Does Insulin Resistance Cause Diabetes?
The American Medical Association Journal had a review article which stated that 25% of adults in the US are suffering from the effects of Metabolic Syndrome also known as Syndrome X or Insulin Resistance Syndrome. There is another 25% of the population who are in the process of developing insulin resistance. That adds up to 50% of the adults and 1/3 of the children are either developing or have already developed insulin resistance that will result in Metabolic Syndrome and then most of them will develop Type 2 Diabetes. That is alarming and if this trend is not reversed it will result in a catastrophic healthcare disaster. There is no way that the healthy population can pay for the cost of this healthcare disaster.
Understanding Insulin Resistance
Because of a unhealthy lifestyle, including eating food that is highly process and lacking in any nutritional value, there is an epidemic of individuals developing insulin resistance. This is the metabolic sequence of events that lead to the development of this condition: due to a improper diet an individual becomes less sensitive to their own insulin (insulin insensitivity), the body begins to compensate by producing more insulin, due to the extra insulin the body is able to control the blood sugar levels at this point, as this condition progresses the body will have to continue to produce an even higher abnormal level of insulin, eventually the insulin level will begin to drop as the body is unable to keep up with the demand for more insulin, now your blood sugar level will begin to increase, next this individual will begin to develop diabetes which will develop into Type 2 Diabetes for most of the patients at this point. This individual has now developed full blown Metabolic Syndrome with all of it’s devastating effects including pre-mature death if this condition is not reversed.
The 3 Main Causes of Insulin Resistance:
- Poor Diet – eating food that is highly processed and lacking in any nutritional value.
- Lack of activity and exercise of any aerobic value – sedentary lifestyle (couch potato).
- Little or no nutritional supplements – lack of cellular nutrition from high quality vitamins and supplements.
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What are the results of Insulin Resistance – Metabolic Syndrome or Syndrome X or Insulin Resistance Syndrome? Here are some of them:
- arteries begin to increase signs of premature aging – arterosclerosis,
- increase in cholesterol and triglyceride levels,
- 90% of Type 2 Diabetes caused by Insulin Resistance,
- Nearly all of non-genetic obesity,
- blood pressure increases,
- unable to lose and maintain body weight
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Is It Possible to Reverse Insulin Resistance?
Dr. Ray Strand, in his book Healthy for Life, explains the Triad for a Healthy Life. I highly recommend that you purchase and read this book. Actually the three things in the Triad are the reverse of the same three things that caused the condition to begin with: 1. Healthy Eating, 2. Modest Aerobic Exercise and 3. High Quality Supplements.
1. Healthy Eating - #1 this is not a diet plan that you do for a short period of time, loss some weight, then slip back into your old habits and regain the weight back plus some. This is a lifestyle change, forming new habits and reaping the results of a healthier body. You will not be hunger on this eating plan even in phase 1 where you completely eliminate the high-glycemic carbohydrates and most of the good carbohydrates as you start reversing the Insulin Resistance. Some have referred to this eating style as the mediterranean diet. By eliminating the bad carbs you are eliminating the main cause of the problem to begin with and also breaking the cycle of what Dr. Strand calls, Carbohydrate Addiction. It is important to note that the main tool that is used to measure what a person should and should not eat is the Glycemic Index. The Glycemic Index measures the rate of how fast blood sugar or glucose levels increase after food containing carbohydrates are consumed.
Note of Caution: from Dr. Strand if you already have Type 2 Diabetes : “If you are diabetic and on medication or insulin, you must be checking your blood sugars at least four times daily during the first few weeks of the program. If your blood sugar begins to drop and fall into the low blood sugar range (hypoglycemic range), contact your physician immediately so that he can readjust your medication.”
2. Modest Aerobic Exercise - 30 to 45 minutes, 5 times a week. Walking briskly is one of the most effective low-impact aerobic exercises you can do. It is important to increase you physical activity level to add to the synergistic effect of this program or lifestyle. All three parts of this lifestyle change are important to achieve the maximum results you desire.
3. High Quality Supplements - If you are not taking a high quality vitamin and mineral supplement, you are literally starving yourself nutritionally. By in large the food we eat is lacking and or devoid of the essential nutrient we require to maintain good health and energy. So it is critical for our wellness that we take high quality supplements.
Reversal of Insulin Resistance produces the following results:
- Avoiding or reversing diabetes,
- Ability to achieve and maintain ideal body weight,
- Blood sugar levels return to normal,
- Appetite and cravings are easier to control,
- No more energy highs and lows due to blood sugar spikes and lows,
- Blood pressure returns to normal,
- Mental and physical energy are easier to maintain,
- Energy to maintain the active lifestyle you desire,
- Overall health will improve – You will look good and feel good,
- Slowing of the aging process,
- Reduce or eliminate prescription drugs including insulin supplementation – only under your doctor’s supervision,
- Cholesterol and Triglyceride levels return to normal,
- Avoid the devastating effects of Diabetes including pre-mature death
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Summary:
This has been a brief overview on the subject of Insulin Resistance: what causes it, the effects and results of it, how it can be reversed and the health and wellness that is achievable when it is reversed. It is my goal with this and other articles I write on health issues to give you an idea of the choices you have to further your health and wellness. I urge you to continue your research and take steps to change your life and wellness for the better.
I wish you Health and Wellness,
Paul E. Dulin
About the Author
I am Paul E. Dulin, Business Owner and Internet Business Coach. I have been an advocate for health and wellness issues for over 20 years. I have done a fair amount of research and I continue to stay on the leading edge for health and wellness. It has been my life’s goal to help people find and get what they are looking for. What I am doing now gives me great satisfaction because it fulfills my goal.
If you are looking for reliable and trusted sources for you diabetic testing supply products, be sure to visit my website:
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I highly recommend that you buy and read Dr. Strand’s book, Healthy for Life. It can be purchased at:
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