Insulin resistance

A Insulin resistance is a disorder in the sugar metabolism. The pancreas has to produce more insulin because it is more difficult to absorb by the cells and these are so to speak "resistant".

What is insulin resistance?

The main cause of insulin resistance is due to a diet high in sugar and fat in combination with too little exercise. Simple carbohydrates like table sugar and white flour cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly.
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Insulin resistance is related to diabetes. It is also called Prediabetes designated. Diabetes is playing an increasingly important role in industrialized nations. Much responsibility is assigned to nutrition, including a lack of exercise.

Insulin resistance is the precursor to diabetes. It takes more and more insulin to process an equal amount of sugar in the body. The pancreas can keep blood sugar levels normal for years, but the insulin levels are already high.

If the pancreas is no longer able to compensate after many years of excessive strain, diabetes develops. Persistent obesity promotes insulin resistance. Body fat in the abdominal region is said to be of particular importance.

causes

The main cause of insulin resistance is due to a diet high in sugar and fat in combination with too little exercise. Simple carbohydrates like table sugar and white flour cause blood sugar levels to rise rapidly. The pancreas tries to regulate the blood sugar level back to the normal range.

The constant intake of simple sugars makes the body insensitive to insulin, so that this represents the beginning of a vicious cycle. Stored fats lead to an increase in free fatty acids, which in turn stimulate the liver to produce more sugar. This sugar cannot be broken down by the muscles. The cause is therefore not due to the sugar intake alone, but is significantly favored by too many and bad fats.

Since exercise burns sugar and fats, a lack of exercise also means that the body is less able to work with the substances, or the result is a far higher burden on the metabolism. Obesity due to excessive calorie intake in the form of simple sugars in combination with little or no exercise is therefore the main pillar of insulin resistance.

Minor factors are smoking and prolonged stress - the body responds with "stress control". He tries to achieve this by producing more adrenaline and also makes more sugar available to enable an "escape". With the aforementioned factors, the probability of developing insulin resistance increases many times over.

Symptoms, ailments & signs

In the beginning, insulin resistance often does not produce any specific symptoms. Because of this, it is often not diagnosed until serious complications arise. The symptoms are similar to those of diabetes: dry skin, impaired vision and impaired wound healing. Possible accompanying symptoms are tiredness, difficulty concentrating and fatigue.

Physical and mental performance is impaired, and people often have difficulty concentrating. If the muscles are involved, insulin resistance can cause muscle dysfunction and pronounced muscle weakness. In addition, short-term weight loss can occur, which is often associated with deficiency symptoms. There may be weight gain in the abdomen.

As a result of the high blood sugar level, there is usually a strong feeling of thirst, followed by an increased need to urinate. Other signs are an increased idl cholesterol level and a decreased hdl cholesterol level. This system complex is also known as the metabolic syndrome and indicates insulin resistance.

The disorder is usually not visible externally. However, typical symptoms can occur, such as weight problems, pale skin and sweating. In the long term, untreated insulin resistance can cause massive consequential damage. Both the cardiovascular system and the organs themselves are affected, which can lead to functional disorders as a result of the increased blood sugar level.

Diagnosis & course

The diagnosis is made using an oral glucose tolerance test. To do this, the fasting blood sugar is measured first and then a sugary solution is drunk quickly. An increased fasting blood sugar can be the first indication of a manifested insulin resistance.

After taking the glucose solution, blood is drawn from the patient at certain time intervals. Now you can see what your blood sugar levels look like and how much insulin has been released. There is also a comparison value, the so-called HOMA-IR. The ratio of insulin to glucose is calculated. Values ​​greater than 2.0 indicate insulin resistance; values ​​above 2.5 indicate insulin resistance. Values ​​of 5.0 are regularly found in type 2 diabetics.

If the insulin resistance is left untreated, it gradually worsens and ultimately leads to diabetes or metabolic syndrome with side effects such as high blood pressure and severe obesity.

When should you go to the doctor?

People who suddenly gain significant weight for no apparent reason should see a doctor. If you become overweight or obese, help is needed. If sufficient exercise or sporting activities do not lead to any improvement in health or weight loss, a doctor should be consulted. If you feel generally ill, have emotional problems, feel unwell or have increased irritability, medical examinations should be initiated to clarify the cause.

If there are changes in the muscles, a decrease in physical performance or abnormalities in the metabolism, a doctor should be visited. A doctor should be consulted in the event of disturbances in the heart rhythm, high blood pressure or persistent palpitations. To avoid a life-threatening condition, examinations of the heart activity are necessary. If sleep disturbances occur without the presence of other health problems or other illnesses, irregular breathing and a significant loss of well-being, a doctor should be consulted.

Skin changes, discoloration or skin blemishes should also be examined and treated. Restrictions in movement possibilities, disorders of mobility or problems in coping with the demands of everyday life are indications that should be followed up. A visit to the doctor is recommended as soon as the symptoms persist over a longer period of time, the existing symptoms increase or they become more intense.

Treatment & Therapy

Treatment of insulin resistance is achieved through long-term diet changes. Special diets are controversial, as these are difficult to keep up with for the long term. It is better to switch the person affected to a wholesome, but low-fat diet with complex carbohydrates such as whole grain products and vegetables.

It is important not only to reduce the simple sugars many times over, but to use fats - especially animal fats - sparingly. The second important pillar of treatment is taking up more movement. Basically, all endurance sports are suitable. Very overweight people should work towards constant weight reduction with both forms of treatment and pay attention to their daily calorie intake.

Since insulin resistance can also occur in people who are not very overweight, weight reduction is not the first priority, but an improvement in the overall metabolic situation through better nutrition and sport. In addition, insulin resistance can be treated with medication. Metformin is mainly used here, which has its center of action in the liver and ensures that less sugar is formed there.

This reduces the blood sugar level and the pancreas is relieved. Other drugs are insulin sensitizers, which improve the sensitivity to insulin in the cells, and acarbose, which inhibits a sugar conversion process in the intestine.

Outlook & forecast

Insulin resistance has no prospect of a cure. It is a health disorder that requires long-term therapy. In addition to medical care, this is absolutely dependent on the cooperation of the patient. If the guidelines are adhered to, a significant improvement in health is possible.

Those affected can achieve significant relief of the existing symptoms by changing their daily diet and their current lifestyle. With a balanced and healthy food intake, sufficient exercise and avoidance of obesity, it is in many cases possible to achieve freedom from symptoms in everyday life. A good quality of life with the disease is thereby achieved.

As soon as the current lifestyle is maintained, an increase in complaints and a worsened prognosis can be expected. There is also the risk of secondary illnesses. With diabetes, for example, the person affected becomes ill with a chronic disease that can have far-reaching consequences.

Patients who adhere to the treatment plan and have achieved freedom from symptoms can relapse at any time. As soon as the healthy lifestyle is not followed permanently, the symptoms of insulin resistance return. In addition, the risk of organic damage increases. The liver and pancreas suffer from dysfunction and can lead to irreparable disorders.

prevention

Insulin resistance is prevented by a healthy lifestyle with lots of multiple sugars, such as whole grain products, legumes and vegetables. In addition, the consumption of simple sugars and white flour must be kept very low and the intake of fat reduced. Essential fats should largely consist of vegetable oils. A lot of sport contributes to a better metabolism of sugar and should therefore be done regularly.

Aftercare

Insulin resistance is a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism and can lead to serious health problems such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and lipid metabolism disorders. Long-term monitoring and follow-up care are therefore advisable even if there are no symptoms.

Various studies show that insulin resistance can be slowed down or completely reversed through a corresponding change in lifestyle. Exercise and sport represent the most important elements for the resensitization of the body cells to the body's own insulin. Light but regular exercise such as walking, swimming or other light sports are sufficient.

Furthermore, a diet that aims to avoid blood sugar spikes is important in order to prevent premature fatigue of the pancreas and diabetes. Complex carbohydrates, such as those found in vegetables, fruit and whole grain products, are preferable to simple carbohydrates, especially sugar and white flour. Glyx diets, which classify foods according to their glycemic index, are recommended in this context. According to various studies, intermittent fasting also helps regulate insulin levels and reduce insulin resistance.

Since patients with insulin resistance have a greatly increased risk of developing diabetes, blood sugar should be checked by a doctor at regular intervals. If the blood sugar level is elevated, it may be necessary to use medication.

You can do that yourself

Insulin resistance is the precursor to diabetes mellitus. This disorder gradually requires more and more insulin to process the same amount of sugar in the body. At some point the pancreas is overloaded and the person affected becomes diabetic. But it doesn't have to come to that. Insulin resistance is one of the disorders in which the patient can do a great deal to improve his or her health. Diabetes and its preliminary stages belong to the typical diseases of civilization that are very strongly influenced by the way of life. Insulin resistance is attributed, for example, to being very overweight, in particular a high concentration of fat in the middle of the body, and chronic lack of exercise.

Once insulin resistance is diagnosed, obese people must first reduce their body weight. This is usually not easy, which is why patients should seek professional help. With the help of a nutritionist, they can identify and eliminate the worst dietary sins. In many cases, animal products such as meat, sausage and fatty cheese have to be replaced by healthier alternatives. Switching to a diet rich in vitamins and fiber, mainly plant-based, is also a question of motivation. In addition to the nutritionist, membership in a self-help group can also be of great help here. Many of those affected often cannot get up to exercise on a regular basis. Membership in a sports club or gym is a good strategy for overcoming yourself and regularly integrating exercise into everyday life.