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Valentina Ferragni, sister of the famous influencer Chiara, has recently turned the spotlight on a condition that can strike at any age, including children, overweight but also normal weight:insulin resistance. Weight gain and difficulty losing weight, fatigue and a dull mind with poor ability to concentrate are i first signs of the problem. It is important to discuss this with your doctor, also because proper nutrition and adequate physical activity can make the condition reversible.
What’s this
“The state of insulin resistance expresses the loss of metabolic health by a person,” says the prof. Pier Luigi Rossi, specialist in nutrition sciences and preventive medicine. “By this we mean a reduced response of the body’s cells insulin which, despite its greater presence, even when fasting fails to achieve its effects “.
But how does it develop? “The pancreas – explains the doctor – produces insulin after stimulation of the glycemia, a value that increases following the intake of dietary carbohydrates. Each cell of the human body has, on its cell membrane, receptors for the hormone insulin. The union between the receptor and the insulin activates the physiological reaction of the cell, which accepts the entry of the glucose inside to be used in order to obtain biochemical energy. Glucose turns into ribose, which is used for the production of DNA, RNA. But when the cell membrane does not have the receptors, insulin is present but cannot act, hence the term insulin resistance. Glucose does not enter the cell and therefore there is an increase in blood sugar. However, this glucose ends up inside the hepatocytes, liver cells, where it is first transformed into glycogen and then into fatty acids, causing an accumulation of visceral fat with all its consequences “.
Causes, risk factors and complications
The causes of insulin resistance are numerous. It can be caused by hormonal factors and familiarity (genetic components). In most cases, it affects people with cardiovascular disease (hypertension, elevated triglycerides in the blood, hypercholesterolemia …) and hepatic steatosis (fatty liver), pathologies that represent both causes and consequences of insulin resistance and which are often linked to an excess of visceral fat.
“All the main scientific researches – underlines prof. Pier Luigi Rossi – have shown that an excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the upper part of the body represents a pathological risk factor. Not surprisingly, who belongs to the so-called android biotype, characterized by the accumulation of fat mainly on the neck, shoulders, arms, breasts, thorax, lumbar and abdominal area, presents a higher risk to develop the condition of insulin resistance, where insulin is present without exercising its natural function. An excess of insulin in the blood causes significant oxidative stress and a diffuse state glycation of collagen (collagen joins glucose), with breakdown of the connective tissue and impaired cellular nutrition “.
“Having lost insulin sensitivity is a risk factor for diseases such as obesity, overweight, type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, arteriosclerosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, fatty liver disease non-alcoholic, cardiovascular disease, elevated blood triglycerides, cholesterol, uric acid, malignant tumors, decreased testosterone (in men) and metabolic syndrome. It is therefore necessary to act with conviction to eliminate it ”, suggests the expert.
Treatment and diet
The most effective and decisive treatment for insulin resistance is given by regular activity associated with slimming and the adoption of a personalized diet. Nutrition therefore plays a decisive role in this health condition.
“As mentioned, insulin resistance – explains the doctor – means the excessive presence of saturated fatty acids long-chain: one of these is called palmitic acid and derives from foods of animal origin, such as fatty meat, cured meats, cheeses, dairy product“.
“To overcome it – continues the expert – it is necessary to identify the right dose of carbohydrates daily, cut down on cheeses, meats, and meats with long-chain fatty acids and increase your intake of omega 3 fatty acids contained in oil seeds, fish and extra virgin olive oil. Green light to the fibers contained in vegetables and grains, in particular barley and whole oats, which are rich in a precious water-soluble fiber called inulin, capable of regulating blood glucose levels “.
“It is then important to do motor activity regularly ”, suggests prof. Pier Luigi Rossi. “The aerobic one, based on the legs, making at least 10 thousand steps a day, and the resistance one (weightlifting, elastic bands, handles with resistance) are perfect to increase the lean muscle mass of the upper limbs and trunk”.
Insulin resistance and weight loss
Those affected by this state, even without reaching type 2 diabetes, usually have considerable difficulty losing weight. “This is because his body is stuck in a pathological condition that favors the accumulation of fat mass, particularly in the abdomen. Until the state of insulin resistance is removed it is really challenging to reduce body weight ”, says the doctor. In fact, if, due to resistance, the levels of insulin in the blood increase, i fat taken through the diet will be pushed in greater proportions to be stored in the adipose tissue. At the same time, a high insulin value prevents stored fat from being released in order to produce energy for muscle cells. In fact, one of the first signs of a decline in insulin resistance is a greater capacity to focus and to maintain constant attention, in addition to the “unblocking” of weight loss.
How is it diagnosed
Finding out if you have this condition is pretty simple. “We need two simple values that can be extrapolated from blood tests: glycemia is insulinemia without food. With these parameters you can calculate the HOMA Index (Homeostasis Model Assessment), which is obtained through this formula: Fasting blood glucose (mg / 100ml) x fasting insulin (mUI / mL) / 405. I normal range values they are between 0.23 and 2.5 (for adults); 0.25 and 3.6 (for children). If the value obtained is higher than these parameters – concludes prof. Pier Luigi Rossi – it means that the person is in a condition of insulin resistance ”.
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