How Does Insulin Resistance Affect My Metabolism?

Many people understand that insulin affects blood sugar (glucose) and that many people with diabetes need to take insulin to keep their glucose under control. But many people don’t know that insulin affects us in other ways, especially in how our metabolism functions.

Understanding the interplay between insulin and metabolism can also help you understand how your own insulin may be interfering with your attempts at weight management. Specifically, it’s important to understand what happens to your metabolism when your body becomes resistant to insulin.

At STL Medical Weight Loss, Joseph Moleski, DO, and Margaurette Walsh, PA-C, help women and men optimize their metabolism with custom treatment plans focused on each person’s unique needs and goals. In this post, learn the facts about insulin resistance, including how it could be affecting your metabolism.

Quick facts about insulin resistance

Insulin is a hormone produced by special cells in your pancreas. When you eat, your glucose rises, and your pancreas releases insulin, making it easier for glucose to be absorbed by your liver, muscles, and fat cells. As glucose is absorbed, blood sugar decreases, triggering your pancreas to stop releasing insulin.

Insulin resistance happens when liver, fat, and muscle cells don’t absorb or store glucose as they’re supposed to, so your blood sugar levels remain elevated. Unless the problem is corrected, glucose levels can stay elevated, eventually leading to Type 2 diabetes.

Anyone can develop insulin resistance, but it does seem to be more common among people with higher amounts of belly fat. Lack of physical activity also increases the risk of developing insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance and your metabolism

Insulin resistance slows down your metabolism, meaning it’s harder for your body to convert foods into energy your body can use. It also makes it harder for your body to access, break down, and burn fat stores for energy. Together, these factors make it a lot harder to lose weight. 

At the same time, excess insulin production can cause you to crave sugary, high-calorie foods, interfering with your attempts to eat healthy. Problems converting food to energy can leave you feeling fatigued and sluggish, making it harder to exercise and stay active.

Managing insulin resistance

Although insulin resistance can be hard to manage on your own, there are ways to manage it medically, especially when medical therapies are combined with lifestyle changes. Dr. Moleski and his team take an individual, patient-centered approach to treating insulin resistance and its effects on metabolism, beginning with a medical history, physical exam, and blood tests to assess your risk factors.

Next, he designs a treatment plan just for you based on your results. Depending on your needs, your plan might include:

• Nutrition and dietary guidance
• Personalized physical activity plan
• Stress management techniques
• Medication to control appetite or glucose

Regular follow-up visits ensure your treatment plan stays on track and focused on your needs and goals.

Learn how to maintain a healthy weight

Managing your weight, metabolism, and glucose levels is a tough balancing act, but with help from our team, you can achieve — and maintain — your goals. To learn how we can help, call or book an appointment online with STL Medical Weight Loss at our locations in Chesterfield, Missouri, or McKinney, Texas, today.