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Insulin Resistance Syndrome means high insulin levels with LOW insulin action. The fat and muscle cells of the body become less responsive to insulin action. Insulin is needed to move the glucose from your blood into the cells where it is burned as energy. If your cells are not sensitive to insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream and causes damage to blood vessels. Your body responds by producing more insulin in an attempt to overpower the system.
Insulin resistance leads to diabetes AND cardiovascular disease - two of the most deadly, and expensive diseases in America. Cardiovascular disease leads to heart attacks and strokes. Diabetes can also cause cardiovascular disease as well as blindness, kideny failure, nerve damage and amputations. Insulin resistance can also cause reproductive problems and liver problems.
One in three adults in the U.S.A. have insulin resistance. Increaseing obesity among children, we are now starting to see insulin resistance in our teens and children.
Things that put you at risk for insulin resistance are:
- overweight or obesity: a waist measurement greater than 40 inches in men, 35 inches in women
- little or no physical activity
- over the age of 40
- high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels
- high risk ethnic background - Latino/Hispanic, African American, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander.
- Family history of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease
- glucose intolerance or "borderline diabetes"
- history of gestational diabetes, or delivering a baby that weighed over 9 pounds.
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