| To understand what insulin resistance (also referred to | | | | old or older); however children are being diagnosed |
| as IR) is, we must first understand what insulin is. It is a | | | | with it quite often. IR usually occurs before type 2 |
| hormone which is produced by beta cells which are | | | | diabetes develops, and this can sometimes be years |
| scattered throughout an organ called the pancreas. It is | | | | before. People that eventually are diagnosed with |
| then released into the blood stream where it travels | | | | Type 2 Diabetes may maintain normal insulin and blood |
| throughout the body. This is a very important hormone | | | | sugar levels for several years before IR develops. |
| which has a variety of actions within the body. Many | | | | When this happens, insulin levels are often high, there is |
| of insulin's actions are directed toward metabolism or | | | | central obesity, that is, the fat is usually centered |
| the control of lipids or fats, proteins and carbohydrates | | | | around one's middle, there are high cholesterol and |
| which are sugars and starches. It also regulates the | | | | triglyceride levels as well as high blood pressure. |
| body's cells including their growth. | | | | Metabolic syndrome is the result of these diseases |
| IR is a condition where the body's cells become | | | | occurring within your body. |
| resistant to insulin's effects, that is, the way in which a | | | | Insulin is responsible for causing our body's cells, |
| certain amount of insulin is reduced in the body. | | | | especially the cells in fat and muscles, to eliminate as |
| Therefore, the body needs higher amounts of insulin in | | | | well as utilize the glucose that is in the blood. This |
| order for the body to feel its effects. This resistance is | | | | allows the glucose level to be controlled by this |
| seen not only with the insulin that is within the body | | | | hormone that is found in the blood. It then binds to |
| (endogenous) or if it is given through means of an | | | | receptors on the cells' surfaces. Think of it as if it was |
| injection (exogenous). | | | | "rapping" on the doors of fat and muscle cells. When |
| What Causes IR? | | | | IR is present, the muscles are deaf to the "rapping" |
| IR can have several causes but more importantly | | | | and resist. This in turns signals the pancreas to |
| there seems to be a strong genetic factor which is | | | | produce more of this hormone. This will then cause the |
| also known as an inherited component. There are | | | | insulin level to rise and creates a louder rapping. |
| some medications that may lead to IR and it can often | | | | The cell resistance will continue increasing as time |
| be seen in the following conditions: | | | | progresses. If the pancreas is capable of producing |
| - Obesity | | | | enough of this hormone, the levels of blood glucose will |
| - Severe illness or infection | | | | be stable. If enough insulin isn't produced by the |
| - During steroid use | | | | pancreas and your levels elevate, primarily after you |
| - The metabolic syndrome | | | | eat when blood sugar levels are typically high and |
| - Pregnancy | | | | more of this hormone is needed at this time prior to a |
| - Stress | | | | state of fasting, Type 2 diabetes may very well be |
| The Relationship between Diabetes and IR | | | | present. |
| Type 2 Diabetes normally occurs in mid-life (40 years | | | | |