Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition that involves elevated insulin levels and a cellular resistance to all but higher insulin levels. Its primary cause is a high carbohydrate and high sugar diet that causes a disruption in the way the carbohydrates are metabolized. The cells become less responsive to insulin, resulting in an elevated insulin level with otherwise normal fasting blood sugar. After meals, the blood sugar can fluctuate and can be slightly high or slightly low. 

What are the signs and symptoms of insulin resistance?
Because fat can’t be mobilized by insulin, weight gain can occur. There are frequent fluctuations in blood sugar, including symptomatic hypoglycemia. The insulin levels are high but the molecules can’t get insulin out of the cells. The individual has many cravings for sugar and is always hungry. Triglycerides and cholesterol are elevated and the blood sugar gradually increases. The elevated triglycerides can cause excessive blood clots and there can be cardiovascular distress, including atherosclerosis.

What are the causes of insulin resistance?
The primary cause of insulin resistance is a diet high in carbohydrates, particularly refined carbohydrates. Deficiencies in zinc, chromium and manganese can make insulin less effective. The introduction of trans-fats in the diet will make the cell wall less likely to be able to transport insulin across it. 

Effects of High Insulin Levels
• Stimulates Plaque Formation 
• Promotes oxidation of LDLs 
• Contracts blood vessels 
• Kidneys waste nutrients 
• Increases blood pressure 
• Thickens arterial walls 
• Increases triglycerides 
• Promotes extra fat storage 
• Increases blood clotting 

Conventional Medical Approach: Unless the blood sugars are actually elevated, a conventional medicine specialist wouldn’t run any testing nor would they treat insulin resistance, despite the health risks. There is no routine blood test for insulin levels and most conventional medical providers would not even suspect insulin resistance unless there is evidence of true diabetes. 

Functional Medical Approach: Why wait to you have diabetes when you can look for insulin resistance and prevent it form occurring? If your fasting blood glucose levels are on the rise from previous blood tests and getting toward the range of Diabetes then you are definitely in insulin resistance. We are able to test your insulin as it is part of the tests that we perform at our office. If your fasting blood glucose levels are at 100-115, you are probably in the stage of insulin resistance. Once you get above the 115 levels, you would be considered to be a Diabetic.