|
Insulin, Obesity and
Insulin-Resistance-Syndrome |
Carbs in Food |
|
Information About Carbs | Carbohydrates Guide | Low Carb Diets |
Insulin, Weight Gain and ObesityHigh Levels of InsulinAlthough the exact relationship between insulin, obesity and insulin resistance remains unclear, studies indicate that high levels of insulin circulating in the bloodstream (hyperinsulimia, hyperinsulinemia) can lead to (1) increased storage of fat, leading to obesity (2) hypertension (raised blood pressure), and (3) atherosclerosis (hardening/clogging of the arteries). Furthermore, when combined with impaired beta-cell function (beta cells are pancreatic cells that produce insulin), insulin resistance typically leads to type 2 diabetes. Is Obesity Caused by Insulin?Obesity and excessive insulin levels are associated conditions, (for example, hyperinsulimia can occur at an early stage of childhood obesity), but whether obesity causes the high levels of insulin or vice versa, is not clear. Even if hyperinsulimia does cause obesity, it is not clear what preventative measures can be taken as the precise causes of hyperinsulinism are uncertain. Faulty genes are a possible cause, as well as family health history and lifestyle aggravations such as unhealthy diet and lack of exercise. What does seem clear is that impaired glucose/insulin function, leading to unstable blood glucose levels, can contribute to see-saw episodes of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, which in turn may trigger patterns of disordered eating leading to weight gain and the accumulation of excessive body fat. Insulin Resistance SyndromeHyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance and obesity are two of the cluster of symptoms which comprise the condition known as insulin resistance syndrome (also known as Metabolic Syndrome X), which has implications for other serious diseases like cardiovascular disease. |
|
Carbs-Information.com provides general information about the glycemic index (GI), glycemic load (GL), low GI diets, GI values for all food groups, health problems of high blood glucose including metabolic disorders such as pre-diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinism as well as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But no information is intended as a substitute for medical advice. Copyright 2003-2013. |