Insulin resistance is a condition in which insulin produced by the pancreas to keep blood sugar levels steady becomes less and less effective in certain parts of the body, which are less sensitive to the insulin produced. This leads the pancreas to over compensate by producing more and more insulin to try and correct this. These higher levels then affect other systems which have kept their sensitivity to insulin. Areas most sensitive to high levels of insulin vary between individuals and according to genetic makeup.
What are the most common areas sensitive to high levels of insulin?
Insulin also has a profound effect on the cardiovascular system. This works on both:
In the long term, increased outpouring of insulin results in eventual ‘pancreatic exhaustion’ and a higher risk of diabetes. There is evidence that insulin resistance and high levels of insulin can affect the metabolic processes in many parts of the human body.
Up until recently insulin resistance has been poorly understood, but increasing interest and research shows that the diagnosis and early treatment or improvement of insulin resistance has huge benefit, both in the short term for the treatment of symptoms, and in the long term for prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
At the Surrey Park Clinic we will perform tests to determine if and to what extent you are affected. We can advise on treatments from lifestyle and dietary advice to medication such as Metformin Glucophage to help control blood glucose levels.
Related topics Blood Tests, Dietary Advice