
Insulin is an essential hormone manufactured in your pancreas. It’s
secreted when your blood glucose levels rise, which happens when you eat.
When your body is functioning as it should, there’s no need to worry
about your insulin levels. So, if you’re having trouble
losing weight despite your best efforts, it may be time to talk to a doctor about whether
you might have insulin resistance.
Understanding Insulin Resistance
Essentially, insulin acts like a doorman. It lets the cells know that there’s
glucose in the bloodstream that can enter the cells to be converted into
energy. But sometimes, the
cells don’t respond to insulin the way they should. Insulin resistance means that the cells aren’t
taking in enough glucose. As a result, glucose in the bloodstream stays
atypically high, and the pancreas secretes increasingly high levels of
insulin in an ineffective attempt to fix the problem. Insulin resistance
is a precursor to diabetes.
Identifying the Signs of Insulin Resistance
When insulin resistance develops and the pancreas secretes excessive amounts
of insulin, it becomes more challenging to burn body fat. This is because
insulin triggers the storage of fat. If you have insulin resistance, you’ve
probably experienced challenges with losing weight, and you may have the
following:
- Fatigue
- Bloating
- Increased abdominal fat
- Sugar cravings
Changing Your Diet
Medications may be helpful in some cases, but diet and exercise will always
be necessary to reverse insulin resistance, lose weight, and prevent diabetes.
The hallmark characteristic of a diet for insulin resistance is strict
limitations on refined carbohydrates. Refined carbs spike blood glucose.
They’re found in items like cake, white bread, white pasta, soda,
and fruit juice. Instead, choose high-fiber foods with complex carbohydrates,
such as vegetables, fresh fruit, and whole, unprocessed grains like oatmeal.
Beans and legumes are excellent choices for people with insulin resistance.
Exercising to Improve Insulin Sensitivity
Exercise is a significant component of your weight loss program. Consistent
workouts over time can actually improve the ability of your cells to respond
to insulin. In addition to your regularly scheduled workout, try to be
more physically active throughout the day.
A structured weight loss program available in Frisco will give you the
tools and resources you need to beat insulin resistance and reach your
target weight. Contact Texas Medical Weight Loss Clinic at (972) 762-3403
and get started working toward a healthier you. We offer in-depth medical
evaluations, exercise guidance, and dietary counseling.