What is insulin resistance?
The pancreas pumps out more insulin to get blood sugar into cells. Over time, cells stop responding to all that insulin—they’ve become insulin resistant. The pancreas keeps making more insulin to try to make cells respond. Eventually, the pancreas can’t keep up, and blood sugar keeps rising.
What is the main cause of insulin resistance?
Experts believe obesity, especially too much fat in the abdomen and around the organs, called visceral fat, is one of the main causes of insulin resistance. A waist measurement of 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women is linked to insulin resistance.
What is the difference between insulin resistance and diabetes?
Prediabetes and diabetes occur when the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Insulin resistance occurs when cells in your body do not respond well to insulin.
What are the symptoms of being insulin resistant?
Symptoms of insulin resistance:
- extreme thirst or hunger.
- feeling hungry even after a meal.
- increased or frequent urination.
- tingling sensations in hands or feet.
- feeling more tired than usual.
- frequent infections.
- evidence of high blood sugar levels in blood work.
How do I break insulin resistance quickly?
Several actions are known to decrease insulin resistance.
Among them are weight loss, exercise, glucose-lowering medication, and changes in food choices or eating habits.