfield, Terry Wa

What is insulin resistance and what are the signs and symptoms – Dr. Jason Jones Elizabeth City NC, Chiropractor

Insulin resistance is estimated to affect one in three Americans, including people above age 60. This silent blood sugar problem increases the risk for having prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, as well as other serious health ailments, such as cancer, stroke, and heart attack.

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance occurs when the muscle cells, liver, and body fat don’t respond well to insulin due to excess amount of glucose in the bloodstream. This reduces the ability of the cells to absorb and use glucose as a source of energy.

However, if the pancreas can produce a high amount of insulin that can overcome the low rate of absorption, your blood glucose will remain within a healthy range, and you’ll be less likely to develop diabetes.

Common signs and symptoms of insulin resistance

You may not notice any symptom of insulin resistance until diabetes develops. Research shows that 90% of people living with prediabetes do not know they have the condition.

That’s why you’ll need to take a blood test to determine your blood sugar levels. More so, you may not know you’re suffering from other conditions associated with insulin resistance, including low “good” cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and high triglycerides, without seeing your doctor.

However, some common signs of insulin resistance include:

• Blood pressure readings of 130/80 or higher
• A fasting triglyceride level over 100 mg/dl
• A waistline over 35 inches in women and 40 inches in men
• A HDL cholesterol level under 50 mg/dl in women and 40 mg/dl in men
• A fasting glucose level over 100 mg/dl
• Patches of dark, velvety skin known as acanthosis nigricans
• Skin tags

Insulin resistance can also worsen symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can include infertility, irregular menstrual cycle, and periods that comes with chronic pains.

Doctors also record that a high level of insulin in the blood is often associated with increased risk of vascular or heart diseases, even when you don’t have diabetes.

What are the risk factors for insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance, prediabetes, and diabetes are often associated with the following risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• Obesity or being overweight, especially when you have extra weight around your midriff
• Sleep issues
• Lack of exercise or a sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking

Some risk factors are common for diabetes, heart diseases, and some cerebrovascular health issues, such as stroke.

However, some lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing some of these conditions, such as obesity.

 

 

How to prevent insulin resistance

You may not be able to influence some risk factors for insulin resistance, such as genetic makeup and family history. However, you can take some measures to reduce your chances of becoming insulin resistant.

One good measure is following an active, healthy lifestyle. Your muscles become more sensitive to insulin when you exercise.

So try to increase your physical activities gradually, and eat a healthful, low-carbohydrate meal.

You can consult Dr. Jason Jones at our chiropractic office at Elizabeth City, NC, to learn more about insulin resistance, signs and symptoms to watch out for, and preventive measures you can take.

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