It’s a common myth that type 2 diabetes is caused by eating too much sugar. But the reality is, type 2 diabetes is a complex disease with many different causes. One of the most important causes of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. But what exactly is insulin resistance? And how does it cause type 2 diabetes? In this blog post, we’ll explore the answers to these questions and more. So read on to learn more about insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. It occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or your body can’t effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin resistance is the most common cause of type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can also be caused by other conditions, such as pregnancy, excess weight, and stress.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance is a medical condition where your body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin. This can lead to high blood sugar levels, and over time, can damage the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and it is caused by a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors. One of the major risk factors for type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance.
People with insulin resistance are unable to properly use the insulin that their body produces. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body’s cells convert glucose (sugar) into energy. In people with insulin resistance, the cells don’t respond properly to insulin, so glucose can’t be used for energy.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys. People with insulin resistance are also at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
How does type 2 diabetes cause insulin resistance?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90-95% of all cases. It is characterized by insulin resistance, which means that the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin. When insulin resistance occurs, blood sugar levels increase and can lead to type 2 diabetes.
There are a number of factors that can contribute to insulin resistance, including genetics, obesity, and a sedentary lifestyle. Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed in adults over the age of 40, although it is becoming more common in children and adolescents due to the increasing rates of obesity.
untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, nerve damage, and blindness. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes (such as diet and exercise) and medication (such as metformin or insulin).
Symptoms of insulin resistance
Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high levels of blood sugar (glucose) and insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps transport glucose from the bloodstream into the cells, where it is used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, mostly the body may not produce enough insulin and as a result glucose builds up in the bloodstream and can’t be used by the cells for energy.
Symptoms of insulin resistance include:
– Fatigue
– Weight gain
– Increased hunger
– Irritability
– Blurred vision
– Slow healing of cuts and bruises
– Frequent infections
Treatments for insulin resistance
There are a few different treatments for insulin resistance. The first is to change your diet and exercise habits. This can be difficult, but it’s important to make these changes if you want to improve your insulin resistance.
Cutting out sugary foods and drinks, eating more fruits and vegetables, and getting regular exercise will all help improve insulin resistance.
If changing your diet and exercise habits doesn’t improve your insulin resistance, your doctor may prescribe medication. Metformin is a common medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar levels by making the body more sensitive to insulin.
If metformin doesn’t work, there are other medications that can be used, including injectable drugs like GLP-1 agonists and SGLT-2 inhibitors. These drugs work in different ways to help lower blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex condition that can cause insulin resistance. When the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to it, blood sugar levels can rise. If untreated, may lead to serious health complications over time, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney damage. If you have type 2 diabetes, working with your healthcare team to manage your blood sugar levels is essential to prevent these complications.
