Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition in which the body’s cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin. Insulin is essential for regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels and helps cells absorb glucose from the blood to use for energy. When cells become insensitive to insulin, the body requires more insulin to control blood sugar levels, leading to too much insulin (hyperinsulinemia) and ultimately a host of metabolic problems and health issues.
Over time, insulin resistance can lead to complications that affect nearly every organ system in the body, including metabolic disorders and cognitive impairment. Here’s a detailed look at insulin resistance and its potential consequences.
The mechanism of insulin resistance
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps cells in muscle, fat, and liver absorb glucose from the blood for energy. In cases of insulin resistance, the cells don’t respond to insulin effectively enough, resulting in too much glucose in the blood. This stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin to lower blood sugar levels. While this works in the short term, over time the pancreas may not be able to cope with the increased demand, causing blood sugar to rise and possibly develop into prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Common symptoms of insulin resistance
Insulin resistance itself may not cause noticeable symptoms early on, but there are several signs that may indicate its presence, including:
- Increased hunger (especially after meals)Â : Due to high insulin levels, cells cannot fully absorb glucose, and the body does not feel full, resulting in continued hunger after meals.
- Weight gain, especially in the abdomen : Insulin is a hormone that promotes fat storage, especially in the abdomen. People with insulin resistance often have difficulty controlling their weight, especially accumulating fat around their midsection.
- Fatigue : Despite high insulin levels, cells are unable to use glucose efficiently, resulting in low energy levels and a persistent feeling of fatigue.
- Dark spots on the skin (acanthosis nigricans)Â : These dark, velvety patches of skin usually appear on the neck, armpits, and groin area and are associated with insulin resistance.
- Hyperglycemia : Insulin resistance may lead to elevated blood sugar levels after meals, which may progress to prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
- Hypertension : Insulin resistance is associated with hypertension because high insulin levels make blood vessels less elastic and increase blood pressure.
- Increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels : People with insulin resistance often have unhealthy blood lipid levels, including low HDL (“good” cholesterol), high LDL (“bad” cholesterol), and high triglycerides, which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Difficulty losing weight : Even with proper diet and exercise, people with insulin resistance may have difficulty losing weight because the way the body processes glucose and stores fat is affected.
Consequences of insulin resistance:
1. Type 2 diabetes:
One of the most common consequences of insulin resistance is the development of type 2 diabetes. As insulin resistance worsens, the pancreas needs to secrete more insulin to compensate. Over time, the pancreas has trouble maintaining high levels of insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and eventually type 2 diabetes. This chronic disease requires lifelong management and can lead to complications such as kidney failure, vision loss, and amputation in severe cases.
2. Skin tags:
Skin tags (small, benign skin growths) are often associated with insulin resistance. They are particularly common in areas of skin folds, such as the neck, underarms, and groin. High levels of insulin may promote the growth of these skin tags.
3. Stroke:
Insulin resistance increases the risk of stroke by promoting the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This hardening can lead to blood clots that block blood flow to the brain. In addition, high blood sugar and blood vessel damage further increase the risk of stroke.
4. Heart disease:
Insulin resistance is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. It leads to high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and inflammation, all of which damage blood vessels and ultimately increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack and heart failure.
5. Obesity:
Insulin resistance is closely related to obesity, especially abdominal obesity. Insulin resistance causes insulin levels to rise, promoting fat storage, forming a vicious cycle that makes weight loss more difficult, thus further aggravating the obesity problem.
6. Migraine:
More and more studies have shown that there is a link between insulin resistance and migraine. The specific mechanism is still unclear, but researchers believe that the blood sugar fluctuations and inflammatory processes caused by insulin resistance may induce migraine in susceptible people.
7. Dementia:
Insulin resistance is closely linked to cognitive decline and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, which some researchers refer to as “type 3 diabetes” because in the presence of insulin resistance, the brain’s ability to use glucose is impaired, leading to neurodegeneration and memory loss.
8. Osteoarthritis:
Insulin resistance accelerates joint wear by promoting inflammation, leading to osteoarthritis. In addition, obesity, which is often associated with insulin resistance, increases the mechanical load on the joints, exacerbating the disease.
9. Childhood Obesity:
Insulin resistance is not limited to adults; it is increasingly common in children and adolescents, especially in overweight kids. Childhood obesity often leads to insulin resistance, which in turn causes early-onset type 2 diabetes and a lifetime of health problems.
10. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Infertility:
PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects women of childbearing age and is closely linked to insulin resistance. High levels of insulin lead to an increase in androgens, which interfere with ovulation and cause irregular periods, infertility, acne, and hirsutism (excessive body hair).
11. Fatty Liver:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely linked to insulin resistance. Excess insulin promotes fat storage in the liver, leading to inflammation and damage. Over time, NAFLD can progress to more serious conditions such as cirrhosis and liver failure.
12. Arthritis:
In addition to osteoarthritis, insulin resistance can also lead to systemic inflammation, exacerbating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Elevated insulin is associated with inflammatory pathways, further exacerbating joint pain and swelling.
13. Alzheimer’s disease:
As mentioned previously, insulin resistance in the brain is a significant factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The inability of the brain to efficiently utilize glucose leads to cognitive decline, memory loss, and the formation of amyloid plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
14. Erectile Dysfunction:
Insulin resistance can lead to erectile dysfunction by damaging blood vessels and affecting blood flow. High blood sugar levels can also affect nerve function, making it difficult for men to achieve or maintain an erection.
15. Sarcopenia:
Insulin plays an important role in muscle protein synthesis, and when cells become resistant to insulin, the muscle-building process is impaired, leading to sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass), which manifests as frailty and aging, especially in the elderly.
16. Hypertension:
Insulin resistance is closely linked to high blood pressure. Elevated insulin levels lead to sodium and water retention, which increases blood pressure. In the long term, this can damage blood vessels and organs, increasing the risk of stroke and heart disease.
17. Metabolic syndrome:
Metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess fat around the waist and abnormal cholesterol levels. Insulin resistance is a key contributing factor to these conditions, which together increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
18. Sleep Apnea:
Insulin resistance is associated with obstructive sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing is interrupted during sleep. Obesity that accompanies insulin resistance can increase the accumulation of fat around the airways, which can block the airways and increase the risk of sleep apnea.
19. Depression:
Insulin resistance is associated with depression, possibly by affecting brain function and triggering inflammation. The long-term stress that insulin resistance puts on the metabolic system may also contribute to mood disorders.
20. Decreased libido:
Insulin resistance can reduce sexual desire in both men and women. This may be related to hormonal imbalances, fatigue, and the psychological burden of chronic health problems.
21. Neuropathy:
Nerve damage (neuropathy) is a common complication of long-term insulin resistance, especially in people with type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar levels damage nerves, causing pain, tingling, and numbness, especially in the extremities such as the hands and feet.
22. Hirsutism:
In women, insulin resistance can lead to hirsutism, which is excessive hair growth in places where men usually grow hair, such as the face and chest. This is related to the increased androgen levels that are triggered by insulin resistance, especially in women with PCOS.
23. Gout:
Insulin resistance is associated with elevated levels of uric acid, which can build up in the joints and cause gout, a type of arthritis characterized by severe pain in the joints, especially the big toe. High levels of insulin reduce the kidneys’ ability to excrete uric acid, causing it to build up in the blood.
24. Chronic fatigue:
Insulin resistance can lead to chronic fatigue because it interferes with blood sugar regulation, making it difficult for the body to use glucose for energy. Inflammation and hormonal imbalances can also contribute to persistent feelings of tiredness.
25. Acne:
Insulin resistance has been linked to acne, especially in women with PCOS. High levels of insulin stimulate androgen secretion, which leads to increased oil production in the skin, which can clog pores and trigger acne.
26. Chronic Inflammation:
Insulin resistance promotes low-grade chronic inflammation throughout the body, which contributes to a variety of diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disease. This inflammation is primarily caused by excess visceral fat (the fat that surrounds the organs) in the body.
27. Irregular menstruation:
In women, insulin resistance can interfere with normal menstruation.
Menstrual cycle. High levels of insulin can interfere with normal hormone regulation, leading to irregular menstruation or amenorrhea, a characteristic of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
28. Oral health problems:
Insulin resistance can lead to oral health problems, including gum disease and tooth decay. High blood sugar levels promote the growth of bacteria in the mouth, increase the risk of periodontal disease, and weaken the oral immune response.
29. Decreased immunity:
Long-term insulin resistance weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infection and reducing the ability to heal wounds. This is partly because high blood sugar levels negatively affect immune cells, affecting the body’s ability to fight infection and repair tissue.
30. Skin discoloration:
Acanthosis nigricans is a skin disease associated with insulin resistance that causes darkening and thickening of the skin, especially in the neck, underarms and groin areas. Research suggests that this is due to high insulin levels stimulating abnormal growth of skin cells.
31. Mood swings:
Emotional issues such as mood swings, irritability, and even anxiety are common due to fluctuations in blood sugar levels caused by insulin resistance. The brain relies on a steady supply of glucose for energy, and when blood sugar levels are unstable, it can affect mood and mental health.
Management and treatment of insulin resistance
- Dietary changes : Reducing the intake of refined processed foods, refined sugars, and carbohydrates and adopting a low-carb, high-fat diet can help improve insulin sensitivity.
- Weight loss : Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of diabetes.
- Exercise regularly : Physical activity, especially strength training and aerobic exercise, helps cells become more sensitive to insulin and lowers blood sugar levels.
- Medication : In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medications, such as metformin, to help control blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity.
Conclusion: Low-carb diet prevents insulin resistance
Preventing insulin resistance requires proactive healthy lifestyle changes, and one of the most effective strategies is to adopt a low-carbohydrate diet. This helps lower insulin requirements, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other related conditions.
