'Curbing insulin resistance can help prevent or delay diabetes'

Checking on your insulin resistance levels may be key in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes top diabetologists said on SundayIndia has a staggering 101 million individuals afflicted by diabetes while the number of prediabetes stands at 136 million according to 2023 data from the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR With no immediate and effective changes brought the numbers are expected to double in the coming two decadesldquoCurbing insulin resistance can certainly help to prevent or delay diabetes This can be achieved by lifestyle modification including calorie restriction reduction in carbohydrates improving physical activity proper sleep etc Dr V Mohan chairman of Dr Mohanrsquos Diabetes Specialities CentreWhat is insulin resistanceThe term lsquoinsulin resistancersquo means that the action of insulin is impaired primarily in disposing of the glucose or lowering the glucose level It can occur at various sites including the liver muscle and adipose tissue Most obese people do have insulin resistance but unless there is decreased pancreatic beta cell function that is decreased insulin secretion insulin resistance does not always lead to diabetes said Dr MohanInsulin resistance is a phenomenon in which there is resistance to the action of circulating insulin at the cellular level in particular in the liver in the muscle and in fact Dr Ambrish Mithal chairman Endocrinology and Diabetes Max HealthCare saidWhat are the symptomsDr Mithal noted that there are hardly any symptoms of insulin resistance But when severe pigmentation is a classic signSomewhat velvety pigmentation which begins with just pigmentation later thickens and turns velvety at the nape of the neck the neck creases the axilla that is the armpit and even near the elbow This is typically combined with obesity especially abdominal obesity Skin tags are also a sign of insulin resistance Dr Mohan saidHe noted that insulin resistance may set in at any age but it usually starts with puberty and in girls it is associated with Polycystic Ovarian Disease PCODIn girls it is associated with hirsutism excess facial hair irregular periods etc but it may also occur in malesrdquo Dr Mohan told IANSHow to curb insulin resistanceIn addition to diabetes insulin resistance is also associated with several other conditions including obesity and cardiovascular diseases like heart attacksDr Mohan advised lifestyle modification including calorie restriction reduction in carbohydrates improving physical activity proper sleep etc Avoid refined carbohydrates take carbohydrates with a lot of fibre avoid fats particularly the saturated fats like butter and ghee eat nuts like almonds walnuts healthy sources of fats Dr Mithal saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever