Insulin is a hormone secreted from the pancreas and regulates the glucose metabolism. When making this regulation, insulin binds to a structure called the “insulin receptor” is thus activated. In case this receptor does not allow binding of insulin with any reason, insulin appears to be not performing its duty also it is present in the blood in a sufficient amount. Insulin resistance can be defined as the difficulty in the action of insulin, which is secreted to control glucose in the body. While it is possible to control the body glucose with 1 unit of insulin under normal conditions, secretion of 2-3 units of insulin in patients with insulin resistance. Amount of insulin required to ensure glucose control will increase with the increasing insulin resistance, which will mean insulin secretion in excessive amount.
Place of nutrition is very important for insulin resistance. Necessity of consuming high-calorie foods quickly coming together with lack of activity makes increase of adipose tissue in the waist line unavoidable, and this will initiate the insulin resistance syndrome.
Signs of insulin resistance can be listed as follows:
- Feeling tired more than usual or sleepiness after a heavy meal or eating sugary foods;
- Hand tremors and sweating after meals in relation with uncontrolled fall in blood glucose,
- Famishing,
- Inability to control weight gain,
- Starving for sugary foods frequently
- Fatigue
- Gradual increase of the waistline
- Darkening of the skin particularly under the arms, groins and neck (‘Acanthosis Nigricans’)
- Steatosis
- Irregular menstruation in females.
It is a must to apply to an endocrinologist or internalist as soon as the signs of insulin resistance are found out. The prioritized step in insulin resistance treatment is to change the lifestyle. Medical nutritional treatment, exercise and increasing the physical activity level and ensuring a sustainable regular sleeping pattern are important. The medical nutritional therapy in insulin resistance treatment will be determined uniquely according to the age, gender, physical activity and lifestyle of the individual. Blood test measuring the resistance level will be carried out in the first place in the treatment of insulin resistance level. Level can be returned to normal in individuals with high levels of resistance with treatments for 2 to 3 months or 6 months at the most. Obstacles against weight loss will be removed with returning the insulin resistance level to normal. Therefore, appetites of patient will rapidly fall, and they will lose weight. In addition, cardiac diseases and tendency for various cancer types and diabetes mellitus will be prevented.