Diabetes is one of the more pervasive diseases affecting millions of Americans each day. As a result, it is not unusual that so many of our medical dollars go towards treating it. However, the number of people who eventually contract diabetes could be significantly decreased if many of them were diagnosed before they got the disease. And there is a very easy way to do this by simply testing for insulin resistance.
What is insulin resistance? Basically, it is a condition in which the body starts to have difficulty processing the glucose that is released into the bloodstream whenever we eat food. The worrisome fact is that, in this country, it is occurring earlier and earlier in the population. Already one in every 400 children or adolescents has diabetes. And, of the ones that don't have the disease, it is estimated that about 25% of them have some level of insulin resistance.
From a medical standpoint of pre-diagnosing diabetes, the important thing is that insulin resistance is usually a precursor to diabetes. But, by catching the condition at this stage, the person can often make dietary changes that can possibly delay or even prevent him from getting diabetes at all. The best way of identifying those at risk for insulin resistance is to simply look at its known risk factors.
One of the most prevalent risk factors is obesity. In particular it is the excess amount of visceral fat surrounding the abdomen that increases the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes. The solution here is simple - lose weight. However, the act of losing weight is one that frustrates millions of dieters and they are ultimately unable to follow through. But, if the person is able to lose weight, the body will often regain its ability to process glucose normally.
Testing for cholesterol levels is now a part of many people annual physical. If your HDL levels are significantly low, or if you have an unusually high triglyceride level, you are also at increased risk for developing insulin resistance.
And, finally, pregnant women have to pay particular attention to their glucose levels. At the time comes nearer to the birth of their child, the woman becomes increasingly at risk for developing insulin insensitivity.
The issue of insulin insensitivity is also especially important because, it is a sign that the person may be at risk for other diseases and abnormalities a well. Specifically, hypertension, the beginnings of coronary heart disease, and blood fat abnormalities are particularly related to the degree of insulin resistance.
By Alice Saracho
What is insulin resistance? Basically, it is a condition in which the body starts to have difficulty processing the glucose that is released into the bloodstream whenever we eat food. The worrisome fact is that, in this country, it is occurring earlier and earlier in the population. Already one in every 400 children or adolescents has diabetes. And, of the ones that don't have the disease, it is estimated that about 25% of them have some level of insulin resistance.
From a medical standpoint of pre-diagnosing diabetes, the important thing is that insulin resistance is usually a precursor to diabetes. But, by catching the condition at this stage, the person can often make dietary changes that can possibly delay or even prevent him from getting diabetes at all. The best way of identifying those at risk for insulin resistance is to simply look at its known risk factors.
One of the most prevalent risk factors is obesity. In particular it is the excess amount of visceral fat surrounding the abdomen that increases the risk of diabetes and pre-diabetes. The solution here is simple - lose weight. However, the act of losing weight is one that frustrates millions of dieters and they are ultimately unable to follow through. But, if the person is able to lose weight, the body will often regain its ability to process glucose normally.
Testing for cholesterol levels is now a part of many people annual physical. If your HDL levels are significantly low, or if you have an unusually high triglyceride level, you are also at increased risk for developing insulin resistance.
And, finally, pregnant women have to pay particular attention to their glucose levels. At the time comes nearer to the birth of their child, the woman becomes increasingly at risk for developing insulin insensitivity.
The issue of insulin insensitivity is also especially important because, it is a sign that the person may be at risk for other diseases and abnormalities a well. Specifically, hypertension, the beginnings of coronary heart disease, and blood fat abnormalities are particularly related to the degree of insulin resistance.
By Alice Saracho
Post a Comment