Insulin resistance can lead to some serious health issues, including Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome. Learning the signs of insulin resistance and how to manage the condition can help reduce your risk.
At Bio-X Weight Loss Center in Round Rock and Austin, Texas, Luis Wilmot Jr., MPAS, PA-C, and the team offer up-to-date information on a range of topics to help those in our care feel great today and in the future.
Here, we look at insulin resistance, how it happens, and what you can do about it.
Your cells need a hormone called insulin to access the glucose in your bloodstream, which is what fuels cell activities.
Your pancreas manufactures insulin. When you don’t have enough insulin, glucose (blood sugar) levels can rise, straining organs and systems throughout your body.
Insulin resistance occurs when your cells don’t respond to insulin normally and are unable to use it for energy or energy storage. As a result, blood glucose can build up within your blood, even though your pancreas produces sufficient insulin.
Over time, though, your pancreas fails to keep up with the demand, and blood glucose can rise to dangerous levels.
Numerous factors can cause or contribute to insulin resistance, including:
Many people who are overweight or obese develop insulin resistance, but some people who develop the condition maintain a perfectly healthy weight.
One reason it’s so important to screen for insulin resistance and work to prevent it is its effect on weight gain. High insulin levels trigger your body to prevent fat breakdown, essentially holding on to fat cells.
Once sugar overwhelms your muscle and liver tissues, any extra glucose in your blood is stored as fat. The more fat you store, especially the fat around your organs, the more inflammatory proteins your body releases, further interfering with your insulin response.
Making matters worse, when sugar remains trapped in your bloodstream, your cells begin to cry out for fuel, which can lead to intense cravings that trigger overeating. All of these factors combine to create a dangerous cycle that can quickly drag down your health.
If you’re overweight or obese, one of the best ways to improve your insulin resistance is to shed some extra weight. Of course, that’s often easier said than done, which is why so many of our patients rely on Bio-X Weight Loss Center for medical weight loss services.
Our team can assess your blood sugar levels and overall health to determine the best way to tackle insulin resistance. That could involve weight loss treatments and guidance on improving your nutrition and activity levels to help your body process insulin more effectively.
When you’re ready to begin, we can’t wait to meet with you. Schedule a visit at Bio-X Weight Loss Center by phone or online today.
