Insulin Resistance, Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Disorder
What do they ALL have in common?

Insulin resistance is a condition where the body produces insulin but does not use it correctly. When there is insulin resistance glucose builds up in the blood instead of being absorbed by the cells, leading to pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes (IDF, 2016). Metabolic syndrome, also called insulin resistance syndrome, is a group of traits and medical conditions linked to obesity, which puts people at risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (IDF, 2016).
Metabolic Syndrome is defined as the presence of any three of the following:

1. Large waist size
2. High triglycerides in the blood
3. High blood pressure
4. Higher then normal glucose levels.
It is important to mention that not all people with insulin resistance suffer from this disorder.
Clinical insulin resistance and pre-diabetes are likely to progress to type 2 diabetes if not targeted for early intervention.
What put´s us at RISK?
Most notable in the review of scientific studies is the relation between cardiovascular fitness, nutrition and insulin resistance. The major contributors to this condition are excess weight and physical inactivity. Experts believe that obesity, especially excess weight around the waist, is the primary cause. Studies have shown that belly fat produces hormones and other substances that can cause serious health problems such as insulin resistance, high blood pressure, imbalanced cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.

READY FOR THE GOOD NEWS?
With the appropriate management, in particular nutrition and lifestyle changes, these conditions are potentially reversible or at the very least their progression can be controlled. The Western diet has been linked to obesity and a series of different illnesses, including insulin resistance. A drastic change in our nutritional education and the way we relate to food is key in avoiding the ever-expanding health epidemic. Holistic nutrition and a shift towards more traditional food, has become key to addressing modern chronic disease

References
Mason, C., PhD, Foster-Schubert, K. E., MD, MSc, Imayama, I., MD, PhD, Kong, A., PhD, Duggan, C. R., PhD, Ulrich, C. M., PhD, McTiernan, A., MD, PhD (2011).Dietary Weight Loss and Exercise Effects on Insulin Resistance in Postmenopausal Women. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 41(4). doi:10.1016/s0749–3797(11)00551–4
Roberts, C. K., Hevener, A. L., & Barnard, R. J. (2013). Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance: Underlying Causes and Modification by Exercise Training. Comprehensive Physiology, 3(1), 1–58. http://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c110062
Song, M. Y., Kang, S. Y., Oh, T. W., Kumar, R. V., Jung, H. W., & Park, Y. (2015). The Roots of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi Enhanced Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in C2C12 Myotubes via Mitochondrial Regulation. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 1–10. doi:10.1155/2015/643654
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2014). Insulin Resistance and Prediabetes. Retrieved from: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/Diabetes/insulin-resistance-prediabetes/Pages/index.aspx
Weickert, M. O. (2012), What dietary modification best improves insulin sensitivity and why?. Clin Endocrinol, 77: 508–512. doi:10.1111/j.1365–2265.2012.04450.x


