What is insulin? What is insulin resistance? What are its causes? And what is the difference between insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes?
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a crucial hormone in the body, secreted by the pancreas, and responsible for regulating blood sugar levels.
It functions as a “key” that unlocks the body’s cells, allowing glucose (sugar) to enter. Glucose serves as the primary energy source that the body needs for daily functions.
When insulin functions properly, this “door” opens easily, enabling sugar to flow into the cells, providing them with the energy required to perform optimally.
Role of Insulin in the Body
- Regulating Blood Sugar Levels: Insulin ensures excess sugar is either stored or utilized, maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
- Converting Glucose to Energy: Insulin helps provide cells with the energy needed for the body’s daily activities.
- Storing Glucose as Fat: When there is excess glucose, insulin helps store it as fat for later use.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance is a condition where the effect of insulin in the body weakens, meaning the body’s cells become less responsive to this vital hormone.
How can it be simplified?
Since insulin is the key that opens cell doors for glucose (sugar) to enter, in insulin resistance, these “locks” on the cell doors become harder to open or “rusty.” Consequently, sugar remains in the blood instead of entering the cells.
Causes of Insulin Resistance
Several factors contribute to developing insulin resistance, including:
- Obesity, especially in the abdominal area: Accumulated fat in the abdominal region (visceral fat) increases the risk of insulin resistance. These fats cause inflammation in the body, weakening the cells’ ability to respond to insulin.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Physical inactivity reduces muscle sensitivity to insulin. Regular exercise enhances muscles’ ability to effectively use glucose, improving insulin sensitivity.
- Diets High in Sugars and Refined Carbohydrates: Consuming large amounts of sugars and foods rich in refined carbohydrates (such as white bread and sweets) leads to consistently high blood glucose levels, placing additional pressure on the pancreas to release more insulin.
- Frequent Eating: Multiple meals throughout the day cause insulin levels to remain elevated continuously, overburdening the pancreas in the long term.
- Genetics: Genetic factors significantly influence the development of insulin resistance. A family history of diabetes or metabolic disorders increases the likelihood of developing insulin resistance.
- Chronic Stress: Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels, which can disrupt insulin function and increase resistance. Persistent stress also slows metabolism and causes fluctuations in blood glucose levels.
- Lack of Sleep: Insufficient or interrupted sleep negatively affects insulin sensitivity and disrupts hunger- and satiety-related hormone levels, leading to increased calorie intake and impaired insulin response.
- Aging: As people age, the body may become less responsive to insulin. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can mitigate this effect.
What is the Difference Between Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes?
- Insulin Resistance: It is an early stage that can progress to type 2 diabetes if left uncontrolled. The body produces insulin but does not use it effectively.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Occurs when the body stops producing sufficient insulin or becomes unable to use it entirely.
