Are you Insulin Resistant?
First, let’s start with the definition of Insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and can’t use glucose from your blood for energy. To make up for it, your pancreas makes more insulin. Over time, your blood sugar levels go up.
It’s important to get checked by a metabolic clinic to determine if you are insulin resistant or at high risk for becoming insulin resistant. Being insulin resistant can lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Lifestyle changes and a medical program can help you modify the behaviors and lifestyles that are putting you at risk.
Insulin resistance can lead to:
- Obesity
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Type 2 Diabetes
What type of lifestyle and genetic factors increases the likelihood of Insulin Resistance?
- Obesity, especially belly fat
- Inactive lifestyle
- Diet high in carbohydrates
- Gestational diabetes
- Health conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and polycystic ovary syndrome
- A family history of diabetes
- Smoking
- Ethnicity
- Age of 45+
- Hormonal disorders like Cushing’s syndrome and acromegaly
- Medications like steroids, antipsychotics, and HIV medications
- Sleep problems like sleep apnea
What are the warning signs?
- Waistline over 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women
- Blood pressure over 130/80
- Fasting glucose level over 100 mg/dL
- Fasting triglyceride level over 150 mg/dL
- Skin tags
- Patches of dark velvety skin called acanthosis nigricans
Call Treasure Valley Metabolic today and schedule your appointment. We can develop a custom medical program that can help you achieve your weight and health goals.
(Source webmd.com)
