What Is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin Resistance is one of the underlying drivers of PCOS in about 70% of the population with PCOS. While the exact cause of PCOS is still not found, this article will help you understand insulin resistance and its relation to PCOS. 

LET’S START WITH INSULIN…

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in regulating the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the body. Insulin helps to control the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood by promoting the uptake of glucose into cells, where it is used for energy or stored as glycogen or fat.

When glucose levels in the blood rise, such as after a meal, the pancreas releases insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin then binds to specific receptors on the surface of cells, allowing glucose to enter the cells and be used for energy or storage. Insulin also promotes the synthesis of glycogen in the liver and muscles, which helps to lower blood glucose levels.

Both insulin deficiency or resistance can be problematic and can lead to high blood glucose levels, which can result in a variety of health problems including diabetes, weight gain, fatigue, and other metabolic issues. 

WHAT IS INSULIN RESISTANCE? 

Let’s say, for example, you had cheese burger for lunch. The high amounts of Fat [ Fat that could be from that overcooked refined oil, cheese, or high quantities of animal meats] from these foods pass into our muscle cells.

Now when such bad fat keeps building up inside our muscle cells, it can interfere with insulin’s job of regulating blood sugar levels in our bodies.  And this can stop insulin to function normally. 

When insulin can no longer open the door of the cell membrane to help the passage of glucose, this glucose builds up in the bloodstream. To control this high sugar in the bloodstream, our pancreas then releases more Insulin to control that sugar.

Thus, Insulin resistance is when cells in our muscles don’t respond well to insulin and can’t use glucose from our blood for energy.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN INSULIN LEVELS INCREASE?

High insulin levels can cause the ovaries to make even more androgenic hormones such as testosterone. High insulin could cause thickening & darkening of the skin (acanthosis nigricans) on the back of the neck, 

Increased body hair, acne, & irregular or few periods. Having insulin resistance for a longer period of time can increase your risk of developing diabetes. 

INSULIN RESISTANCE & PCOS

Insulin resistance affects 75% of lean women and 95% of overweight women.  Insulin resistance, diabetes risk, and lipid profiles do appear to vary. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia (HI) are present in 65–95% of women with PCOS, including the vast majority of overweight and obese women and more than half of women of normal weight, potentially influenced by genetic factors and visceral adiposity. 

Blood tests such as Hb-A1C, Insulin fasting, fasting glucose, and HOMA IR are helpful to assess for the presence of insulin resistance in addition to some of the below clinical signs and symptoms:  

• Sugar and carb cravings

• Cravings or mood swings between meals

• Feeling shaky, dizzy, or lightheaded between meals

• Fatigue after meals

• Accumulation of abdominal fat 

• Skin tags

• Brain fog/poor memory 

• Dark velvety patches in folds of skin

• High fasting insulin, blood sugar, and HbA1c

WHAT CAN LEAD TO INSULIN RESISTANCE?

Visceral Fat: 

Excess weight especially too much fat in the abdomen and around the organs, called visceral fat. It is a leading cause of insulin resistance. This is true even if your (BMI) falls within the normal range [a lean PCOS case]. 

Chronic Stress:

Studies have indicated a higher degree of chronic psychosocial stress to be associated with Insulin resistance. It has been found that cortisol levels were positively associated with insulin and, glucose levels. For example, work stress and low emotional support in women. Also sleeping disorders in women with PCOS are linked with the development of insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes.

Inflammation:

Studies have also shown that belly fat makes hormones and other substances that can contribute to chronic, or long-lasting, inflammation in the body. Inflammation also may play a role in insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Sedentary Lifestyle:

Not getting enough physical activity is linked to insulin resistance and prediabetes. Regular physical activity causes changes in your body that make it better able to keep your blood glucose levels in balance.

Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals:

EDC’s may contribute to insulin resistance and could be a risk factor for PCOS. These substances may have the ability to alter the way hormones are produced in the body. For example, studies have found amounts of the endocrine disrupter bisphenol A (BPA) to be higher in those with PCOS compared with those without the condition, and these higher BPA levels correlated with the degree of androgen excess and insulin resistance. 

WHAT IS THE RELATION BETWEEN INSULIN RESISTANCE AND METABOLIC SYNDROME?

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that include insulin resistance, high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, abnormal cholesterol levels, and excess abdominal fat. PCOS can increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome as the latest research suggests that PCOS may also be associated with many metabolic derangements. 

PCOS symptoms happen to overlap with many of the core constituents of the metabolic syndrome (MBS) - increased insulin resistance, central obesity, and dyslipidemia (abnormal cholesterol levels)

Women with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing metabolic syndrome due to the hormonal and metabolic abnormalities associated with the condition. Insulin resistance, which is common in PCOS, can lead to high blood sugar levels, which, over time, can contribute to the development of the metabolic syndrome.

Additionally, women with PCOS often have elevated levels of androgens, which can contribute to abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia, both of which are components of metabolic syndrome.

Understanding your PCOS symptoms is very important to start with an action framework for healing. To learn more about PCOS diagnosis and symptoms join The PCOS Collective self-study course that gives you access to the tools you need to take charge of your PCOS, understand the role of stress, sleep, food, movement and more and become the expert of your health! The 8-week self-guided course experience gives you clarity around your diagnosis and the confidence to overcome it with a step-by-step, customizable roadmap. 

THE GOOD NEWS IS…

You don’t have to suffer from PCOS forever, and you don’t have to go through your healing journey alone. Join the PCOS Collective today and get instant access to the course materials, private facebook group, meal plans and more!