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12 EARLY SIGNS OF INSULIN RESISTANCE AND DIABETES

Do you have any of the following symptoms? If so, you may have diabetes or insulin resistance, two conditions that can lead to a number of serious health problems.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates sugar, glucose, in your blood. When left unmanaged, it can cause high blood sugars or hyperglycemia, which can lead to damage to your internal organs such as your heart, eyes, brain, arteries, and kidneys. According to the World Health Organization, diabetes is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, triggered by poor eating habits for many years.

To prevent the development of diabetes, it is essential to recognize the early signs of insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas that acts as a key, allowing glucose into your cells and removing it from the blood. However, over 60 percent of adults suffer from some degree of insulin resistance, where cells can no longer accept sugar and insulin from the blood, due to poor lifestyle habits like consuming sugary foods, refined carbohydrates or frequent meals.

Here are the top 12 early signs of insulin resistance and diabetes that you need to watch out for:

1. Dark Patches Of Skin (Acanthosis Nigricans)

Acanthosis Nigricans is a condition where dark, velvety patches of skin appear in the folds of the body, such as the armpits, neck, and groin. This condition occurs when there is too much sugar/insulin in the blood, causing skin cells to reproduce too quickly.

2. Sugar Cravings

When your blood sugars are not controlled correctly, you will likely crave sweet or sugary snacks shortly after meals. This happens because your cells are not accepting sugar normally from your blood, causing your brain to think that you are still hungry and crave sugar for a quick energy boost.

3. Blurred Vision

At the early stages of insulin resistance, you may develop blurred vision or find it easy to lose focus on what you are looking at. This occurs because your cells are no longer accepting insulin and glucose correctly, causing the lenses of your eyes to swell with fluid. High blood glucose can also damage the blood vessels connected to your eyes, leading to distorted vision and blurriness.

4. Frequent Urination At Night

If you have too much glucose in your blood, it binds to water, causing your body to hold more fluid. Your kidneys also have to work overtime to filter the extra sugar in your blood, causing you to pee more frequently, especially at night. This can make you feel more thirsty during the day, creating a vicious cycle.

5. Puffy Face

If you are eating too many carbohydrates and sugars, or your body cannot control your blood sugars, you will likely have a puffy face, especially around the cheeks. The high amount of sugar in your body causes fluid retention, making your face appear bloated. You may also get darkening and puffiness around the eyes and eyelids.

6. Tingling & Numbness

If you experience a tingling, burning, stabbing, or shooting pain in your feet, toes, or hands, it could be a sign of neuropathy. High insulin and sugar in your blood can damage blood vessels and peripheral nerves, causing them to misfire and send odd signals to your brain. This can worsen into numbness and loss of function if it develops from prediabetes to type 2 diabetes.

7. Skin Tags

Skin tags are small, benign growths on the skin that often appear in skin folds. High levels of insulin cause skin cells to reproduce rapidly, leading to the growth of skin tags. If you start growing more of them, it could be a sign of prediabetes. Many people who have reversed insulin resistance find that their skin tags naturally start to disappear.

8. Sagging Belly Fat

When you have high amounts of sugar in your blood for long periods of time, your body has to convert this into fat, to preserve energy for the future. Too much insulin and glucose causes the liver to become with filled with fat, and it sparts spilling over to your belly area (abdomen). The key to burning this fat is by lowering blood glucose and insulin for long enough that your body can use up its fat stores. More on this in more other videos.

9. Slow Healing of Cuts and Wounds

If you notice that your cuts and wounds are taking longer to heal than usual, it could be a sign of insulin resistance or diabetes. High blood sugar can cause damage to the blood vessels, which impairs blood flow to the affected area, slowing down the healing process. Additionally, high blood sugar can also lead to nerve damage, which makes it harder for your body to detect and respond to injuries.

10. Fatigue and Weakness

When your body is struggling to regulate blood sugar levels, it can lead to feelings of fatigue and weakness. This happens because your cells aren't getting enough energy from the sugar in your blood, and instead, your body starts breaking down fat and muscle for energy. This can leave you feeling tired and weak even after a good night's sleep.

11. Increased Hunger

Insulin resistance can also cause an increase in hunger. This is because your cells aren't getting the sugar they need for energy, which signals to your brain that you need to eat more. This can lead to overeating and weight gain, which can further exacerbate insulin resistance and increase your risk of developing diabetes.

12. High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is a common complication of insulin resistance and diabetes. When your blood sugar levels are consistently high, it can cause damage to your blood vessels, making them less flexible and narrower. This puts additional strain on your heart, which can lead to high blood pressure and increase your risk of heart disease.

Conclusion

Insulin resistance and diabetes are serious conditions that can have a significant impact on your health and quality of life. By recognizing the early signs of insulin resistance, you can take steps to make lifestyle changes that can prevent or even reverse the condition. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it's important to speak with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. You can read more about that here: Disclaimers.