Have you ever wondered why even after eating less, you’re still gaining weight? Or why you're feeling tired all the time despite resting well? These could be early signs of a hidden issue—insulin resistance. In this first part of our Insulin Resistance Q&A series, let’s understand what insulin resistance is, what causes it, how it shows up in the body, and how to catch it early.

Q1: What is insulin resistance?

Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps your body use sugar (glucose) from the food you eat for energy. When you develop insulin resistance, your cells stop responding effectively to insulin. As a result, sugar remains in the bloodstream, and your body keeps producing more insulin to compensate. Over time, this can lead to prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, and other health issues. For managing your sugar level you can contact Best diabetes doctor in Gurugram and Dwarka.

Q2: What causes insulin resistance?

Several lifestyle and genetic factors contribute to insulin resistance. The most common include:

  • Poor diet: Excess intake of refined carbs, sugars, and ultra-processed foods
  • Physical inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle reduces insulin sensitivity
  • Chronic stress: Leads to hormonal imbalances, especially cortisol spikes
  • Poor sleep: Disrupts glucose metabolism and increases insulin resistance
  • Obesity: Especially belly fat, which is metabolically active and inflammatory
  • Hormonal imbalances: Such as PCOS in women or low testosterone in men
  • Genetics and family history: A strong risk factor if diabetes runs in the family

Q3: What are the common symptoms?

Insulin resistance can be silent for years. However, some common signs include:

  • Constant fatigue even after rest
  • Unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdomen
  • Cravings for sweets or carbs, especially after meals
  • Frequent urination or thirst
  • Brain fog or difficulty concentrating
  • Skin darkening around the neck, armpits, or groin (acanthosis nigricans)
  • Irregular periods or fertility issues in women
  • Elevated blood pressure or triglycerides

Q4: What are the early warning signs?

Before a formal diagnosis, the body gives subtle hints:

  • Feeling hungry soon after eating
  • Getting sleepy or sluggish post meals
  • Gaining belly fat despite normal eating
  • Developing sugar crashes (sudden tiredness or shakiness)
  • Family history of type 2 diabetes or PCOS

If you notice 3 or more of these, it’s worth getting your fasting insulin, glucose, and HbA1c levels checked. For better result contact Best dietitian clinic in Delhi. 

Insulin resistance is more common than we realize, especially in India where carbohydrate-heavy diets and sedentary lifestyles are the norm. The good news is—it can be reversed with the right lifestyle changes like clean eating, exercise, better sleep, and stress control.In the next part of this series, we’ll explore how to reverse insulin resistance naturally and take control of your health. Stay tuned!

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