8 Common Health Problems Due to Insulin Resistance

Individuals with insulin resistance may experience fatigue, muscle pain, mood swings, and digestive problems, often unaware of the condition's relation to these symptoms.

8 Common Health Problems Due to Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a major health problem worldwide. However, many people are unaware that they have this metabolic disorder.

Individuals who suffer from insulin resistance may experience low energy levels, muscle and joint pain, mood swings, and gastrointestinal issues without realizing that these symptoms are directly linked to their condition.

Insulin resistance has a negative impact on immune function and can exacerbate inflammatory flare-ups in patients with autoimmune or chronic diseases, leading to a decline in their overall health.

Insulin resistance occurs when cells become less responsive to insulin. If we consume more sugar than our cells can use, our cells stop responding to insulin to avoid taking in too much sugar. This leads to an increase in insulin release, which disrupts how the body manages energy, inflammation, immune function, and overall health.

When we eat foods containing sugar like sweets, honey, fruits, and fruit juice, or foods that quickly turn into sugar upon ingestion, like bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes, sugar levels in our blood substantially increase.

Individuals with insulin resistance may face a range of health issues, such as:

1. Borderline elevated blood sugar levels: Normal blood sugar levels range between 75-100 mg/dL. If the levels are between 100-125 mg/dL, it indicates prediabetes, and if it's above 126 mg/dL, it indicates type 2 diabetes. People with insulin resistance are more likely to have glucose levels above 100 mg/dL, which significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes^[1].

2. Increased fat deposition in the abdominal area: Insulin resistance hinders the process of burning fat and leads to an increase in fat storage, especially in the abdominal region. Normal or low body weight does not exclude the presence of increased visceral fat. Even individuals with normal or low body weight can have increased visceral fat due to insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance disrupts how the body manages energy, inflammation, immune function, and overall health.

3. High blood pressure: Insulin resistance can lead to hypertension, which increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

4. Abnormal lipid levels: Insulin resistance is associated with elevated levels of triglycerides and reduced levels of "good" cholesterol (HDL), which increases the risk of heart disease. Contrary to popular belief, high triglyceride levels are not primarily caused by a high-fat diet. Instead, the primary culprits are foods that contain processed carbohydrates, such as fructose and sugar^[2].

5. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Insulin resistance is a major contributor to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is a hormonal disorder affecting up to one in five women of reproductive age. When a woman has insulin resistance, her body produces more androgen hormones, which can cause disruptions in ovulation, menstrual cycles, and can lead to infertility, growth of excessive hair, acne, and other health problems^[3].

6. Sleep apnea: Insulin resistance is associated with an increased risk of sleep apnea, a condition where a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep, leading to sleep disruption, hypertension, arrhythmias, and other health issues.

7. Fatty liver disease: Fatty liver, also known as liver steatosis, is a condition where fat accumulates in the liver due to insulin resistance. This condition affects around one in four adults in Europe and can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders^[4-6].

8. Chronic inflammation: Insulin is a growth factor that promotes inflammation and cell proliferation. Elevated insulin levels are associated with diseases characterized by chronic inflammation such as cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, cancer, and obesity^[7].

Insulin resistance is a prevalent health issue in many people in the USA and Europe. It is a condition that can be improved and mainly caused by our current lifestyle and diet^[8,9].

Lack of physical activity, consumption of processed foods that stimulate insulin release, along with and inadequate intake of essential vitamins and nutrients that help insulin function effectively, gradually reduce our body's sensitivity to insulin.

In people with insulin resistance, muscle, liver, and fat cells do not respond efficiently to insulin, making it challenging for glucose to enter them.

However, the good news is that insulin resistance is a metabolic disorder that can be modified.

Correcting body deficiencies, improving lifestyle and diet can help reverse insulin resistance, improving disease outcomes for patients with autoimmune and chronic conditions.

If deficiencies and metabolic disorders causing insulin resistance are not managed, it becomes difficult to resolve, leading to a steady deterioration of health.

Body Deficiencies & Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a central factor in the development and progression of autoimmune diseases, often occurring in conjunction with marginal deficiencies in micronutrients.

The lack of essential nutrients often goes undetected for years and can lead to diseases - a condition known as "hidden hunger"^[10-12].

To maintain the healthy functioning of our metabolism and manage insulin resistance, it's necessary to ensure that we consume sufficient quantities of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. Here are some of the essential nutrients required for this^[13-18]:

Proper secretion and functioning of insulin: magnesium, chromium, B vitamins, vitamin K2, vitamin D3, and probiotics.
Optimal functioning of the body's healing processes: vitamin C, zinc, vitamin E, amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamin D3.
Management of chronic inflammation: omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin C, vitamin D3, and probiotics.
For optimal immune system function: vitamin D3, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, zinc.

Deficiencies in these micronutrients disrupt immune cells and are directly linked to autoimmunity.

Deficiencies in micronutrients and vitamins involved in the body's metabolic processes adversely affect health, facilitate the development of insulin resistance, hinder tissue healing, and promote chronic inflammation.

However, it's encouraging that this metabolic disorder can be resolved with medical interventions concerning lifestyle, correcting body deficiencies, and diet.

Early detection and treatment are crucial to determine an individual's health course.

Specialized Tests Identify Metabolic Disorders Related to Insulin Resistance

It's heartening to know that insulin resistance caused by lifestyle-related factors, body deficiencies, and diet can be detected, addressed, and resolved.

Individuals with autoimmune or chronic illnesses who are dealing with metabolic disorders must determine the precise deficiencies that are impacting their health, as these deficiencies are directly associated with the presence of insulin resistance.

Until a few years ago, it was challenging to detect deficiencies and metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance in individuals using conventional measurement methods. Therefore, general guidelines were used for their correction.

However, in recent years, a new type of test has been developed that measures small molecules in the body to accurately identify deficiencies and metabolic disorders that impact an individual's health.

Metabolomic analyses measure small molecules, detecting micronutrient deficiencies and allowing for a comprehensive plan to address insulin resistance^[19-22].

Over 80 markers directly related to an individual's health are detected with these tests. The tests identify deficiencies in vitamins and other elements, and metabolic disorders related to:

Insulin resistance
Sugar metabolism
Lipid metabolism
Inflammation management
Energy production
Gut microbial flora condition
Immune system function
Hormonal system function

The test results are provided with a personalized therapeutic plan for every patient. This plan requires regular medical monitoring.

The treatment includes vitamins and micronutrients, dietary advice, and lifestyle recommendations based on the results of the tests.

It's important to note that marginal nutrient deficiencies accumulate over time and lead to diseases. Therefore, it takes time and effort to correct them.

The first step towards addressing a medical condition is undergoing the tests. After that, the physician creates a personalized therapeutic plan for each patient based on the test results.

The patient then implements the treatment plan to improve their health, which requires commitment from the patient, and consistent monitoring by the medical team.

It usually takes around 6-8 months to observe significant improvements, and a year to stabilize the body at a healthier functional level.

Medical lifestyle interventions, correction of micronutrient deficiencies, and dietary changes can effectively resolve insulin resistance and improve health:

Reduce fatigue and increase energy levels
Improve metabolism, weight loss, and reduce visceral fat
Improve the daily life of individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases such as Hashimoto's disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis
Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes
Improve sugar and lipid metabolism
Reduce inflammatory flare-ups of chronic diseases.

Our clinical experience shows that correcting nutrient deficiencies, restoring metabolism, and achieving a healthy body weight can significantly improve health outcomes for individuals with insulin resistance^[14-17].

Prompt intervention to restore these aspects is critical to prevent health deterioration.

Bibliographic References

[1] Association between prediabetes and risk of all cause mortality and cardiovascular disease: updated meta-analysis BMJ 2020 https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m2297

[2] The Evidence for Saturated Fat and for Sugar Related to Coronary Heart Disease Author links open overlay panelJames J. DiNicolantonio et al. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases 2016. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0033062015300256?via%3Dihub

[3] Insulin resistance in polycystic ovary syndrome across various tissues: an updated review of pathogenesis, evaluation, and treatment Han Zhao et al. Journal of Ovarian Research, 2023 https://ovarianresearch.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13048-022-01091-0

[4] Cellular mechanism of insulin resistance in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Naoki Kumashiro et al. PNAS 2011. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1113359108

[5] Obesity epidemic results in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) becoming the most common cause of liver disease in Europe. 26 09 2019 - EASL

[6] Fructose and sugar: A major mediator of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Thomas Jensen et al. J Hepato. 2018 May.

[7] Trends in insulin resistance: insights into mechanisms and therapeutic strategy Mengwei Li et al. Nature Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy. 2022 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-01073-0

[8] Only 12 percent of American adults are metabolically healthy, study finds https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181128115045.htm

[9] The Global Epidemic of the Metabolic Syndrome Mohammad G. Saklayen Curr Hypertens Rep. 2018

[10] Hidden Hunger in the Developed World. Biesalski HK. The Road to Good Nutrition. Basel, Karger, 2013, pp 39–50 https://doi.org/10.1159/000355992

[11] Low micronutrient intake may accelerate the degenerative diseases of aging through allocation of scarce micronutrients by triage. Bruce N. Ames. PNAS 2006. https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/103/47/17589.full.pdf

[12] Prolonging healthy aging: Longevity vitamins and proteins Bruce N. Ames PNAS October 23, 2018. https://www.pnas.org/content/115/43/10836

[13] Dietary micronutrients in the wake of COVID-19: an appraisal of evidence with a focus on high-risk groups and preventative healthcare. McAuliffe S, Ray S, Fallon E, et al. BMJ Nutr Prev Heal 2020:bmjnph-2020-000100.

[14] Insulin Resistance and Vitamin D Deficiency: A Link Beyond the Appearances. Valentina Trimarco et al. Front. Cardiovasc. Med., 17 March 2022

[15] Role of Minerals and Trace Elements in Diabetes and Insulin Resistance Pallavi Dubey et al. Nutrients. 2020

[16] Effects of Magnesium Deficiency on Mechanisms of Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes: Focusing on the Processes of Insulin Secretion and Signaling Krasimir Kostov Int J Mol Sci. 2019

[17] Effect of supplementation with vitamins D3 and K2 on undercarboxylated osteocalcin and insulin serum levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial J. I. Aguayo-Ruiz et al. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome August 2020

[18] Dietary factors in rheumatic autoimmune diseases: a recipe for therapy? Shani Dahan, Yahel Segal1 and Yehuda Shoenfeld. NATURE REVIEWS | RHEUMATOLOGY. 13 Apr 2017.

[19] Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of Serum Fatty Acids for the Prediction of Autoimmune Diseases. Dimitris Tsoukalas, Vassileios Fragoulakis, Evangelia Sarandi et. al. Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, Metabolomics, 2019.

[20] Prediction of Autoimmune Diseases by Targeted Metabolomic Assay of Urinary Organic Acids. Dimitris Tsoukalas et al. Metabolites. 2020 Dec 8.
[21] Non-communicable Diseases in the Era of Precision Medicine: An Overview of the Causing Factors and Prospects. Dimitris Tsoukalas et al. Bio#Futures. Springer, Cham. May 2021.
[22] Micronutrient deficiencies in patients with COVID-19: how metabolomics can contribute to their prevention and replenishment. Dimitris Tsoukalas^1,2and Evangelia Sarandi^2,3BMJ Nutri Prev Heal. Nov. 2020; bmjnph-2020-000169

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