Insulin Resistance Linked to Increased Risk of 31 Diseases

In the early stages of insulin resistance, blood sugar levels typically remain within the normal range as the body compensates by producing more insulin to regulate blood glucose. However, the pancreatic beta cells responsible for insulin production can become overworked and gradually lose functionality. Over time, this dysfunction may lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes, as these cells can no longer produce enough insulin to meet the body’s needs.

Insulin not only regulates blood sugar metabolism but also plays a crucial role in fat metabolism, Jeng said. In the early stages of insulin resistance, high insulin levels cause fat to “relocate,” moving from fat cells around the body to the liver, which increases the risk of fatty liver disease. The liver subsequently converts this fat into large amounts of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), potentially harming vascular health.



By comparing brain images across various age groups using data from the UK Biobank, the researchers found that even patients with mild insulin resistance, such as those in the prediabetic stage, had brains that appeared nearly half a year older than those in the control group. Furthermore, more severe forms of diabetes correlated with increased brain age; patients with hemoglobin A1C levels above 8 percent had a brain age gap that was about 4.2 years greater than their chronological age.

Persistent thirst Frequent urination Intense hunger and difficulty tolerating hunger Intense cravings for sweets after meals, often accompanied by a tendency to keep eating even after satisfying the craving Fatigue and drowsiness after meals Dark, velvety patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans) The TyG index is calculated using the formula: TyG index = Ln [(fasting triglycerides (milligrams per deciliter) × fasting glucose (milligrams per deciliter)) / 2] Ideal values: <4.55 (strict criteria) or <4.78 (relaxed criteria) According to this formula, the product of glucose and triglycerides, both in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), should not exceed 14,200, with a stricter recommendation of keeping it below 9,000.

The TyG index is approximately 80 percent accurate in evaluating insulin resistance, Jeng noted. In other words, if the product of blood glucose and blood lipid levels exceeds 14,200, there is an 80 percent likelihood of having insulin resistance. Conversely, if the product falls below 14,200, there is an 80 percent likelihood of not having it.

Exercise is essential for both preventing and reversing insulin resistance, as it promotes glucose uptake by muscle cells, thereby lowering blood sugar levels, Jeng said..