Insulin Resistance • Symptoms, Therapy & Diet Tips

Insulin resistance is part of the metabolic syndrome. This designation covers various disorders that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition to insulin resistance, obesity, an increased blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia), disorders of lipid metabolism and high blood pressure (hypertension) belong to the metabolic syndrome.

At a glance:

Ten tips to prevent diabetes

Insulin resistance: symptoms of pre-diabetes

Since the insulin resistance causes no or only very unspecific symptoms, it often develops undetected over years. The typical diabetes symptoms only appear when the insulin resistance has developed into type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Indications of diabetes mellitus are:

• chronic fatigue
• Exhaustion
• Weight loss

A pathologically increased thirst and the associated increased urge to urinate are also signs of an illness.

Insulin resistance: what are the causes

The hormone insulin has a variety of tasks. Its most important is the regulation of the sugar balance. It causes the tissue to absorb glucose from the blood and process it further. In the case of insulin resistance, however, this effect is disturbed: the cells no longer react to insulin and no longer take up glucose.

To compensate for this, the pancreas initially produces more insulin. Although the blood sugar levels are normal, the level of insulin in the blood is then exceptionally high. This condition often persists for years until the islet cells of the pancreas can no longer produce enough insulin. Due to the overload, they become inoperable. The result is a chronically elevated blood sugar level (hyperglycaemia) and thus the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Risk factors and triggers of insulin resistance

What exactly causes insulin resistance to develop has not yet been clearly clarified. One suspects, however, a connection between hereditary predisposition and the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, certain lifestyle habits can increase the risk of this development. This includes:

• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• unbalanced, high-fat diet

Insulin resistance: this is how the diagnosis works

The likelihood of insulin resistance is particularly high when other factors of the metabolic syndrome are present. Family members who are already suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus can also be assessed as risk factors for the development of insulin resistance.

The glucose tolerance test can be used to check whether the body is able to break down the sugar it consumes within a certain period of time. To do this, a blood sample is first taken to determine the glucose level on an empty stomach. A liquid containing glucose is then drunk and another blood sample is taken after about two hours. If the glucose values ​​are significantly higher than the normal value, there is impaired glucose tolerance. This means that the sugar in the blood cannot be broken down sufficiently.

Another diagnostic method for insulin resistance is the insulin tolerance test. Here, too, you first take a blood sample on an empty stomach. An amount of insulin based on your body weight is injected into the vein. After half an hour, the level of insulin in the blood is measured. If the proportion is still more than 80 percent of the injected amount, there is insulin resistance.

Therapy for insulin resistance: measures for treatment

Insulin resistance can be treated well. However, the therapy consists primarily in a change in lifestyle. First of all, it is important to lose excess weight and exercise regularly. A healthy, low-fat diet also helps normalize fat metabolism.

It is also advisable to quit smoking and consume alcohol moderately.

Course: Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes

If the lifestyle is changed consistently, the insulin resistance can usually be weakened considerably. This is particularly important to avoid type 2 diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes. If it is not counteracted, the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus is greatly increased.

Insulin resistance: how can I prevent it?

With a balanced diet and physical activity, you can not only prevent obesity, but also high blood pressure. Limiting the use of table salt also has a positive effect. Quitting smoking also prevents a whole range of diseases.