What is insulin resistance? Does this mean you have type 2 diabetes?
If you are told you have insulin resistance, you may ask these questions.
Insulin resistance means that your body is not responding properly to the insulin you produce. Over time, insulin resistance raises blood sugar levels, which can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease, but not necessarily to diabetes and heart disease. Exercise and a good diet can help keep you healthy.
How is insulin resistance diagnosed?
You can’t tell if you have insulin resistance by how you feel; you need a blood test to check your blood sugar levels.
Likewise, people do not know if they have any of the other conditions in insulin resistance syndrome (hypertension, low “good” cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia) without being seen.
Simple lifestyle changes can help
For people with existing insulin resistance, there are options to take actions that can help with health.
- Exercise: Get at least 30 minutes of moderate activity (such as brisk walking) every day, 5 or more days a week. If you are not currently able to do so, continue to work toward that goal.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Maintain a healthy weight: If you are unsure of your normal weight or how to reach your weight loss goal, talk to your doctor. Also talk to a nutritionist and personal trainer about this.
- Eat right: Try to choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, beans, fish, legumes and other lean proteins.
- Individual patients with insulin resistance may also need to take metformin.