Insulin resistance disrupts the body\u2019s ability to effectively regulate sugar levels. It is one of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and an early stage in developing type 2 diabetes. Read on to uncover five factors that may help decrease insulin resistance.<\/p>\n
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You may hear doctors say that the problem isn\u2019t insulin<\/a>, but rather insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when the body is using more insulin than normal to keep blood sugar in balance.<\/p>\n Research suggests that in most \u201chealthy\u201d people, insulin resistance is mainly caused by two factors: overeating and lack of physical activity. Eating too much and being inactive can cause a buildup of fat in the liver and muscles, which makes these tissues less responsive to insulin [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Other causes of insulin resistance include stress, pregnancy, and various disorders and diseases.<\/p>\n Scientists think that, in insulin resistance, the brain will not get the message that insulin is trying hard to convey (that blood sugar levels are high) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In line with this theory, insulin resistance is thought to promote hunger<\/a>. As people eat, insulin is released. But the body senses as if it needs more food despite, bypassing insulin\u2019s satiety hormone action. Hence why obesity<\/a> has been linked to brain insulin resistance<\/em>, though more human research is needed to verify this [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The majority of studies covered in this section deal with associations only, which means that a cause-and-effect relationship hasn\u2019t been established.<\/strong><\/p>\n Researchers have proposed a correlation between insulin resistance and fat accumulation in the liver. In a literature review, insulin resistance was suggested to be directly correlated to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In another study, elevated blood free fatty acids (FFA) were associated with insulin resistance [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In diabetics, insulin resistance was shown to inhibit glycogen synthesis and uptake [R<\/a>]. Also, waist and thigh circumference (predictors of insulin resistance) were negatively correlated with the percentage of type 1 muscle fibers [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In prediabetic subjects, insulin resistance was linked to atherogenic changes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n TNF-a<\/a> levels were linked to the development of insulin resistance in obese patients. TNF-a was suggested to inhibit the ability of insulin to exert its effects on the insulin receptor [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n In adults with human growth hormone<\/a> (HGH) deficiency, rHGH lowered insulin sensitivity [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Another study suggested a correlation between insulin resistance and chronic kidney disease pathology [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Animal findings can\u2019t be applied to humans. <\/strong><\/p>\n The research outlined here should guide further investigational efforts. However, it should not be interpreted as supportive of any health effects in people.<\/p>\n When rats had their brain insulin receptors removed, they ate more, developed insulin resistance, and became obese [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Rats fed a high-fat diet<\/a> insulin resistance occurred first in fat and liver tissue than in muscle tissue [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n IKKB (a mediator of inflammatory cytokine Nf-kb<\/a> production) has been linked to the development of insulin resistance in lab animals [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Scientists are investigating the following mechanisms in cells and lab animals:<\/p>\n These pathways have yet to be explored in humans.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re struggling with insulin resistance, it\u2019s important to schedule a visit with your doctor.<\/p>\n He or she should diagnose, treat, and monitor any underlying conditions causing your insulin resistance.<\/p>\n<\/a>Scientific Theories<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Disease Associations<\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>Animal Research<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a>Factors that May Decrease Insulin Resistance<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
<\/a>When to See a Doctor<\/span><\/h3>\n