Insulin resistance occurs cells of the body don’t respond to insulin
Insulin resistance is the name given to when cells of the body don’t respond properly to the hormone insulin. Insulin resistance is the driving factor that leads to type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes. Insulin resistance is closely associated with obesity; however, it is
possible to be insulin resistant without being overweight or obese. Modern research has shown that insulin resistance can be combatted by treatment methods that reduce how much insulin the body is producing or taking via insulin injections or insulin pumps. Reducing insulin resistance can be achieved by following low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets.
What is insulin resistance?
The role of insulin is to allow cells of the body to take in glucose to be used as fuel or stored as body fat. It also means that glucose is more likely to build up in the blood and this can lead to too high blood sugar levels. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, it tries to cope by producing more insulin. People with insulin resistance are often
producing too more insulin than healthy people. Producing too much insulin is known as hyperinsulinemia.
Symptoms of insulin resistance
Initially, insulin resistance presents no symptoms. The symptoms only
start to appear once it leads to secondary effects such as higher blood
sugar levels. When this happens, the symptoms may include:
Lethargy (tiredness)
Hunger
Difficulty concentrating (brain fog)
Other signs that often appear in people with insulin resistance include:
Weight gain around the middle (belly fat)
High blood pressure
High cholesterol levels
If insulin resistance develops into prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, the symptoms will include increased blood glucose levels and more of the classic symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Your health practitioner can use several methods to determine if you’re insulin resistant.
For example, high fasting insulin levels are strong indicators of this condition.
A fairly accurate test called HOMA-IR estimates insulin resistance from your blood sugar and insulin levels.
There
are also ways to measure blood sugar control more directly, such as an
oral glucose-tolerance test — but this takes several hours.
Your risk of insulin resistance increases greatly if you have excess weight or obesity, especially if you have large amounts of belly fat.
A skin condition called acanthosis nigricans, which involves dark spots on your skin, can likewise indicate insulin resistance.
Having low HDL (good) cholesterol levels and high blood triglycerides are two other markers strongly associated with this condition (3Trusted Source).
SUMMARY High
insulin and blood sugar levels are key symptoms of insulin resistance.
Other symptoms include excess belly fat, high blood triglycerides, and
low HDL (good) cholesterol levels.
Causes of insulin resistance
Whilst the exact cause of insulin resistance is still not fully
understood, it is well-known which factors can lead to insulin
resistance developing. Insulin resistance can commonly develop if one or more of the following factors apply:
If you are overweight or obese
Having a high-calorie diet, high-carbohydrate or high-sugar diet
Sedentary lifestyle – taking little physical activity
Taking high doses of steroids over an extended period of time
Having chronic stress
Having Cushing’s disease or polycystic ovary disease
In terms of what is happening inside the body that causes insulin
resistance, researchers have observed that insulin resistance occurs in
people that have:
High levels of insulin circulating in their blood
Excessive fat stored in the liver and pancreas
High levels of inflammation
Ways to reduce insulin resistance
It’s fairly easy to reduce insulin resistance. Interestingly, you can often completely reverse this condition by changing your lifestyle in the following ways:
Exercise. Physical activity may be the single easiest way to improve insulin sensitivity. Its effects are almost immediate .
Lose belly fat. It’s key to target the fat that accumulates around your main organs via exercise and other methods.
Stop smoking. Tobacco smoking can cause insulin resistance, so quitting should help (42Trusted Source).
Reduce sugar intake. Try to reduce your intake of added sugars, especially from sugar-sweetened beverages.
Eat well. Eat a diet based mostly on whole, unprocessed foods. Include nuts and fatty fish.
Omega-3 fatty acids. These fats may reduce insulin resistance, as well as lower blood triglycerides .
Supplements. Berberine may enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar. Magnesium supplements may be helpful, too (45Trusted Source, 46Trusted Source).
Sleep. Some evidence suggests that poor sleep causes insulin resistance, so improving sleep quality should help .
Reduce stress. Try to manage your stress levels if you easily get overwhelmed. Meditation may be particularly helpful .
Donate blood.
High levels of iron in your blood are linked to insulin resistance. For
men and postmenopausal women, donating blood may improve insulin
sensitivity .
Intermittent fasting. Following this eating pattern may improve insulin sensitivity .
Most of the habits on this list also happen to be associated with good health, a long life, and protection against disease. That
said, it’s best to consult your health practitioner about your options,
as various medical treatments can be effective as well.
SUMMARY Insulin
resistance may be reduced or even reversed with simple lifestyle
measures, such as exercise, healthy eating, and stress management.
Fatty liver is also known as hepatic steatosis. It
happens when fat builds up in the liver. Having small amounts of fat in
your liver is normal, but too much can become a health problem.
Your liver
is the second largest organ in your body. It helps process nutrients
from food and drinks and filters harmful substances from your blood.
Too
much fat in your liver can cause liver inflammation, which can damage
your liver and create scarring. In severe cases, this scarring can lead
to liver failure.
When fatty liver develops in someone who drinks a lot of alcohol, it’s known as alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD).
In someone who doesn’t drink a lot of alcohol, it’s known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). According to researchers in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, NAFLD affects up to 25 to 30 percent of people in the United States and Europe.
Symptoms of fatty
liver
In many cases, fatty liver causes no noticeable symptoms. But you may feel tired or experience discomfort or pain in the upper right side of your abdomen. Some people with fatty liver disease develop complications, including liver scarring. Liver scarring is known as liver fibrosis. If you develop severe liver fibrosis, it’s known as cirrhosis. Cirrhosis may cause symptoms such as:
loss of appetite
weight loss
weakness
fatigue
nosebleeds
itchy skin
yellow skin and eyes
web-like clusters of blood vessels under your skin
abdominal pain
abdominal swelling
swelling of your legs
breast enlargement in men
confusion
Cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening condition. Get the information you need to recognize and manage it.
Causes of fatty
liver
Fatty liver develops when your body produces too
much fat or doesn’t metabolize fat efficiently enough. The excess fat is
stored in liver cells, where it accumulates and causes fatty liver
disease. This build-up of fat can be caused by a variety of things. For example, drinking too much alcohol can cause alcoholic fatty liver disease. This is the first stage of alcohol-related liver disease. In people who don’t drink a lot of alcohol, the cause of fatty liver disease is less clear. One or more of the following factors may play a role:
obesity
high blood sugar
insulin resistance
high levels of fat, especially triglycerides, in your blood
Less common causes include:
pregnancy
rapid weight loss
some types of infections, such as hepatitis C
side effects from some types of medications, such as methotrexate (Trexall), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), amiodorone (Pacerone), and valproic acid (Depakote)
exposure to certain toxins
Certain genes may also raise your risk of developing fatty liver.
Diagnosing of fatty
liver
To diagnose fatty liver, your doctor will take your medical history, conduct a physical exam, and order one or more tests.
Medical history
If your doctor suspects that you might have fatty liver, they will likely ask you questions about:
your family medical history, including any history of liver disease
your alcohol consumption and other lifestyle habits
any medical conditions that you might have
any medications that you might take
recent changes in your health
If you’ve been experiencing fatigue, loss of appetite, or other unexplained symptoms, let your doctor know.
Physical exam
To check for liver inflammation, your doctor may palpate or press on your abdomen. If your liver is enlarged, they might be able to feel it. However,
it’s possible for your liver to be inflamed without being enlarged.
Your doctor might not be able to tell if your liver is inflamed by
touch.
Blood tests
In many cases, fatty liver disease is
diagnosed after blood tests show elevated liver enzymes. For example,
your doctor may order the alanine aminotransferase test (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase test (AST) to check your liver enzymes. These tests might be recommended if you’ve developed signs or symptoms of liver disease, or they might be ordered as part of routine blood work. Elevated
liver enzymes are a sign of liver inflammation. Fatty liver disease is
one potential cause of liver inflammation, but it’s not the only one. If
you test positive for elevated liver enzymes, your doctor will likely
order additional tests to identify the cause of the inflammation.
Imaging studies
Your doctor may use one or more of the following imaging tests to check for excess fat or other problems with your liver:
ultrasound exam
CT scan
MRI scan
They
might also order a test known as vibration-controlled transient
elastography (VCTE, FibroScan). This test uses low-frequency sound waves
to measure liver stiffness. It can help check for scarring.
Liver biopsy
A liver biopsy is considered the best way to determine the severity of liver disease. During
a liver biopsy, a doctor will insert a needle into your liver and
remove a piece of tissue for examination. They will give you a local
anesthetic to lessen the pain. This test can help determine if you have fatty liver disease, as well as liver scarring.
Treatment for fatty liver
Currently,
no medications have been approved to treat fatty liver disease. More
research is needed to develop and test medications to treat this
condition. In many cases, lifestyle changes can help reverse fatty liver disease. For example, your doctor might advise you to:
limit or avoid alcohol
take steps to lose weight
make changes to your diet
If
you’ve developed complications, your doctor might recommend additional
treatments. To treat cirrhosis, for example, they might prescribe:
lifestyle changes
medications
surgery
Cirrhosis can lead to liver failure. If you develop liver failure, you might need a liver transplant.
Home remedies
Lifestyle
changes are the first-line treatment for fatty liver disease. Depending
on your current condition and lifestyle habits, it might help to:
lose weight
reduce your alcohol intake
eat a nutrient-rich diet that’s low in excess calories, saturated fat, and trans fats
get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week
According to the Mayo Clinic,
some evidence suggests that vitamin E supplements might help prevent or
treat liver damage caused by fatty liver disease. However, more
research is needed. There are some health risks associated with consuming too much vitamin E. Always
talk to your doctor before you try a new supplement or natural remedy.
Some supplements or natural remedies might put stress on your liver or
interact with medications you’re taking.
Diet for fatty liver disease
If
you have fatty liver disease, your doctor might encourage you to adjust
your diet to help treat the condition and lower your risk of
complications. For example, they might advise you to do the following:
Eat a diet that’s rich in plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
Limit your consumption of refined carbohydrates, such as sweets, white rice, white bread, other refined grain products.
Limit your consumption of saturated fats, which are found in red meat and many other animal products.
Avoid trans fats, which are present in many processed snack foods.
Avoid alcohol.
Your doctor may encourage you to cut calories from your diet to lose weight.
Types of fatty
liver disease
There are two main types of fatty liver disease: nonalcoholic and alcoholic. Nonalcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes simple nonalcoholic fatty liver,
nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and acute fatty liver of pregnancy
(AFLP). Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) includes simple AFLD and alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH).
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) occurs when fat builds up in the liver of people who don’t drink a lot of alcohol. If you have excess fat in your liver and no history of heavy alcohol use, your doctor may diagnose you with NAFLD. If
there’s no inflammation or other complications along with the build-up
of fat, the condition is known as simple nonalcoholic fatty liver.
Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis (NASH) is a type of NAFLD. It occurs when a build-up of
excess fat in the liver is accompanied by liver inflammation. If
you have excess fat in your liver, your liver is inflamed, and you have
no history of heavy alcohol use, your doctor may diagnose you with
NASH. When left untreated, NASH can cause scarring of your liver. In severe cases, this can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP)
Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. The exact cause is unknown. When
AFLP develops, it usually appears in the third trimester of pregnancy.
If left untreated, it poses serious health risks to the mother and
growing baby. If you’re diagnosed with AFLP, your doctor will
want to deliver your baby as soon as possible. You might need to receive
follow-up care for several days after you give birth. Your liver health will likely return to normal within a few weeks of giving birth.
Alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALFD)
Drinking
a lot of alcohol damages the liver. When it’s damaged, the liver can’t
break down fat properly. This can cause fat to build up, which is known
as alcoholic fatty liver. Alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALFD) is the earliest stage of alcohol-related liver disease. If
there’s no inflammation or other complications along with the build-up
of fat, the condition is known as simple alcoholic fatty liver.
Alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH)
Alcoholic
steatohepatitis (ASH) is a type of AFLD. It happens when a build-up of
excess fat in the liver is accompanied by liver inflammation. This is
also known as alcoholic hepatitis. If
you have excess fat in your liver, your liver is inflamed, and you
drink a lot of alcohol, your doctor may diagnose you with ASH. If it’s not treated properly, ASH can cause scarring of your liver. Severe liver scarring is known as cirrhosis. It can lead to liver failure. To treat alcoholic fatty liver, it’s important to avoid alcohol. If you have alcoholism, or alcohol use disorder, your doctor may recommend counseling or other treatments.
Risk factors
Drinking high amounts of alcohol puts you at increased risk of developing fatty liver. You may also be at heightened risk if you:
are obese
have insulin resistance
have type 2 diabetes
have polycystic ovary syndrome
are pregnant
have a history of certain infections, such as hepatitis C
take certain medications, such as methotrexate (Trexall), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), amiodorone (Pacerone), and valproic acid (Depakote)
have high cholesterol levels
have high triglyceride levels
have high blood sugar levels
have metabolic syndrome
If you have a family history of fatty liver disease, you’re more likely to develop it yourself.
Stages of fatty liver
Fatty liver can progress through four stages:
Simple fatty liver. There is a build-up of excess fat in the liver.
Steatohepatitis. In addition to excess fat, there is inflammation in the liver.
Fibrosis. Inflammation in the liver has caused scarring.
Cirrhosis. Scarring of the liver has become widespread.
Cirrhosis is a potentially life-threatening condition that can cause liver failure. It may be irreversible. That’s why it’s so important to prevent it from developing in the first place. To help stop fatty liver from progressing and causing complications, follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan.
Prevention
To prevent fatty liver and its potential complications, it’s important to follow a healthy lifestyle.
Limit or avoid alcohol.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Eat a nutrient-rich diet that’s low in saturated fats, trans fats, and refined carbohydrates.
Take steps to control your blood sugar, triglyceride levels, and cholesterol levels.
Follow your doctor’s recommended treatment plan for diabetes, if you have it.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
Taking these steps can also help improve your overall health.
Outlook
In
many cases, it’s possible to reverse fatty liver through lifestyle
changes. These changes may help prevent liver damage and scarring. The
condition can cause inflammation, damage to your liver, and potentially
irreversible scarring if it’s not treated. Severe liver scarring is
known as cirrhosis. If you develop cirrhosis, it increases your risk of liver cancer and liver failure. These complications can be fatal. For
the best outcome, it’s important to follow your doctor’s recommended
treatment plan and practice an overall healthy lifestyle. https://www.healthline.com
Depression and asthma are two highly prevalent chronic diseases in the
United States and worldwide, imposing unacceptable social and economic
burdens on the public healthcare system [.
Approximately 16% of adults in the United States are diagnosed with
major depression disorder, and 5.8% of men and 9.5% of women will likely
experience an episode of depression within a 12-month period .
Equally detrimental, asthma affects 39.5 million Americans, 29.0
million of which are adults, and 300 million individuals worldwide , with increasing prevalence in many countries .
Because both depression and asthma impose substantial public health
burdens, the association between these two conditions has attracted
attention over the past several decades. "In
a first-of-its-kind study, researchers from the Icahn School of
Medicine at Mount Sinai, Montefiore Health System, and Albert Einstein
College of Medicine are working together to examine the link between
depression and asthma in older adults. Funded by the National
Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the study will consist of 400 patients
over the age of 60 who have persistent asthma and are receiving an
asthma-control medication; half of the patients also will have comorbid
major depression. Participants will represent socio-demographics of most
US urban communities and will include English and Spanish-speaking
adults. The 4-year study, which is scheduled to begin in September,
will assess patients for depression, inflammation, and medication
adherence at study initiation and again at 6, 12, and 18 months."