Insulin Resistance

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin is the hormone that is released from the pancreas in response to glucose (sugar) in the blood. Insulin levels spike after eating a meal.

When insulin is released in a noninsulin-resistant (healthy) person, it triggers the body’s cells to utilize glucose and fats from the bloodstream.

Insulin resistance occurs when cells do not respond or respond weakly to the insulin signal This results in the body secreting even more insulin and eventually creating toxic levels of glucose in the blood, known as high blood sugar.

Why is it important to recognize insulin resistance?

It’s important to recognize and diagnose insulin resistance, because it is a clear marker of a diabetic tendency, and is usually evident 10 to 15 years before true diabetes is diagnosed.