Diabesity
What Is Insulin Resistance? Symptoms and Causes
Written by Dr. Ajay V. Kaduskar, Diabetologist, Nagpur
MD (Medicine), PGDHSc (Diabetology), FEACD (The Netherlands)
Published · 4 min read
Quick answer
Insulin resistance means the body's cells do not respond well to insulin, the hormone that moves sugar from the blood into the cells. The pancreas makes more insulin to compensate. Over time, it can no longer keep up, and blood sugar rises. It is closely linked to excess belly fat, inactivity, poor sleep and family history, and it can improve with weight loss, exercise and healthy eating.
Insulin resistance is one of the most common hidden problems in modern life. It can be present for many years before blood sugar rises to the diabetes range. Spotting it early gives you the best chance to prevent diabetes and other health problems.
What does insulin do?
After a meal, blood sugar rises. Insulin acts like a key, unlocking the cells of the muscles, liver and fat so that sugar can enter and be used for energy. This keeps blood sugar in a healthy range.
What goes wrong in insulin resistance?
The cells become "deaf" to insulin. Sugar stays in the blood, so the pancreas releases extra insulin. High insulin levels cause weight gain, particularly around the belly, and make the resistance worse. Over the years, the pancreas may fail to keep up, leading to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
What are the symptoms?
Many people have no symptoms. Signs that may suggest it include:
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A large waist (for Indians, more than about 90 cm in men and 80 cm in women)
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Dark, velvety skin patches on the neck, armpits or groin (acanthosis nigricans)
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Skin tags
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Tiredness, especially after meals
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Increased hunger and sugar cravings
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Difficulty losing weight
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Irregular periods or acne in women with PCOS
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Fatty liver on ultrasound
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High blood pressure, triglycerides or low HDL cholesterol
How is it diagnosed?
There is no single routine test. Doctors look at the pattern: waist size, BMI, blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, lipid profile and sometimes fasting insulin levels. A diagnosis of prediabetes or metabolic syndrome often signals insulin resistance.
How can you improve it?
Move more
Aim for at least 150 minutes of brisk activity a week and add strength training twice a week. Muscle uses sugar and improves insulin response.
Eat well
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Choose whole grains, pulses, vegetables and nuts.
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Reduce sweets, sugary drinks, white bread and fried snacks.
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Fill half your plate with vegetables, and include protein at each meal.
Lose excess weight
Even a loss of 5 to 10 percent of body weight can improve insulin sensitivity.
Sleep and stress
Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep. Treat sleep apnoea if present. Manage stress with walking, yoga or meditation.
Medicines
Metformin and other medicines may help in selected people, such as those with prediabetes at high risk, PCOS or type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 medicines can help in people with obesity.
When should you see a doctor?
Get tested if you have a large waist, a family history of diabetes, skin changes, PCOS, high blood pressure or cholesterol, or fatty liver. Early testing can prevent progression.
In short
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Insulin resistance means cells respond poorly to insulin.
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It often comes with belly fat, inactivity and poor sleep.
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Many people have no symptoms, but signs include dark skin patches and a large waist.
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Exercise, healthy eating and weight loss can improve it.
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Early testing helps prevent type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance is a warning, not a sentence. Acting early gives you a lot of control. For a personal assessment, consult Dr. Ajay V. Kaduskar, a diabetologist at Niramay Clinics in Nagpur.
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
It is when the body's cells do not respond well to insulin, so sugar stays in the blood and the pancreas has to make more insulin. Over time, this can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
A large waist, dark skin patches on the neck or armpits, skin tags, tiredness after meals, strong cravings and difficulty losing weight can be signs. Many people have no symptoms.
It can often be improved significantly through weight loss, exercise, better sleep and healthy eating. Early action gives the best results.
Doctors use waist size, BMI, blood pressure, blood sugar, HbA1c and lipid levels. Fasting insulin may be checked in some cases. Diagnosis considers the whole picture.
No. People with normal weight can have it, especially South Asians with belly fat, PCOS or a family history of diabetes. Waist size matters more than weight alone.
Sugary drinks, sweets, refined flour products, fried snacks and large portions of white rice can worsen it. Choose whole foods, pulses, vegetables and protein instead.
Related reading
- Full guide: diabetes and obesity
- Belly Fat, Diabetes and Metabolic Health: Why Waist Matters
- Prediabetes HbA1c: What the Number Means
- How Much Weight Loss Can Improve Type 2 Diabetes?
- Why Is Weight Loss So Hard With Type 2 Diabetes?
- What Is Diabesity? Understanding Diabetes and Obesity Together
If you would like advice suited to your own reports and medicines, you can book an appointment or visit Niramay Clinics in Dhantoli, Nagpur.
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