Question 141 of 433
What causes insulin resistance?
The short answer
Mostly fat stored in the wrong places, the liver, the pancreas, and around the organs, combined with reduced muscle function or activity, too little movement, and too little sleep.
Genes set how much fat you can store safely under the skin before it spills into the organs. That threshold is lower in many people of South Asian, East Asian, Middle Eastern, and Hispanic background, which is why diabetes can appear at body weights that look normal. Other contributors include ultra-processed food, sugary drinks, chronic stress, sleep apnea, certain medications such as steroids, and menopause.
One week of sleeping five hours a night lowers insulin sensitivity measurably in healthy young adults. Sleep is metabolic medicine.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
MECHANISTIC / HUMAN STUDIES — Adults: multiple contributors to insulin resistance; their importance differs by person.Evidence grade (draft mapping)DPreclinical / mechanisticPart 11, Q141 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.