Insulin resistance It can occur in the person with various symptoms; among the most common are flesh moles on the neck and in the armpits, dark patches of skin in the folds of the neck, armpits, and in the groin. Insulin is an anabolic hormone and when its levels increase it produces weight gain, the person has more appetite and more fat deposits.
The doctor Natali Jáuregui Macedo, specialist in Endocrinology at SANNA Clínica San Borja He explains about insulin resistance, its causes, treatments, and how this hormone influences weight gain.
What is insulin resistance?
To answer this question, we must first be clear that insulin is a hormone, released by the pancreas, it has different functions, but the main one is to introduce glucose (blood sugar) to different tissues such as muscle, liver, adipocytes ( fat tissue) to produce energy. That is: ????????? ?? ?? ??? ?? ?? ???? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ??????. (It’s like a key that is responsible for “getting” glucose into the cells).
Insulin resistance is a condition in which insulin cannot fulfill its function because the tissues (liver, muscle, adipose tissue) are unable to its action, since they are inflamed and infiltrated by fat. In response to this, the pancreas secretes more insulin, producing a state of compensatory hyperinsulinism (elevated insulin); over time the pancreas can become exhausted, and as a final result blood glucose increases, causing prediabetes and then type 2 diabetes.
What are your causes?
No single cause of this condition has been defined, but multiple factors have been identified that may contribute to its development, among them are:
▪️ Poor diet: A high-calorie diet, rich in sugars and carbohydrates (flour).
▪️ Sedentary.
▪️ Drugs, such as the use of high-dose corticosteroids for a long time.
▪️ Hormonal disturbances such as Cushing’s syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome.
▪️ Genetic Factors
Being the most frequent factors a poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
What are your symptoms?
The characteristic signs are:
▪️Acanthosis Nigricans (dark spots of the skin in the folds such as the neck, armpits, groin)
▪️ Acrochordons (meat moles on the neck and armpits)
▪️Increase in abdominal fat (waist perimeter)
Other non-specific symptoms:
▪️ Constant feeling of hunger.
▪️ Fatigue after eating.
▪️ Craving for candy.
It can also be associated with:
▪️ Fatty liver (non-alcoholic liver steatosis).
▪️ Arterial hypertension.
▪️ Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
▪️ Fertility problems.
▪️ Elevation of triglycerides.
▪️ Decreased good cholesterol (HDL Cholesterol) .
▪️ Overweight – obesity.
▪️ Metabolic syndrome.
Insulin resistance has among its symptoms the feeling of constant hunger. Photo: Pexels.
Is insulin resistance preventing weight loss?
Yes, insulin resistance is associated with weight gain, and it can be seen as a vicious circle, since as I had previously commented in this condition, there is an increase in insulin, which, being an anabolic hormone, when it is high produces: Greater appetite, less satiety, greater fat deposit and consequently greater weight gain; and weight gain in itself (Overweight – Obesity) produces greater resistance to insulin, generating greater insulin secretion by the pancreas and thus becoming a vicious circle.
It should be noted that insulin is a good hormone, which helps in metabolism, the problems we see in insulin resistance is when it is elevated.
What are the treatments for this situation?
The fundamental pillar in the treatment of this condition will always be a healthy lifestyle. In some specific cases, medication can be added and the choice of drug will depend on the associated conditions that the patient presents. Within the medication alternatives we have metformin, thioglitazones (Pioglitazone), GLP-1 agonists.
A good diet will help improve your health always. Photo: Pexels.
Can you give us some tips?
Sure, try to have a healthy lifestyle by maintaining:
* Healthy foodeliminating processed sugars, junk food, increasing consumption of vegetables, fiber, proteins, consuming 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.
* Physical activity : Perform at least 30 minutes of physical activity at least 4 days a week.
▪️ Improve hours of sleep. and that they are of quality.
▪️ Reduce stress.
▪️ Reduce and it is better to avoid as much as possible the consumption of alcohol and tobacco.
And if you think you might have this condition, always go for an evaluation by an endocrinologist.
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