Insulin resistance is a greatly misunderstood health problem among women. Many women have the mistaken belief that insulin resistance only happens to those who are overweight or in those who eat too many sweets, or that it leads inevitably to diabetes, or that there is nothing they can do about it if they’re insulin resistant.
How do I know if I’m insulin resistant? The unfortunate truth is that anyone can become insulin resistant — even if they are thin. We are all at risk in our society where we have access to a lot of refined carbohydrates (white bread, sugar, bagels, pasta, potatoes, sodas, processed foods with added fructose, etc.). In fact, most of us are likely to be somewhat resistant to insulin. It is just a matter of degree. The more processed and refined food that we eat, the more insulin we require to metabolize it. The more insulin in our blood, the less responsive our cells become. As we age, this continual exposure wears out our tolerance for refined carbohydrates and reduces our sensitivity to insulin. If you suffer from high cholesterol, high triglycerides, or hypertension (high blood pressure), you should get checked for insulin resistance, regardless of your weight or age. If you have high blood pressure, it is likely that you are also suffering from insulin resistance. High blood pressure medication will not cure insulin resistance.
While it’s true that all kinds of women are insulin resistant — or well on their way — the wonderful news is that insulin resistance is something we can prevent and even reverse naturally! Read on...