| In general terms, insulin resistance (IR) is a | | | | If you think back to high school science class, |
| condition that is related to blood sugar (glucose) | | | | excess blood sugar is converted to....fat. This fat is |
| and insulin function within the body. It is natural | | | | easily stored by the body, therefore increasing |
| that after we eat a meal, our blood sugar rises. | | | | your overall weight. When an individual attempts |
| To control this rise is glucose, the pancreas | | | | to lose weight, yet their blood sugar levels remain |
| releases the hormone called insulin, whose function | | | | high, it becomes extremely hard for them to do |
| is to lower the blood sugar levels to a normal | | | | so. Their body is virtually working against their |
| state again. | | | | weight loss attempts. Many times, the excess fat |
| In the normal process, the way that insulin should | | | | is stored around the midline, increasing the |
| work, is best described if I give the analogy of a | | | | waistline over time. Unfortunately, IR can lead to |
| parking lot. Imagine, for a moment, that the | | | | more complex problems than simply excess |
| parking lot is one of the billions of cells in your | | | | weight. These include cardiovascular disease, |
| body. Each of the parking lots have many gates | | | | metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes and Type II |
| for entry. The cars waiting to enter these lots | | | | diabetes. |
| are the blood sugar. When the body detects the | | | | What to do? |
| increased blood sugar levels, insulin is | | | | To determine if you truly have IR, there are |
| released-acting like the parking attendant. It | | | | blood tests that can be performed by your |
| stimulates the cells to open their gates to allow | | | | doctor including a fasting glucose, glucose |
| the blood glucose (cars) to be allowed in. Once in | | | | tolerance and insulin tests. If it is found that you |
| the cell, the blood sugar is converted to energy to | | | | do have insulin resistance, reversal of this |
| be used by the body. The overall sugar level is | | | | condition is very important. For those who are |
| regulated. | | | | interested in reversing this process without the |
| However, in someone with IR, this process is | | | | use of medications, your should focus on a daily |
| interrupted. When the blood glucose rises, insulin is | | | | exercise routine and on eating a diet with a low |
| stimulated. However, when the insulin attempts to | | | | glycemic index and glycemic load. There have |
| stimulate the cell (the attendant tries to open the | | | | been some amazing advances in neutraceuticals, |
| gate) the level of stimulation is greatly reduced. | | | | that when utilized appropriately, can work to |
| Therefore, many of the gates are not opened | | | | re-sensitize the cells of the body. Combined with a |
| and/or many of the entrances are completely | | | | complete program, significant changes can be |
| closed. Due to this abnormality, the blood sugar | | | | made to improve your health and reduce your |
| levels can begin to increase. | | | | health risk factors. |
| How does this deter weight loss? | | | | |