Insulin Resistance

Also known as:  Glucose Intolerance;  Insulin Insensitivity;  Metabolic Syndrome;  Prediabetes;  Syndrome X

Insulin Resistance is a condition that involves a decrease in the sensitivity of the body’s Cells to the actions of Insulin (i.e. a decrease in Insulin Sensitivity).  Insulin Resistance is characterized by decreased sensitivity of Insulin Receptors for Insulin.  This lack of sensitivity to the effects of Insulin results in ever-increasing production of Insulin, to the extent that dangerously high levels of Insulin can occur.

 25% of the population of the United States has Insulin Resistance (presumably this statistic would apply also to most other Western nations):

 6.7% of persons aged 20 - 29 have Insulin Resistance.

 43.5% of persons aged 60 - 70 have Insulin Resistance

 Insulin Resistance - Treatments

Vitamins

 Insulin facilitates the transport of Vitamin C into Cells and the Insulin Resistance that afflicts Diabetes Mellitus patients may therefore impair the transport of Vitamin C into Cells. 

Alkaloids

 Excessive Caffeine consumption may cause Insulin Resistance.  ^[2]

Amino Acids

 Homocysteine may cause Insulin Resistance.  ^[3]

Carbohydrates

 Excessive consumption of Carbohydrates may cause Insulin Resistance:  ^[4]

 Excessive consumption of Fructose may cause Insulin Resistance.  ^[5]

 Excessive consumption of Sucrose may cause Insulin Resistance.  ^[6]

 It has been suggested that supplemental Glucosamine may increase the risk of Insulin Resistance:  ^[7]

 However the studies that have suggested that Glucosamine increases Insulin Resistance have used intravenously-administered Glucosamine at doses that far exceed the amount of Glucosamine used in oral supplements. 

 There are no human case reports of Glucosamine supplementation causing Insulin Resistance.

 An animal study has demonstrated that Glucosamine does NOT cause Insulin Resistance.

Hormones

 Excessive production of Cortisol may cause Insulin Resistance in the Muscles.  ^[8]

 Exogenous Estrogens may increase the risk of Insulin Resistance in postmenopasual women using Estrogens as part of Hormone Replacement Therapy.  ^[9]

 Excessive endogenous production or release of Insulin may cause Insulin Resistance (via a Negative Feedback Mechanism).