What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate your blood glucose levels. When you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose, which enters your bloodstream. Insulin signals your cells to absorb this glucose, using it for energy or storing it for later. Once enough glucose is stored, insulin tells the pancreas to stop producing more.
With insulin resistance, this process doesn’t work efficiently. Muscle, fat, and liver cells don’t respond properly to insulin, preventing glucose from entering cells when needed. This leads to glucose building up in your bloodstream, causing the pancreas to produce more insulin in an effort to compensate. Over time, this can overwhelm the pancreas, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels and increased health risks.
If untreated, insulin resistance can contribute to:
- Weight gain
- Difficulty losing weight
- Type 2 diabetes
- Liver disease
- Increased triglycerides
- Higher LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Eye complications
- Certain cancers
- Alzheimer’s disease
What are the Signs and Symptoms?
Insulin resistance often lacks obvious symptoms, making testing crucial. However, some physical and clinical indicators include:
- A waistline over 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women
- Blood pressure of 130/80 or higher
- Fasting glucose levels over 100 mg/dL
- Fasting triglycerides over 150 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol under 40 mg/dL in men and 50 mg/dL in women
- Skin tags
- Dark, velvety skin patches (acanthosis nigricans) under the arms or on the neck
- Damage to tiny blood vessels in the back of the eyes
If you notice these signs, testing is essential to confirm whether you’re insulin resistant. Managing or reversing insulin resistance often involves lifestyle adjustments, including:
- Healthy eating: Prioritize high-fiber and low-glycemic foods, along with poultry, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. Avoid processed foods and refined sugars.
- Intermittent fasting: This can improve insulin sensitivity.
- Exercise: Strength training and aerobic activities help enhance insulin responsiveness.
- Stress management: Chronic stress can exacerbate insulin resistance.
- Quality sleep: Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night.
- Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption: These habits can impair insulin sensitivity.
In some cases, medications like GLP-1 agonists (e.g., Semaglutide or Tirzepatide) may be recommended. These treatments improve insulin sensitivity and aid in weight loss, addressing related issues like high blood pressure and elevated LDL cholesterol.
Standard blood tests, such as fasting insulin, glucose, and A1c, provide initial insights into your insulin sensitivity. For a more detailed evaluation, the Cardio IQ® Insulin Resistance Score is highly recommended. This advanced test measures insulin and glucose dynamics, offering a comprehensive view of your health.
What Does the Cardio IQ® Insulin Resistance Score Reveal?
The Cardio IQ® Insulin Resistance Score provides detailed information on how your body responds to insulin. It evaluates the balance between glucose and insulin levels, helping to identify:
- The degree of insulin resistance
- Risk factors for conditions like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and metabolic syndrome
This test empowers you and our team to develop a targeted health plan to reverse insulin resistance and reduce associated risks.
Let Us Help You Take Control of Your Health
Understanding your insulin sensitivity is a crucial step toward sustainable health and weight loss. At InShapeMD San Angelo, we offer the Cardio IQ® Insulin Resistance Score and expert guidance to help you take proactive steps toward a healthier life.
📲 (325) 227-4981
📌 3270 Sherwood Way, San Angelo, TX 76901
