Insulin Resistance and Diabetes: What's the Difference and How to Prevent It?
Insulin resistance is a condition in which cells do not respond as well to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and can lead to type 2 diabetes. It can be measured with the HOMA-IR and HbA1c tests and is treatable through healthy diet, exercise and stress management.
Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes and is characterized by reduced sensitivity of cells to insulin. This causes blood sugar levels to rise, which can be detrimental to your health. In this blog, we explain what insulin resistance is, how it occurs and how you can measure it using a HOMA-IR test.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that causes glucose from the blood to be absorbed into cells. However, in insulin resistance, the cells no longer respond properly to insulin, causing glucose to accumulate in the blood. Symptoms of insulin resistance include fatigue, weight gain (especially around the abdomen), and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
How Does Insulin Resistance Originate?
Insulin resistance can occur due to factors such as:
- Unhealthy food, especially rich in sugars and processed carbohydrates.
- Overweight, especially in the abdominal area.
- Physical inactivity.
- Chronic stress and hormonal imbalance.
These factors lead to overproduction of insulin, which ultimately reduces the cells' sensitivity to insulin.
Is Insulin Resistance the Same as Diabetes?
Insulin resistance is not the same as diabetes, but it can lead to type 2 diabetes if left untreated. In type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels are chronically elevated because insulin resistance worsens and the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin.
How Does Insulin Work?
Insulin acts as a "key" that opens the cells, allowing glucose (sugar) from the blood to be absorbed into the cells. In insulin resistance, this action is impaired, causing glucose to continue to circulate in the blood.
How Do You Measure Insulin Resistance?
One of the most effective ways to measure insulin resistance is the HOMA-IR test. This test calculates the ratio of your fasting insulin level to blood sugar to determine the degree of insulin resistance. In addition, the HbA1c test can measure your average blood sugar level over the past three months. You can easily have both tests performed at Blood Value Test.
Factors that Influence Insulin Resistance
In addition to diet and body weight, stress, lack of sleep and genetic predisposition also play a role in insulin resistance. Improving these factors can restore your insulin sensitivity and improve your health.
Solutions for Insulin Resistance
To treat insulin resistance, you can do the following:
- Healthy eating: Avoid sugars and refined carbohydrates. Focus on high-fiber vegetables, healthy fats and protein.
- Exercise: Regular exercise, especially strength training and cardio, can improve your insulin sensitivity.
- Stress management: Reduce stress through yoga, meditation and adequate sleep.
- Weight loss: Losing weight, especially around the abdomen, can help reduce insulin resistance.
Conclusion
Insulin resistance is a serious condition that, if left untreated, can lead to type 2 diabetes. Through a healthy lifestyle and proper testing, such as the HOMA-IR and HbA1c tests, you can detect and address insulin resistance early.
