What is Insulin Resistance?
Constant malnutrition and overeating cause the insulin level in the blood to rise and desensitize the cells to insulin.
Insulin resistance occurs when, in order to force nutrients into body cells, the pancreas has to produce ever larger amounts of insulin in response to permanently elevated blood sugar levels. Due to the constant overfeeding of the cells, the insulin receptors in the cells retreat and insulin resistance occurs. The result is a permanently high insulin level, which on the one hand promotes the buildup of new fat deposits and on the other hand closes the fat cells, making it practically impossible to lose weight.
Insulin resistance therefore means that the insulin present is ineffective. The cells do not sufficiently absorb the sugar in the blood and blood sugar rises. Because blood sugar rises, even more insulin is produced to counteract the excess. In the long run, the insulin-producing cells are overloaded, even to the point of complete exhaustion. The result: Diabetes!
Check your Insulin Resistance!
Do you know if you have insulin resistance? Here you can test!
Evaluation:
| Value | Points | |
|---|---|---|
| Total score | ||
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | over 26 | 1 |
| Body Mass Index (BMI) | over 30 | 2 |
| Blood pressure (mm/Hg) | over 140/90 | 1 |
| Fasting blood sugar in plasma (mg/dl) | over 110 | 1 |
| or diagnosed diabetes | 2 | |
| Triglyceride values (mg/dl) | over 230 | 1 |
| Ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol | over 4 | 1 |
| 0 – 1 point | Insulin resistance is unlikely |
| 2 – 3 points | The presence of insulin resistance is suspected |
| 4 – 8 points | Insulin resistance is quite likely. Consult your doctor. |