Insulin is an important hormone that plays a role in the way your body uses energy. It is made by the pancreas and helps move glucose (sugar) into your cells for use as energy. When your blood sugar levels are high, your pancreas releases insulin into your bloodstream, where it works to keep your blood sugar level within a healthy, typical range.
Insulin resistance is a condition in which your body doesn’t respond to insulin as well as it could. It can increase your risk for developing diabetes — a chronic condition that affects more than 11% of people in the United States. Understanding what insulin resistance is and what causes it can help you take steps to prevent this condition and reduce your risk for diabetes as well.
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance is often a main precursor to diabetes. It occurs when the cells in your muscles, fat, and liver stop responding as well to insulin. They start to lose their ability to take glucose from your blood and use it for energy. As a result, your pancreas makes more insulin in an effort to help it get into your cells.
When you become insulin resistant, your blood sugar levels typically remain high. You may develop diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes can damage your nerves and blood vessels and increase your risk for a range of other health problems.
What Causes Insulin Resistance?
There are several factors that contribute to insulin resistance, many of which are lifestyle-related. Some of the more common causes of and risk factors for insulin resistance include:
- Excess weight. Being overweight or obese can cause insulin resistance due to the way fat tissues increase inflammation throughout the body.
- Lack of exercise. Not exercising regularly or having a sedentary lifestyle can lead to insulin resistance, given how exercise helps the body regulate blood sugar naturally.
- Poor nutrition. A diet high in sugar can contribute to elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.
- Family history. The risk for insulin resistance increases if others in your family are insulin-resistant or have diabetes.
Signs and Symptoms of Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance doesn’t always produce signs or symptoms. However, it may help to familiarize yourself with the signs of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, as high blood sugar levels associated with insulin resistance can cause you to develop one of these conditions.
Possible signs and symptoms of insulin resistance include:
- Darkened or yellowing of the skin in the armpits or on the back and sides of the neck
- Skin tags in the armpits or on the back and sides of the neck
- Blurred vision
- Numbness and tingling in the hands or feet
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections and illnesses
- Wounds that are slow to heal
What Are Complications of Insulin Resistance?
Diabetes is the most common complication of insulin resistance. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or you develop insulin resistance. This can cause your blood sugar levels to stay elevated, unless you start managing your condition or take medications to control your blood sugar.
Diabetes itself comes with a long list of potential complications. Complications that can occur with insulin resistance and diabetes include:
- Heart disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Nerve damage
- Foot ulcers
- Amputation
- Oral health problems
- Hearing loss
- Vision loss
- Mental health disorders
High blood sugar levels can damage the insides of your blood vessels and nerves to cause many of the above problems. For example, having sustained high blood sugar can damage nerves in your feet to make it difficult to feel foot wounds. Untreated foot wounds can lead to the development of ulcers and infections, such as gangrene. Gangrene can then lead to amputation of a foot or leg. Prevention and treatment of insulin resistance may help you avoid diabetes and its related complications.
Treatments for Insulin Resistance
Healthy lifestyle and behavioral changes may prevent insulin resistance or help your body start using insulin properly again. If you meet any risk factors for insulin resistance, consider ways you can successfully change those risk factors and promote better health.
- Start exercising regularly to lose excess weight and naturally regulate your hormones, including insulin.
- Modify your diet as needed to include more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, and fewer pastries, desserts, fried foods, and processed foods.
- Find new ways to manage stress and aim to get more high-quality sleep.
Your doctor can also work with you to ensure your blood sugar levels stay within a healthy range. There are no medications approved for the treatment of insulin resistance, unless you are diagnosed with diabetes. Contact your doctor if you think you may have insulin resistance or diabetes and to learn more about your potential treatment options based on your health status.
Resource Links
- “Insulin Resistance & Prediabetes” via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- “Insulin Resistance and Diabetes” via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- “Understanding Insulin Resistance” via American Diabetes Association
- “National Diabetes Statistics Report” via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- “Impact of Diet Composition on Insulin Resistance” via Nutrients
- “Prevent Diabetes Complications” via Centers for Disease Control and Prevention