What is Insulin Resistance? And Why It Matters

Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to the effects of insulin, a hormone crucial for regulating blood sugar levels. When cells don’t respond effectively to insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to chronic hyperglycemia. One of the issues is that many have insulin resistance but have no idea as the symptoms don’t appear until it’s quite out of control. 

Here are some symptoms that might be related to insulin resistance that may warrant deeper investigation: 

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

Common symptoms of insulin resistance include:

• Fatigue: Persistent tiredness even after adequate sleep.
• Hunger: Increased appetite and cravings, especially for sugary foods.
• Difficulty concentrating: Brain fog or trouble focusing.
• Weight gain: Particularly around the abdomen.
• High blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure levels.

The Dangers of Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is more than just a metabolic inconvenience; it poses significant health risks. Prolonged insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes, characterized by persistently high blood sugar levels and associated complications like nerve damage, kidney disease, and vision problems. Additionally, insulin resistance is linked to heart disease, as it promotes atherosclerosis (the hardening and narrowing of the arteries), increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Lately we have been seeing more risk of type 3 diabetes because of insulin resistance that leads to dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases. We must study more about this type of diabetes because it’s impacting a lot of people in the world.