What is Insulin Resistance? Stages, Cause, and More

Insulin resistance is noticed in diabetic patients who are in the type 2 category. The cells of the patient are not reactive to the insulin and that’s how sugar levels rise in the body. 

You would not find this problem with anyone who is having type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disorder where the immune system does not let the beta cells produce insulin.

What is Insulin Resistance Meaning? 

Another medical term used for defining insulin resistance is metabolic syndrome. Insulin resistance meaning relates to the condition in which the body’s cells, tissues, fats and liver simply ignore the insulin. Such a condition leads to an abnormal rise in sugar levels in the bloodstream.

Otherwise, sugar is very important for our body’s development. It is required for energy production. If the sugar in the body is not utilized properly then one can suffer from different health issues which may risk the life. 

Insulin resistance is about flawed insulin sensitivity that any type 2 diabetic patient usually has. In exceptional cases of type 1 diabetic patients, such abnormal conditions for insulin is noticed like:

1. The person suffering from obesity due to type 1 diabetes.
2. Insulin insensitivity is also noticed during the metabolic changes in any teenager who may have type 1 diabetes.
3. Many pregnant women may undergo the problem of this insulin disorder if diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
4. The person affected with any infection or disease during the period of type 1 diabetes may experience insulin resistance.

You must be physically active, consume as little sugar as possible, and maintain adequate hydration to make your body’s cells and liver more insulin-sensitive.

Stages of Insulin Resistance

It is about the growth of insulin resistance in the diabetic person through various stages and how it might have an impact on the rise in glucose levels and damage your health:

1. Insulin at a normal level during which insulin sensitivity is quite regular. It is stage 1 when the beta cells of the pancreas stimulate the production of insulin at the standard level for regulating blood sugar metabolism. It would be easier for the insulin hormone to trigger the cells to convert into energy.
2. In stage 2, the pancreas comes into action by making more insulin to balance the elevating sugar levels.
3. In stage 3, the sugar level starts going out of control and there is not enough insulin to manage increasing glucose levels. It is a sign of impaired glucose intolerance by giving a sign of progressing towards type 2 diabetes.
4. A rise in insulin resistance worsens the blood sugar metabolism. The blood sugar increases and goes into the state of compensatory hyperglycemia. Still, in stage 4, the pancreas produces insulin to keep the rising sugar under control but fails to do so.
5. In stage 5, one sees himself or herself in type 2 diabetic conditions. The diabetic individual’s pancreas will fail to meet the required insulin production for elevated glucose levels.
6. Impaired insulin sensitivity can occasionally be the result of aberrant metabolic activity. Insulin function is hampered by toxic fat buildup in the abdomen, elevated blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol. As a result, there is a chance that one will develop several illnesses and possibly pass away. This corresponds to metabolic syndrome stage 6.

However, by identifying the condition as soon as possible and using specific immediate intervention techniques, insulin resistance can be kept under control. Consulting with your healthcare provider regularly will assist you in identifying and putting into practice the best lifestyle choices for managing your diabetes. To monitor the progress of insulin, you must also regularly get blood tests and maintain your blood sugar levels.

Causes of Insulin Resistance

Medical science has not come up with the exact reason behind the cells, tissues and liver showing poor insulin response. It is assumed to be one basic reason or combination of different factors triggering insulin resistance. 

It may be an abnormality in genetics, an irregular lifestyle, or adverse environmental effects.

Let’s understand how the following factors do not let the insulin maintain sugar at optimum or control any other metabolic activity:

Genetic Disorder

Many insulin resistance cases are inherited from their biological family members. The patient’s family members may have the cells weak in responding to insulin.

Condition of Overweightness

Sitting for long hours can make someone obese and his or her metabolic activities get abnormal. Food does not get digested due to a sedentary lifestyle and thus disrupts many other metabolic activities that may be related to sugar metabolism and cardiovascular health, etc. 

Keeping yourself active is essential to burn the unnecessary fats that are disrupting the process of diabetes management.

Poor Dietary Conditions

Many of us are drawn to the quick and processed food that is sold at eateries and on street corners. Although burgers, pizza, and chow mein may taste good and satisfy our hunger, they do not improve our health. 

Instead, eating such foods will raise your risk of developing toxic fats, which can cause fatty liver disease or diabetes.

Getting Older

In individuals in their late 40s, 50s, and beyond, there is an increase in insulin insensitivity or any indication of prediabetes and diabetic conditions. Their defense mechanism deteriorates. 

Many would suffer from disorders in the pancreas, liver and other vital organs and experience disruption in the blood sugar metabolism. Further, dependency on addictive items like alcohol, nicotine and sweet products will weaken the cells in responding to the insulin

Use of Certain Allopathic Medications

There have been reported cases of insulin insensitivity after oral intake of medications related to blood pressure and depression.

Exposure to Chemicals in the Environment

Rising pollutants in the environment are not only damaging the hair and skin of the body but also impacting the blood lipid levels negatively. Blood vessels undergo damage due to rising pollution and that sets for increasing insulin resistance.

Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

Symptoms related to this particular problem will help the doctor in the process of treatment and prescribing medications.

Indications or signs related to this insulin production malfunction are quite similar to those of diabetic conditions like:

1. Rise in thirst
2. Recurring urination
3. Rise in hunger
4. Vision problem through eyes
5. Delay in wound healing
6. Infections on the skin and genital area
7. Headache

There may be some more insulin resistance symptoms that are yet to be uncovered by healthcare professionals or diabetologists.

Treatment for Insulin Resistance

The method of treatment for insulin resistance identifies the procedures used in the case of diabetes management.

Insulin resistance treatment  is explained in step-by-step patterns like:

Healthy diet

Healthy diet might involve verifying the carbohydrate intake and including fiber-rich foods. One must not too much of spices in their regular food habit. It is better to have green leafy vegetables, lentils, oats, whole grains and lean meat. 

Avoid eating red meat as much as possible along with alcohol and any form of substance abuse. Try to have a minimum carbohydrate diet. Eating brown rice and wholegrain basmati rice would be beneficial for insulin-resistant and diabetic patients as these grains have low glycemic index. Excluding potatoes from the diet would be a better option to battle the insulin resistance disorder.

Managing the Weight Easily

Exercise is an important lifestyle choice you can make to make your body more sensitive to insulin. Moderate exercise of 30-40 minutes, 6 days a week can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Several studies have also shown that regular exercise can significantly bring down cardiovascular risk associated with diabetes and also assist with healthy weight management.

You will be able to move more freely and lighter, and you’ll be active all day. Maintaining the yoga or exercise regimen under the supervision of a trainer will help your body get into good shape. Simply continue exercising for another fifteen minutes or so daily, then assess how much weight you have lost.

Drinking Plenty of Water

Drinking 10 to 12 glasses of water during the phase of insulin resistance will dilute the increasing sugar levels in the bloodstream and stimulate insulin activity.

Having Adequate Sleep and Rest

It has been observed that the stress or rise in cortisol levels has been the major cause behind impaired insulin sensitivity and elevated blood sugar levels. At least 7 to 8 hours of healthy sleep will keep away the stress, calm down the brain nerves and related tissues and aid in normalizing the circulatory health and thus blood sugar metabolism.

Taking Medicines on Time if Prescribed

In the cases of diabetes type 2 and high insulin resistance, patients are prescribed metformin and sometimes insulin injections. Many diabetics have found effective sugar management results by combining prescribed medicines with ayurvedic supplements like Dr Madhu Amrit. 

The blend of herbs in this ayurvedic supplement like gurmar, neem, amla, karela, chi raita and aloe vera has shown improvement within 15 days. There are no side effects noticed which are usually found with oral intake of any allopathic medicine.

Preventing Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance and prediabetes may lead to chronic diabetes type 2 conditions and make you suffer lifelong. You may be burdened with different medicines and their related side effects and other dietary restrictions. According to the popular phrase, “ prevention is better than cure”, we must look forward to different positive ways to keep away from insulin resistance and its related negative health consequences.

Key strategies for safeguarding from insulin resistance are:

1. Controlling carbohydrate intake and instead relying on fiber-rich diet which are found with low glycemic index values.
2. Staying away from alcohol or any form of addictive substances including fast food items.
3. Practicing yoga and aerobic exercises.
4. Keeping oneself in good humor to drive away stress.
5. Maintaining information regarding the family history of yourself or inlaws.

Adopting such strategies will improve your insulin sensitivity and boost your immunity power.

Conclusion

Insulin resistance, a condition where the body’s cells, tissues, fats, and liver ignore insulin, causes abnormal blood sugar levels. Causes include genetic disorders, lifestyle changes, and environmental factors. 

Treatment involves a healthy sugar-free and fiber diet and exercise. Impaired insulin sensitivity will ruin your body’s metabolism and give rise to different fatal illnesses. Henceforth, consulting a doctor will surely assist you in taking preventive steps against insulin resistance.