Hello out there. Was wanting to know about insulin resistance. What is it? I am not diabetic but have this notion that I'm heading down that road. Have some unusual stuff in my medical hx, but seem to have fine blood sugar. I've been trying to lose wt. and can't get anywhere. Bad metabolism?? Probably, I hate to exercise. Need to be walking. Anyway, really want to learn about this resistance stuff.
Thanx in advance!

Here's the simple version of insulin resistance (others can probably give you more scientific info):

When we eat, most of what we eat eventually turns into glucose. Some foods get converted quickly (like simple sugars) and some take much longer to get converted (protein). At any rate, our cells use glucose for fuel...whether it's the cells that make up muscle, brain cells...they all need glucose to function. But all cells have a "door" through which the glucose enters. Insulin acts like a "key" to open the "door". If you have insulin resistance, it's like having ten locks, instead of just one, on the door, so you need much more insulin(more keys) to open the door. If the door isn't opened, then instead of the glucose being utilized by the cells, it floats around in the blood stream and doesn't get absorbed into the cells. Thus, your blood glucose is high, and this can do damage in many ways.

Insulin resistance is a factor in Type II diabetes, where the body does produce some insulin, but it's not enough to open the cells and process the blood glucose. People who are insulin resistant can be treated with any number of medications, some of which cause the cells to open more easily, and some of which increase the body's production of insulin. Also, being overweight (or more accurately, having too high a body mass index) increases the insulin resistance of the cells, which is why diet and exercise alone work for some Type II diabetics.

In Type I diabetes, there simply is no insulin being produced at all, so there is no choice...with none being produced by your body, you must take insulin to survive.

[This message has been edited by SamQKitty (edited 04-17-2002).]

[This message has been edited by SamQKitty (edited 06-12-2002).]

I have an "official" Insulin-Resistant dx. I have a FABULOUS Reproductive Endocrinologist that has made such a difference in my life. See you doctor - they can do a glucose tolerance test to see where you are. If you fall within the ranges, go see an RE.

There has been a lot of attention in the media lately about IR and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). A majority of doctors think it's a bunch of bull excrement, so if your doc doesn't give you a favorable response, here is my RE's advice in a nutshell to me -

1) No more caffeine, artificial sweetners or sugar.
2) No more processed foods like flour, rice, pasta, bread...
3)Water, water, water. I drink at least 100oz a day.
4) Exercise.

I dropped 35 lbs in one month and ate more calories than I probably had in the previous 3months. After 10 years of low-fat/low-calorie dieting and exercising, I was at wit's end. Pasta with fresh veggies was a daily staple for me. I don't let those foods in my house now. I have so much more energy now and I feel better.

Question for scbagrrrl
Congratulations on your accomplishment! I really admire your discipline. I just got some pretty scarry lab results yesterday from my dr. I am right on the border of being diabetic, my cholestrol is way too high and I was put on medication, and I found out I had had untreated mono in the past. I had originally sought medical treatment because of fatigue. So bottom line is, my health is in my hands. I have to lose weight; I have to cut way back on carbs and fats. My question is: What do I eat. I was raised in the South where bread was eaten at every meal and those were pretty substantial meals too. I know I must give it up but it is going to be hard. But I will. But I really can't figure out what in the heck I am going to eat- especially for breakfast. I suppose I can survive on salads for lunch and dinner. My doctor wasn't much help. He gave me some material that basically said I should not eat fats, starches, processed foods and that the daily ratio should be 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats (hope I'm remembering that correctly.) Is there by chance a book anyone can recommend? Thanks in advance.

Originally posted by BarbaraAnne:
I just got some pretty scarry lab results yesterday from my dr. I am right on the border of being diabetic, my cholestrol is way too high and I was put on medication, and I found out I had had untreated mono in the past. I had originally sought medical treatment because of fatigue. So bottom line is, my health is in my hands. I have to lose weight; I have to cut way back on carbs and fats.

Your are correct when you state that your health is in your hands. And you are also correct when you state that you need to cut way back on the carbohydrates. But the issue with fats is a little more complicated. Some fats are essential for health, others cause no harm, and others really need to be avoided. It is the quality of the fats you choose to eat that matters more than the quantity. Most people don't get enough Omega 3 essential fatty acids in their diet (found primarily in cold water fish and wild game and grass fed beef), most people get too much of the Omega 6 essential fatty acids (found in commercial vegetable oils from corn, cottonseeds, soy, etc.). And natural saturated fats from animal products (meats, eggs, dairy, cheese, butter ,etc.) and coconut and palm oils don't cause near the problems that they once were thought to cause and in many ways are quite beneficial. The fats that really should be avoided are the trans fatty acids found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are in margarine, shortening, and most processed foods. Monounsaturated fats like those found in extra virgin olive oil and avacados (even pork lard is over 50% monounsaturated fat) have been shown to be beneficial.

My question is: What do I eat. I was raised in the South where bread was eaten at every meal and those were pretty substantial meals too. I know I must give it up but it is going to be hard. But I will. But I really can't figure out what in the heck I am going to eat- especially for breakfast. I suppose I can survive on salads for lunch and dinner.

For breakfast I would recommend a good portion of eggs cooked in real butter or olive oil or bacon drippings and several ounces of your favorite meat. Bacon is okay on occasion, but due to the processing methods, I wouldn't recommend it every day. Strawberries and most other berries are a good low sugar fruit that you might consider on occassion.

My advice: Cut way back on your carbohydrates, especially those from highly processed foods, sugar, white flour, and starchy things like potatoes, and even most high sugar fruit. Cut back on the highly processed partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and highly polyunsaturated vegetable oils. Eat more whole natural foods including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, green leafy vegetables, and low sugar fruits.

My doctor wasn't much help. He gave me some material that basically said I should not eat fats, starches, processed foods and that the daily ratio should be 40% carbs, 30% protein and 30% fats (hope I'm remembering that correctly.)

Those macronutrient ratios sound like the Zone diet. While a definite step in the right direction from the government recommendations of 60% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 25% fat, you can do better by lowering your intake of non-essential carbohydrates.

Most doctors really get very little training in nutrition. Most just rely on the eating recommendations from government bureaucrats and quasi health authorities that recommend a diet high in carbohydrates, which is done more to appease the food manufacturers and farm lobby than for health reasons.

My advice is to cut way back on your carbohydrates, especially those from highly processed foods, sugar, white flour, breads, and starchy things like potatoes, and even most high sugar fruit. These are the things that significantly raise your bloodsugar levels. If you want to reduce the likelyhood that you will progress to Type II diabetes, this should be your first step. Cut back on the highly processed partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and highly polyunsaturated vegetable oils from corn, soy, etc. Eat more whole natural foods including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, green leafy vegetables, and low sugar fruits.

Is there by chance a book anyone can recommend?

There is an excellent book on the subject that I recommend. It is called "Protein Power" by Dr. Eades. The book title doesn't really do the book justice, because it covers much more than protein with regard to health and nutrition. You can usually pick up the paperback version of the book for around $5.00 - $6.00.

A good book on diabetes and diet is "Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution".

From a nutrition standpoint, both of these books advocate a diet low in carbohydrate and moderate in healthy proteins and fats. The recommended sources of carbohydrate (not for the sake of the carbohydrates, but for the vitamins and minerals) are from vegetables and the occassional low sugar fruit, not grains and taters.

Alan


[This message has been edited by arkie6 (edited 04-23-2002).]

Alan, thanks so much for the time and effort you put into answering my questions. I will definitely get one of those books. I am 100% committed to getting myself well but I am just not educated enough at the moment but I am determined to learn. Thanks again.
Barbara