What exactly is Insulin Resistance?
Posted on Dec 09, 2008 under insulin resistance syndrome |I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and I just found out that I am insulin resistent. My MD really didn’t explain to me what that was. What is it and how is it really effecting me. Could it be partly to blame for my unexplained weight gain and how can I correct this.
Also, the MD prescribed Metformin (generic Glucophage) which is a diabetic medication that he said may help.
One last thing, is this the same as pre diabetes?
Ugh, it is so typical… doctors never give us the education and information we need. I hear this so often from women with PCOS, it really angers me….
Insulin resistance is basically where your body takes the sugar and turns it into fat, instead of energy. It causes SO many problems including weight gain/inability to lose weight, hormonal imbalances, infertility, etc. Nearly 30% or more of women with PCOS have IR. Some actually believe that we first have IR and it causes PCOS….
Here’s a post I wrote, it may help: http://pcosinfo.com/blog/insulin-resistance-how-does-metformin-help-those-with-pcos/
Metformin is the most common medication prescribed to help control IR. It is quite effective in helping women control IR, lose weight and regulate their cycles.
Insulin resistant increases our risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, but NO, IR is not diabetes. The best way to decrease this risk is to watch what we eat (follow a low GI diet), and watch our weight.
I hope this info helps you!
Pamela
http://www.pcosinfo.com/
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December 9th, 2008 at 8:32 am
It is also called Syndrome X which you can google.
The pancreas does not produce sufficient insulin to handle a high carb diet. It can be pre-diabetic. But it's not the same as diabetes. I don't know if they've discovered exaxctly what makes the pancreas underproduce because I think the Isles of Langerhans that are killed off in the diabetic pancreas are still there - they just don't perform.
Glucophage basically wrings what little potential insulin production there is out of the pancreas. The condition can seem like hypoglycemia at times - irritability and weakness if you miss a meal. Over time the use of Glucophage is not a cure - it drives the pancreas like a whipped mule to produce insulin and will eventually result in becoming insulin dependent.
The best treatment is management by eliminating all high glycemic foods from the diet that you possibly can. Anything white. If you gotta have carbs make them as unrefined whole grain or low glycemic veggie as you can - use Ezekiel bread (sprouted grain, not flour based bread). Eat a lot of protein and take good supplements and chromium to control the blood sugar ups and downs. If you eat fruit, choose a minimum of lower sugar fruits and pair them with protein that takes longer to digest. Make bulgur or quinoa instead of white rice. Choose spelt and other lower glycemic nutrient flours and experiment with breads and crusts. I tried to use spelt a lot but it does not have the gluten of wheat.
Eat 6 small meals rather than 3 big ones.
Syndrome X takes a dietary specialist familiar with the condition to empower you to eat in ways that still are enjoyable and don't result in a dietary revolution that causes your family (if you have to cook for them) to go into complete revolt.
Good luck to you.
References :
My ex is a MD that treated Syndrome X
December 9th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Ugh, it is so typical… doctors never give us the education and information we need. I hear this so often from women with PCOS, it really angers me….
Insulin resistance is basically where your body takes the sugar and turns it into fat, instead of energy. It causes SO many problems including weight gain/inability to lose weight, hormonal imbalances, infertility, etc. Nearly 30% or more of women with PCOS have IR. Some actually believe that we first have IR and it causes PCOS….
Here’s a post I wrote, it may help: http://pcosinfo.com/blog/insulin-resistance-how-does-metformin-help-those-with-pcos/
Metformin is the most common medication prescribed to help control IR. It is quite effective in helping women control IR, lose weight and regulate their cycles.
Insulin resistant increases our risk of getting Type 2 diabetes, but NO, IR is not diabetes. The best way to decrease this risk is to watch what we eat (follow a low GI diet), and watch our weight.
I hope this info helps you!
Pamela
http://www.pcosinfo.com/
References :
http://www.pcosinfo.com/
December 9th, 2008 at 8:55 am
Women with Polycystic Ovaries have an increased risk of developing Diabetes This Lifestyle change could prevent this from possibly progressing to type 2 diabetes.Exercise daily.If you can, go for a 1/2 hour continuous fast paced walk after each meal..Eat Fish, Chicken, Turkey,Red Meats eggs,bacon Vegetables & home cooked Oatmeal.Tea,Coffee (with artificial sweetener & cream) Drink water. If you are going to have bread have one slice per meal (WHOLE GRAIN)and have it with protein.Make up the majority of your daily intake from these foods.This approach might negate the need for the metforman completely. Check with your Dr. & get the OK to exercise.
References :
experience