Many people relate insulin resistance to diabetes. While this is the most significant effect of insulin deficiency or resistance, the condition can also lead to weight gain since your body won’t be regulating blood sugar levels accurately.
Insulin helps glucose in the blood to enter your body cells for metabolism. This is why an insulin pump is mandatory for people with insulin deficiency. They can purchase insulin supplements and insulin pumps across the country, from Provo to New Mexico, without fearing for their health.
If you don’t have enough insulin or your cells are resistant to insulin, more glucose will remain in your blood hence prompting the body to synthesize fat to store this extra blood sugar. The fat will then be stored in your body and trigger a weight gain.
Insulin resistance happens when your pancreas is producing enough insulin, but your cells aren’t reacting to the insulin as fast as they should. This reduces the cell’s ability to take in glucose for metabolism leaving you with low energy levels and high blood sugar levels.
What Comes First? Obesity or Insulin Resistance?
The relationship between obesity and insulin resistance has been a confusing conundrum to experts across the world. Only recently was it found that the two can cause each other. Obesity can lead to insulin resistance, and insulin resistance can lead to weight loss. It doesn’t matter which comes first. The result could be the same if all other factors are held constant.
How Obesity Leads to Insulin Resistance
Gaining fat from unhealthy lifestyle and diet adds to your abdomen fat deposit. This, could, in turn, instigate insulin resistance. According to research by Stanford University School of Medicine, abdominal fat caused an 80 percent spike in the risk of insulin resistance. The report established that fat deposits in other body parts only increased the risk by an average of 55 percent. Abdominal fat cells release fair doses of adipokines, chemicals that counter the effects of insulin on body cells.
Insulin Resistance Causing Weight Gain
There are different ways in which insulin resistance can lead to body weight gain. Insulin dysfunction will deprive your cells of glucose giving you food (especially sugary food) cravings. The resistance will also make your brain exaggerate your appetite leading to more blood sugar that your cells can’t utilize efficiently.
Increases sex hormone levels, especially estrogen levels. High levels of estrogen are an established obesity risk factor. If you are already insulin resistant, you can increase the chances of recovery by changing your lifestyle. While medication is the fastest way to handle insulin intolerance, it is unsustainable if you are already obese. Taking actionable steps to bring down your body weight will restore your insulin sensitivity. Eat a balanced diet and avoid:
1. Simple carbs like what you find on sweetened beverages or confectioneries.
2. Cut down on proteins and if possible focus on seafood proteins and soy products.
3. Avoid saturated fats and opt for unsaturated fats like omega 3
These diet changes coupled with the proper medical intervention from your physician, adequate sleep and exercising well should set you on the right path to recovery.
