Insulin is a hormone produced by pancreas to facilitate the blood glucose to be absorbed into muscle, fat and liver cells to generate energy. While we take glucose from food, it is also produced by the liver at fasting states. Its blood level is regulated by insulin at a certain range.

Insulin resistance develops when body cells that use glucose as a source of energy does not respond properly to insulin and therefore, blood glucose cannot be used easily. Insulin resistance has gradually become more prevalent both in adults and children as a result of dietary habits and inactive lifestyles. Obesity, high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia), hypertension and diabetes mellitus are called metabolic syndrome (a group of diseases paving the way for cardiovascular diseases) that develops on the background of insulin resistance. Onset of these diseases can be prevented if insulin resistance is detected and treated.

Insulin resistance can currently be detected easily through laboratory tests in several ways. Every individual with risk factor(s) should be tested for insulin resistance. Initially, unhealthy dietary habits should be corrected, overweight patients should lose weight and the patient should be encouraged to adopt a more active lifestyle as well as regularly exercise. Medication may be prescribed should insulin resistance persist despite all abovementioned measures.

Abdulvahap Doğan, M.D.