Hey Team,

My main goal is to help people improve their health in the long term. To achieve this, we offer different layers of health information. Some topics may focus on back pain, while others may cover grounding work. We try to enlighten people on many aspects of health they may still need to consider. 

Regarding our health, we have a choice to be proactive or reactive. Opting for the proactive approach is not just a good idea; it's the best one. Unfortunately, many people wait until they receive a troubling blood test result or notice physical symptoms before they start taking care of their health. This reactive approach can make addressing health issues more challenging and even lead to further complications. By choosing to be proactive, you're taking the first step towards a healthier future.

A crucial element of our health and wellness is that it is an ongoing process rather than a final destination. With knowledge and action, we can consistently enhance it. Today, I want to discuss an essential baseline for improving your health, no matter where you start. 

The Role Of Insulin In The Body:

Insulin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating your body's metabolism. It binds to receptors on every cell in your body, facilitating the use of glucose for energy. The primary aim of insulin is to lower your blood glucose levels. The term 'blood glucose' refers to the amount of sugar in your bloodstream; insulin is necessary to transport glucose into your cells. However, excess insulin in your system can lead to fatigue and other health issues. 

Health Concerns Involving Insulin Resistance:

So, let's delve deeper into the topic of insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a component of metabolic syndrome, encompassing a cluster of symptoms, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and central obesity. If you experience insulin resistance along with any of these other symptoms, you may have metabolic syndrome. 

Additional Health Issues Caused By Insulin Resistance:

Insulin resistance is essentially what leads to diabetes. Previously, we discussed insulin and how it regulates blood sugar levels but also affects diabetes. The most important thing we need to remember is that every cell in the body has a receptor for insulin, making it the second most powerful hormone in the body after cortisol. Insulin is not only responsible for bringing down blood sugar levels but also for promoting growth, which is why we see gestational diabetes in pregnant women.

However, excess insulin can also lead to fat production and hypertrophy of fat cells, resulting in visceral obesity and fatty liver disease. The liver is the first organ to be affected by insulin resistance because it's where the body absorbs blood sugar and packages it into glycogen. Once those cells in the liver become resistant to insulin, the body has to produce more insulin to get the blood glucose levels back down. This cycle can lead to fatty liver disease and increase the risk of type 3 diabetes, which science is now associating with Alzheimer's disease.

How To Check For Insulin Resistance:

It is possible to be insulin-resistant and not be diabetic. To become less insulin resistant, it's essential to identify your risk. You can start by getting a blood glucose meter to measure your fasting blood glucose level, which should be below 87 after 10 hours of not eating. The lower the level, the better. A fasting insulin test is more critical than a fasting blood glucose test to understand your actual level of insulin sensitivity, but it is at an extra cost. A fasting insulin test is not part of a standard blood panel; you must ask for it. 

The bottom line is to empower yourself to take control of your insulin levels with additional knowledge of insulin resistance. By understanding how insulin affects your body, you can make informed decisions and take the necessary steps to manage your insulin levels effectively before you are diagnosed with diabetes or metabolic syndrome.

Like physical therapy, we don't want to wait until you need a knee replacement. Instead, we should work on making you stronger and fitter now. The same applies to your overall health.

Overall, please don't hesitate to ask me any questions about this topic. I am passionate about helping you be proactive and avoid significant health issues in the future.

• The author, Rob Sumner, is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, Athletic Trainer, owner of Specialized Strength Fitness, Specialized Massage and Specialized Physical Therapy in Colville. He's happy to answer any questions about this article, wellness, fitness, or your health overall by phone at (509) 684-5621 or by email at Rob@SumnerPT.com