What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance is a type of medical condition that commonly happens in people with diabetes. This condition occurs when the cells do not respond properly or normally to the supply of insulin in the body. It’s been recognized that insulin plays a vital role in the conversion of glucose into energy that the body needs. However, when insulin resistance happens, the glucose is blocked from entering the cells. This occurrence leads to glucose conversion into fat.
Aside from its function in stabilizing the blood sugar levels of the body, insulin also assists in the breakdown of proteins and fats from food intake. It works by stimulating fat cells, liver cells, and even the muscles to enable glucose absorption and use the by-product as energy. However, when glucose production is more than what the body needs, the excess glucose is converted into fat.
Following the conversion of glucose into fat, it is then stored for a long time. Moreover, when a person, especially a diabetic, eats food with too many calories, it will add to the stored fat and will eventually lead to weight gain. So, to ask if insulin resistance has a strong association with weight gain, the answer is YES.
Rapid or not, weight gain is one of the major health complications that diabetic people often experience. Although the most widely used treatment in diabetes is insulin, when resistance occurs, gaining weight is very possible. Because of this, it is necessary for diabetics to follow a proper diet and regular exercise to resolve this health concern and prevent obesity from happening.
Diabetic individuals who have been experiencing insulin resistance may need to cut or minimize their carbohydrate consumption. The following are some of the smart tips that they can follow and practice on a daily basis.
- Measure the amount of food they consume during mealtime.
- Exercising regularly helps a lot in losing weight. By exercising, you help your body burn calories and fat.
- Getting 7-8 hours of sleep helps in maintaining insulin sensitivity.
- Following a healthy diet helps in preventing a probable weight gain. It is also recommended to create a daily meal plan containing the right food to eat during mealtime. Some of the recommended foods are fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, chicken, yogurt, and even whole grains.
- Avoid eating unhealthy foods, such as processed foods and any type of goodies containing lots of sugar. Unhealthy foods only contribute to the surge of blood glucose in the body.
Diabetic individuals are often advised to control their weight. Doing the mentioned tips and recommendations can help in maintaining their body weight and prevent obesity. Note that insulin resistance and weight gain can lead to type 2 diabetes, the more chronic type of diabetes. Aside from following a strict insulin medication, it is also necessary to remain healthy by following the right diet and proper exercise. Furthermore, diabetics must ensure to always visit their physician to know of their progress and how to better manage their condition.
