There are certain medical conditions that, if left uncheck, could result to the patient developing type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is one of them (although this medical phenomenon could actually continue even if the patient is already diabetic).

Insulin resistance usually occurs when normal amounts of insulin are inadequate in producing a normal insulin response from muscle, fat and liver cells. Insulin resistance in is one of the main factors that reduce the effects of insulin in our body. If left uncheck for extended periods, this may lead to metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes as well as its complications. Insulin resistance causes in quite a number of medical cases remains to be unknown to this day. Some studies, however, have lead medical experts to believe that there is a clear inherited component as some patients with a family diabetes history (specifically type 2) are found to have increased rates of insulin resistance. Most of these patients have already developed type 2 diabetes when the study was conducted. In some other clinical studies, experts have collected some convincing evidence that insulin resistance is related to a high carbohydrate diet.

Those who suffer from this medical condition often feel fatigued. Headache is one of the most common symptoms. The patient may also feel jittery, agitated and moody due to low blood sugar levels (the instant remedy is for patients to eat food). They may even have intestinal bloating as most intestinal gases are produced from carbohydrates in the diet. Sleepiness is another symptom of insulin resistance. Sufferers often feel sleepy almost instantly after consuming a meal composed of 20% to 30 % carbohydrates.

Those who are wondering why they gain weight so fast and have difficulty losing it no matter what type of exercise they do, may actually be suffering from insulin resistance. Some experts believe that the hormonal effects from too much fat deposit (especially around abdominal organs) are a precipitating cause of this medical condition. Increased blood pressure can also be a sign, as quite a high number of individuals with hypertension usually have elevated insulin levels. These individuals could either be diabetic or pre-diabetic. Deranged metabolism due to insulin resistance may also lead to depression among sufferers. Depression, experts believe, is the prevalent psychological symptom of this medical condition.

Exercise as well as weight loss are considered as the primary treatment for insulin resistance. But for some individuals a low-carbohydrate diet would also be beneficial. There are even studies that prove the effectiveness of exercise and diet in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes (the Diabetes Prevention Program have proven that the combination of diet and exercise is almost twice as effective than certain diabetes medications like metformin).

Even if we don’t have family history of certain medical conditions such as diabetes, it doesn’t mean that we will not develop it at a later stage. The truth is all of us are susceptible to illnesses and diseases. And if we don’t change our lifestyle—especially the way we take care of our health—we are likely to suffer in the long run.

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