What is The Difference between Insulin Resistance and Diabetes?

A lot of people think insulin resistance is the same as diabetes. Did you know that they are not the same?  Can you tell the difference? If you can’t, this article is for you.  In a nutshell, insulin resistance is a warning sign of impending diabetes, and if discovered early, it is curable. Diabetes, on the other hand, is not curable. Read on to learn more.

3 Major Differences Between Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

Reversibility

Although insulin resistance and diabetes trigger high blood sugar levels, insulin resistance is reversible, while diabetes mellitus is not. In insulin resistance, your cells do not respond to insulin as they ought to. However, if this condition is treated early on, insulin resistance is corrected.

Diabetes mellitus on the other hand is irreversible. This is because the cells secreting insulin are dead. Since the body can no longer secret insulin, diabetic people take insulin injections for life.

Insulin resistance is sometimes called prediabetes, that is an early manifestation before type 2 diabetes mellitus kicks in.

There are other nondiabetic causes of insulin resistance

Hormonal causes include:

• Hypothyroidism - disease of the thyroid glands
• Acromegaly – a disease caused by excessive growth hormone secretion
• Cushing syndrome – a disease caused by excess secretion of cortisol

Genetic causes include:

• Myotonic dystrophy – a genetic disorder affecting the muscles, eyes, and
• Werner syndrome – a genetic condition that causes accelerated aging.
• Inherited lipodystrophy – a genetic condition affecting fat metabolism.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is not caused by insulin resistance

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is not due to insulin resistance.  It is a genetic condition that triggers the white blood cells to attack the cells producing insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes mellitus are not insulin resistant. Instead, they are insulin deficient. They take insulin injections for life.

Did You Know?

According to the CDC, one in 3 adults in the US have prediabetes?

Some Myths about Insulin Resistance

Myth: Only fat people can have insulin resistance

Truth: thin people are also at risk of insulin resistance. A big predictor of insulin resistance is visceral fat: that is fat around the abdominal organs. A sedentary lifestyle, excess alcohol, junk food, and stress can increase visceral fat. Some drugs like steroids and HIV medications also trigger insulin resistance.

Myth: I can cure diabetes by changing my diet

Truth: diabetes is an irreversible condition. It must be managed carefully with the right diet, exercise, and drugs.

FAQs on Insulin Resistance

What are the symptoms of insulin resistance?

The symptoms of insulin resistance are due to high blood sugar. They include fatigue, excess urination, excess thirst, increased appetite, weight loss, vision problems and others.

How to reverse insulin resistance

You can reverse insulin resistance with lifestyle modifications like exercise, weight loss, healthy diet, stress management, adequate sleep, and others.

Is there an insulin resistance test?

A glucose test is used to screen people for prediabetes. This test can be done when fasting or two hours after drinking a glucose solution. An expert must conduct and interpret the result of this test along with the medical history.

What You Can Do Next

If you have been diagnosed with insulin resistance, some practical next steps include:

• Swap refined carbohydrates like cakes, biscuits, and sweets with wholegrains, seeds, and nuts.
• Avoid fruit juices and replace them with fruits instead. Since fruits juices have no fiber, they quickly spike your glucose levels. Whole fruits have fiber.
• Snack on chunky vegetables like carrots and melons instead of chips
• Take at least 30 minutes’ walk each day.

In summary, insulin resistance is not a death sentence. It’s an opportunity to make healthy positive choices for your body and mind. Remember, small consistent changes are more effective than drastic inconsistent ones. What small changes can you take today?