In an era of fast-paced work, convenience foods, and accumulated stress becoming part of daily life, “Insulin Resistance” is an increasingly common silent health problem, especially among working-age adults. Many people are not yet diabetic, but their bodies begin to have abnormalities in blood sugar control. If left untreated, it may develop into type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and vascular diseases in the future.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin (Insulin) is a hormone produced by the pancreas that functions to transport sugar from the bloodstream into cells to be used as energy.
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body’s cells respond less to insulin, causing the body to produce more insulin to control blood sugar. Initially, blood sugar levels may still be normal, but over time, the pancreas works harder and harder until it can no longer control blood sugar, leading to high blood sugar and the development of type 2 diabetes.
Why are modern people at higher risk of insulin resistance?
Daily behaviors have a direct impact, such as:
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- Sitting for long periods with lack of movement
- Consuming refined carbohydrates and high sugar foods
- Staying up late and insufficient rest
- Chronic stress
- Overweight, especially fat accumulation around the waist
Visceral fat is a key trigger that causes cellular inflammation and reduces the cells’ response to insulin.
Warning signs of insulin resistance
This condition often has no clear symptoms in the early stages, but risk factors for insulin resistance include:
- Overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 23 in Asians) or obesity (BMI greater than or equal to 25 in Asians)
- Central obesity, defined for Asians as a waist circumference greater than or equal to 90 cm in men and 80 cm in women, or waist circumference exceeding half of height
- Easy fatigue, frequent urination, and increased thirst, which are symptoms of high blood sugar
- Darkened skin around the neck, armpits, and groin (Acanthosis Nigricans)
- High blood lipids and high blood pressure
What diseases are related to insulin resistance?
- Prediabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Fatty liver
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Metabolic syndrome
How is it diagnosed?
Doctors will assess by:
- Measuring blood sugar levels (Fasting Plasma Glucose)
- Checking HbA1c levels
- Measuring insulin levels
- Evaluating HOMA-IR
- Checking blood lipids
- Assessing waist circumference, BMI, and body composition
Care and treatment guidelines
1. Lifestyle modification (Lifestyle Medicine) is the most important, including:
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- Control diet by reducing excessive carbohydrate intake and choosing low glycemic index carbohydrates, focusing on whole grains and unrefined starches
- Reduce sugar and sweetened beverages
- Increase quality protein intake
- Exercise combining resistance training with aerobic exercise
- Get quality sleep
- Manage stress
2. Medication use (when necessary)
Medication use is considered on an individual basis, taking into account safety, indications, and comorbidities.
3. Comprehensive care at Phyathai 2 Hospital
Emphasizes in-depth evaluation by a multidisciplinary team including endocrinologists, gastroenterologists, dietitians, physiotherapists, and anti-aging medicine specialists. The care approach focuses on:
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- Analyzing individual causes
- Planning nutrition and exercise
- Using medication when indicated
- Continuous long-term monitoring
Because “insulin resistance” is not just about sugar but the foundation of long-term health.
Can insulin resistance be prevented?
The answer is “Yes.” The earlier it is detected, the higher the chance of returning to normal. If you are overweight, have a family history of diabetes, high blood lipids, or an excessive waist circumference, you should get evaluated before the disease progresses.
Insulin resistance is a silent warning sign before diabetes, caused by the body’s inefficient use of insulin, leading to a tendency for elevated blood sugar over time. It is often associated with modern lifestyle behaviors such as central obesity, high sugar intake, prolonged sitting, insufficient sleep, and accumulated stress.
Although symptoms may not be obvious, if you gain weight easily, have central obesity, frequent hunger, fatigue, or darkened skin around the neck and armpits, you should get evaluated because this condition is linked to diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver.
The important thing is “The earlier you know, the better you can treat it.” Appropriate lifestyle modification combined with specialized medical care can effectively reduce risks and prevent chronic diseases in the future.
