People with peripheral insulin resistance have built up a tolerance to the hormone, making it less effective. Normally when a person eats a meal, high blood sugar levels trigger the pancreas to produce insulin. Insulin then induces the cells to take up the glucose in the blood, which they either turn into fat or energy. This in turn causes blood glucose levels to fall into a normal range. However, in peripheral insulin resistance, the cells do not respond to the insulin’s signal as well and blood sugar is left in the bloodstream.
When peripheral insulin resistance begins, the pancreas responds by deploying greater amounts of insulin to keep the cells energized and the glucose levels under control. Overtime, the cells become resistant to these insulin levels as well, the same way a person becomes tolerant to a drug in time. Beta cells that make insulin begin to wear out when this happens and the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin. This results in higher blood sugar levels and eventually type-2 diabetes.
Treating Peripheral Insulin Resistance
It has been shown time and time again that increasing the sensitivity of peripheral insulin receptors reduce hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperinsulinemia (high levels of insulin in the blood). Insulin sensitization can be accomplished by aerobic exercise, the reduction of excess body fat, and a diet which is low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates, according to Rice.edu. In addition, the webpage notes that in third world countries, atherosclerotic disease was practically unheard of until the introduction of the high fat Western diet.
A person with peripheral insulin resistance should change their diet to include lot of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins. Exercising for at least 30 minutes every day will bring about many changes in your health as well. Remember, that the key to treating peripheral insulin resistance is losing excess weight.
For some people dietary and lifestyle changes are not enough. If you feel that you have a problem with your metabolism, speak to your doctor. Insulin resistance can be confirmed through testing. There are many insulin-altering medications that you can try. Metformin is usually the first choice of most doctors. This particular drug increases the cell’s sensitivity to insulin and suppresses the glucose production in the liver. There are other drugs that can be prescribed as well. Many people have found great success reducing insulin resistance by combining lifestyle changes with medication (About.com, 2012).
