If you’re not quite sure what insulin resistance is, you’re not alone. Insulin resistance is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, making it increasingly difficult for them to control their blood sugar and weight. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 million adults in the United States alone have prediabetes or diabetes. From this staggering number, the prevalence of insulin resistance becomes clear. But why do most doctors get this condition wrong? How is it possible to treat insulin resistance effectively? And, how does functional medicine help? In this post, we’ll explore these questions and more.
So, what is insulin resistance? Essentially, it’s an imbalance in the hormone insulin, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. Insulin enables the cells in our body to take up glucose for energy, and when this process isn’t working properly, our cells become less sensitive to insulin’s signal. Consequently, our bodies produce more insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels causing the pancreas to work double time to secrete insulin, leading to higher insulin secretion over time. The higher levels of insulin resistance quickly become prone to several chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and even cancer.
But why do most doctors get it wrong when it comes to treating insulin resistance? One of the major reasons is that conventional treatment focuses on managing symptoms rather than addressing the root cause. Often times, doctors will prescribe insulin or oral medication to manage blood sugar levels without much attention to diet or lifestyle changes. In reality, insulin resistance is often caused by unhealthy eating habits, chronic inflammation, and a sedentary lifestyle. It’s also linked to other health issues such as hormonal imbalance, poor gut health, and toxins.
This is where functional medicine comes in. Instead of focusing solely on treating symptoms, functional medicine takes a holistic approach to health by addressing the root cause of the problem. In the case of insulin resistance, this means focusing on diet and lifestyle changes to improve insulin sensitivity. Functional medicine prioritizes an anti-inflammatory, whole foods-based approach that emphasizes nutrient-dense diets and reducing or eliminating sugary and processed foods. This approach can yield better long-term results because it addresses the underlying cause of insulin resistance.
Another thing that functional medicine does differently is testing for underlying conditions or factors that may be contributing to insulin resistance. This often includes hormonal testing, gut health testing, food sensitivity testing, and more. By identifying these underlying factors, functional medicine practitioners can develop a personalized treatment plan targetting the whole patient.
Insulin resistance affects millions of people worldwide, causing a cascade of health concerns, including diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. While conventional doctors often treat symptomatically, functional medicine practitioners take a more personalized, holistic approach by focusing on root cause and addressing underlying issues. By using an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle changes and identifying underlying factors contributing to insulin resistance, functional medicine can help patients reclaim their health and manage this condition effectively.