Insulin Resistance - What To Know About It?

Obesity is a chronic condition defined by the excess amount of body fat. Obese people are prone to various diseases, one being insulin resistance. Insulin is necessary for the transport of blood glucose into cells for its conversion to energy through metabolism. It has been found that fat cells are more insulin resistant than muscle cells thus providing conclusive proof that obesity is one major cause of insulin resistance.

The best predictor of Type 2 diabetes is being overweight or obese. Nearly 90% of people who are overweight has Type 2 diabetes. Fat cells are more resistant to insulin than muscle cells. As a result blood glucose or sugar, that requires insulin to enter cells for metabolism, remain in the blood stream causing Type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are related to high blood sugar level. Though symptoms may not be visible initially yet it will reveal itself as time progresses because Type 2 diabetes develops gradually. The common symptoms are excessive thirst, frequent urination and fatigue.

Insulin is the hormone produced by the beta cells of the pancreas. Insulin is an essential hormone that metabolises carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body's cells become resistant to the effects of insulin. As a result, the pancreas starts producing more and more insulin until it is no longer capable of producing sufficient insulin. The consequence is that blood sugar levels increase and that leads to Type 2 diabetes. Hence, insulin resistance is the pre-requisite of Type 2 diabetes.