Unlocking the Mystery of Insulin Resistance
By Priyanka, MD
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar. When you eat carbohydrates, glucose enters the bloodstream and insulin helps transport it into cells. In insulin resistance, cells become less responsive, the pancreas overproduces insulin, and a vicious cycle begins.
The connection with obesity
Excess fat — especially abdominal — strongly correlates with insulin resistance. Adipose tissue releases substances that interfere with insulin's function. High insulin also signals the body to store more fat, perpetuating the cycle.
Diagnosing insulin resistance
Clues include acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, PCOS, OGTT, elevated fasting glucose, pre-diabetes (elevated HbA1c), and diabetes. Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and NMR LipoProfile are increasingly used for earlier diagnosis.
Addressing it
- Lifestyle: exercise, whole-food diet, stress management
- Medications: Metformin, thiazolidinediones, GLP-1 agonists (semaglutide), GLP-1+GIP agonists (tirzepatide)
- Bariatric surgery for severe obesity
- Individualized, personalized treatment plans
At AllWell Clinic, an Obesity Medicine Board-certified MD works closely with you to develop sustainable strategies.