 |
Insulin Resistance and Morbid Obesity
Author: Scott Meyers | Posted: 03-07-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 6 | 
We are suffering an obesity epidemic in the United States. About 66 million people are classified as 'obese,' which means that they have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30%. That means that a person's body is over 30% fat.
Morbid Obesity: An Epidemic
Even more concerning is the number of 'morbidly obese' people in the US. One in six, or over 10 million people, is defined in this category. That means that they have a BMI of 40 or greater. When you assume that a healthy person has a BMI of 20 or less, a morbidly-obese person has over twice the body fat of a person at a healthy weight.
We all know that morbid obesity can cause heart problems and strokes. What many don't know is that morbidly obese people suffer from high rates of diabetes. For the most part, their diabetes emerges because they don't exercise enough and eat too much.
How the Body Processes Food
The body has a clever way to process the food we eat, as long as we eat in a healthy way. The food we eat is converted by the liver to glucose (for energy) and fat (for fat storage). If the body needs energy, our cells can process the glucose circulating in our bloodstream. As we 'burn' those sugars, the body sends signals to the pancreas to produce more insulin.
Our cells absorb the increasing insulin in the bloodstream, which tells them to absorb more glucose. Falling glucose levels stimulate the liver to send more energy to the cells. The liver 'decides' between converting more food to glucose, or converts the fats in our body to glucose.
That's how it works in a well-functioning body.
Our Systems Can Break Down
If we become morbidly obese, this self-correcting mechanism can go haywire. Obese people eat too much food, especially sugars and starches (breads, sugary drinks, candy, etc.). The liver, overwhelmed, pushes too much glucose into our bloodstream. As a result, the pancreas produces more insulin, and the cells end up absorbing both glucose and insulin.
Over time, your cells-brain, muscle, other body cells-becomes oversaturated with insulin. That means that the cells need more and more insulin to evoke the same glucose-absorbing response. This need for more and more insulin stems from 'insulin resistance,' or the increasing need of your body's cells to have insulin in order to function normally.
A good counter to insulin resistance is to exercise. Even if we're obese, exercise causes the cells to absorb more glucose, and the insulin resistance drops.
Diet and Exercise for the Morbidly Obese
Another way to reduce this problem is to eat less, or eat differently. If we eat fewer starches and sugars, our liver is likely to be less overloaded, and pushes out less glucose. The pancreas is stimulated less to produce insulin, and the cells' insulin resistance falls.
How about doing both? Even if you retain your body weight, insulin resistance can go down with better diet and exercise. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for morbidly obese people to exercise, and they're also more likely to eat food that overloads their system, for physical and psychological reasons.
What does insulin resistance do to the body? It narrows the arteries, cutting off circulation in the heart, the lungs, and the extremities. Left long enough, it will permanently damage the pancreas and lead to insulin-dependent diabetes. Diabetes is especially bad for the morbidly obese, who generally suffer from many problems at the same time.
What do you or someone you love do if you suffer from morbid obesity and insulin resistance? Even if you've tried to lose weight and can't, change your diet to reduce sugars. Exercise as much as you can. Your body will grow healthier without any other changes, and your chances of developing chronic diabetes will go down. Rate this Article:
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/insulin-resistance-and-morbid-obesity-174981.html
About the Author:Scott Meyers is a staff writer for Its Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Insulin Resistance and Diabetes.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Related Articles
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and type-II Diabetes
By: Scott Meyers | 14/06/2007 | Non-Fiction
PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a hormone imbalance that occurs in women, and can often be mistaken for something else. Women who have it have high testosterone and high circulating insulin levels.
How Insulin Functions in a Normal Body
By: Scott Meyers | 09/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
Insulin is a self-correcting hormone which ebbs and flows as the body needs it. Insulin is part of an exquisitely-controlled system that signals the cells when to use energy, the liver when to produce it, the hunger centers when we need to refill, and the nerves to insure that we stay calm and collected.
PCOS and Its Treatment
By: Scott Meyers | 16/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is estimated to affect over 10% of women around the world. It is essentially a hormone imbalance which causes women to undergo a series of symptoms.
Diabetes. Will You Be Next?
By: Graeme Lanham | 04/11/2006 | Non-Fiction
If you "don't have time" for any form of sport or exercise and eat fatty takeaways and fast foods, you could be a candidate for "metabolic syndrome."
What is it and how do you avoid it?
Insulin Resistance - How It Starts and What We Can Do about It
By: Scott Meyers | 02/06/2007 | Non-Fiction
Insulin resistance has reached epidemic proportions in the developed world. Closely associated with obesity, the main causes are too many refined sugars and starches, and inactivity. What is insulin resistance? What causes it, and what can we do to get rid of it?
Diagnosing and Treating PCOS
By: Scott Meyers | 16/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
PCOS has been until recent years a mysterious scourge of over 10% of women worldwide. PCOS stands for "Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome."
Insulin Resistance: the Plague of Modern Society!
By: Scott Meyers | 02/06/2007 | Non-Fiction
Insulin resistance affects tens of millions in the United States. While insulin resistance can run in families, it is most influenced by lack of activity and the consumption of too much unrefined sugar. Both lead to an overweight condition, which then makes the problem of insulin resistance worse.
PCOS Affects 10% of Women Worldwide
By: Scott Meyers | 17/07/2007 | Non-Fiction
What is PCOS? It seems to be in the news and on TV programs these days, but it is difficult to understand what it is, and what causes it.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Anyone know what c-magic swizzle is all I can find ...
By: upsetandhurtinpa | 14-05-2008
Anyone know what c-magic swizzle is all I can find out is that it is a mouthwash for ulcers what is it made of will it hurt my child that is taking rapamune and bactrim for a liver transplant he received in 2001
Tired and sleepy
By: pavan | 14-05-2008
1) I feel tired and sleepy from earlyafternoon itself. 2) After getting up from sleep, I still feel sleepy even after 7 hours of sleep. How to et rid of the above.
How to control sugar cravings?
By: sammyj | 14-05-2008
I was surprised to read that a person should only be eating 40 grams of sugar a day. Do people actually do this? How do you control those sugar urges? I crave sugar every night, especially before I go to bed. Help!
Asthma
By: katuramu | 14-05-2008
Is there a cure for asthma
Can i take insulin and metfornin at same time ?
By: davidjaren | 14-05-2008
can i take insulin and metfornin at same time ?
Where do I start in the progress of finding a ...
By: Maree | 13-05-2008
Where do I start in the progress of finding a surrogate mother to carry a baby for me as I have had a hysterectomy and am in a new relationship where we would like a child.
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Non-Fiction Articles
I Hate the Color Orange
By: John A. Lewis, Jr. | 13/05/2008
This is a short autobiographical story about sexual abuse and its effects on an adult. The story is harrowing, but true. It would make an excellent editorial for magazines/books dealing with the trauma of childhood abuse and the long healing process.
Get a Cast of Characters to Help You Write A Book
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 12/05/2008
You can get help with your writing just ask around! Here are some resources for helping you get your book on the way: writing buddies, book and publishing coaches, cheerleaders, interviewers, researchers, bookstores, reviewers, experts, authors, speakers, testimonials and bloggers, just to name a few. Just imagine you could have all these people rooting for your success!
Teena
By: SreeLakshmy | 11/05/2008
Teena had a bad life from her birth. none cared her. everybody ran behind money, even her parents. when her husband died, she decided to live a life like her wish.
How to Stay Motivated While Writing Your Great Book
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 09/05/2008
Get acquainted with some important elements that can help you keep motivated to write. These elements include, but are not limited to: being in a positive environment, listening to music, writing in a clean work area, having a plan, limit distractions, and attending a writer's retreat. With this in mind, and writing about what you love, you will be sure to stay motivated to finish your book.
Scribbles and Margins
By: Elea Almazora | 09/05/2008
Even though it may not seem like it, the times wherein I have the opportunity to write – simply write! – for my own pleasure, for the sheer love of it, have been getting fewer and fewer as the days go by. It used to be that I had the time and the energy skip over to the nearest coffee shop (Starbucks is a preference, of course) with a pretty hard bound brown paper journal and my trusty fountain pen with brown ink.
The Camping Trip
By: Tahtimbo | 24/04/2008
This is a true story of what occured on a camping trip.
How to Write a Best Seller
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 18/04/2008
Learn the formula for a best seller. Some of the tips are: Have an attention-getting title, attractive book cover design, sales information on back cover, testimonials, terrific titles for your Table of Contents, and of course good content. You'll see that you too can write a best seller by simply following a few key writing tips.
Write an eBook - Make Money
By: Joan Clout-Kruse | 18/04/2008
There are thousands of articles on the Internet that show you how to write an eBook, but very few that tell you what you need to do to market and sell your eBook online. Some marketing tips include: Doing research, building a website, building a list, writing a sales page, having a Paypal account, promoting online, writing articles, and joining joint ventures.
More from Scott Meyers
Colon Cleansers: The Last Resort for Treating Chronic Constipation
By: Scott Meyers | 12/05/2008 | Health
If you have ever suffered from constipation, you know the discomfort it causes. Your stomach feels bloated, bending from the waist is accompanied by pain and abdominal pressure, you dread using the bathroom and of course the inability to truly enjoy any activity because of the physical discomfort associated with movement in general.
Keeping your Appendix Healthy with a Colon Cleanse
By: Scott Meyers | 12/05/2008 | Health
What if you found out that a recent surgery could have been avoided altogether with a seven day treatment regimen known as a colon cleanse?
Stress Triggers and How to Deal With Them
By: Scott Meyers | 07/05/2008 | Health
There are many causes of stress in our lives from having to multi-task, procrastinating, forgetfulness, being late, not preparing, lack of organization, and the inability to get a good nights sleep.
The Most Commonly Overlooked Aspect of the Colon Cleanse
By: Scott Meyers | 07/05/2008 | Health
As a health conscious consumer, you know that colon cleanses are a must for ensuring your body's overall wellbeing and ensuring that your digestive tract is in good working order.
Your Prescription for Hangovers
By: Scott Meyers | 07/05/2008 | Health
For those of you who have ever had a little too much to drink and have paid the price the next morning, you know there is no magic pill that can miraculously cure your hangover. There are some things, however, that may get you back on the road to a quick recovery.
Avoid Hangovers by Knowing What Not To Do
By: Scott Meyers | 07/05/2008 | Health
There are two tired and true ways to avoid a hangover. The first is don't drink and the second is know your limits if you are going to drink.
Treating Nervous Disorders with Skullcap
By: Scott Meyers | 06/05/2008 | Health
Skullcap is a member of the mint family and is characterized by flowers that grow only on one side of the plant, and by small dish-shaped seedpods. It was used in the Americas by native peoples for some time to treat rabies and promote menstruation.
A Colon Cleanse Can Get Your Body Back on the Right Track
By: Scott Meyers | 06/05/2008 | Health
Are you lethargic? Do you lack energy? Does the afternoon seem to drag on and on? When you finally get home do you barely have the energy left to cook dinner, help the kids with their homework, and then do the housework?
|
|
Writing 
