Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas. It helps our cells take
in blood sugar (glucose) and convert it to energy. When an individual has
insulin resistance, the body’s cells are not responding to the insulin or
the cells are “resistant” to the insulin. Thus, sugar transport from the
blood into the body’s cells is delayed causing high blood sugar levels. To
compensate for the reduced responsiveness of the body cells to insulin,
the pancreas produces more and more insulin.
How Do I Know If I Am Insulin Resistant?
Place a check near each true
statement:
My waist circumference is greater
than 40 inches (for men)
or greater than 35
inches (for women).
My triglyceride (blood fat) level
is greater than 150
mg/dl and/or I
am being treated for high triglycerides.
My HDL (good cholesterol) level is
less than 40 mg/dl (for
men) or my HDL is
less than 50 mg/dl (for women)
AND/OR I am
currently being treated for low HDL levels.
My Blood Pressure is equal to or
greater than 130/85
mmHG and/or I am
currently being treated for high blood pressure.
My Blood Sugar level is greater
than 100 mg/dl
AND/OR I am currently
being treated for high blood sugar levels.
Did you
check three or more of the above questions? If so, you may
have Insulin Resistance Syndrome (aka Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X)
according to guidelines set by the American Heart
Association.
Am I at Risk for Developing Insulin
Resistance?
People at high risk for developing
Insulin Resistance include:
Individuals with a sedentary lifestyle
Individuals who are overweight
Those who have high blood pressure
Those who have a parent or sibling with Type II Diabetes
Women who had diabetes mellitus during pregnancy
Can I Reverse Insulin Resistance?
Yes. Get Moving! Physical activity and weight loss make the body
respond better to insulin. Physical activity helps your muscle cells use
blood sugar because the muscle cells need it for energy. Thus, making
those cells more sensitive to insulin.
Also, by cutting back on
refined foods and sugar consumption will reduce the amount of circulating
sugars in your system. Eat more fruits and vegetables and high fiber
foods.
Not only will these interventions reverse insulin
resistance; but, they will assist you in preventing diabetes mellitus and
heart disease. You might also find that you will have a better quality of
life if you implement these interventions into your daily life.
