Insulin resistance has been identified as a cause of weight problems and obesity. Being overweight can cause a range of health problems such as, polycystic ovarian syndrome, metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and increased risk of heart disease. If you have been struggling with excess weight, despite attempting weight loss through healthy diet and exercise, insulin resistance could be the problem.
Insulin resistance can result from a variety of factors. In some cases, the problem is hereditary. In other instances, factors such as lifestyle choices and extreme stress can contribute to insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance inhibits the body’s natural process of conversion of glucose to energy in the body. Insulin resistance disrupts this process by reducing the number of insulin receptor sites in the cells of the body. Insulin resistance also increases the level of insulin in the blood stream, which contributes to obesity and can lead to damage in the body that can result in a heart attack or stroke.
Insulin resistance can be diagnosed by detecting elevated levels of fasting insulin. This measures insulin in the blood after you have fasted and can be done in the doctor’s office. These results, combined with other symptoms of excessive weight, such as abdominal fat, high blood sugar levels, blood pressure and other tests, lead to a diagnosis of insulin resistance and a plan to improve the condition.
In addition to dealing with the excess of insulin in the system, there are lifestyle factors that can be addressed. The biggest lifestyle factors are consuming an unhealthy diet and lack of physical exercise. Lack of activity contributes to insulin resistance, as well as all the underlying health conditions that can result from excess insulin.
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