New Clues to Cause of Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance
Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, but scientists still aren't really sure why that happens. The results of a new study from the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine sheds some light on just what the mechanism might be that triggers insulin resistance.
According to a press release, "Obese adipose, or fat, tissue is characterized by the presence of macrophages, specialized cells that usually fight infection. Adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) accumulate in fat tissue as body weight increases. Growing evidence shows that ATMs are a significant contributor to inflammation in obesity – inflammation that leads to insulin resistance, resulting in Type 2 diabetes."
Jerrold Olefsky, M.D., Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean for Scientific Affairs at UC San Diego, states, “Recent studies showed that a decrease in ATMs is associated with a decrease in adipose tissue inflammation and a reduction in insulin resistance, while an increase in ATMs is associated with a further deterioration of insulin sensitivity.”
It is already known that losing weight and decreasing body fat improves insulin sensitivity. This study used laboratory mice, but it is not that far-fetched to think that the same mechanisms would apply for humans.
Knowing why obesity leads to insulin resistance is important because it might lead to new advances in diabetes treatment someday. But in the meantime, weight loss and exercise do help when managing type 2 diabetes and can improve how the body uses insulin.
Photo courtesy of Dimitri Vervitsiotis/Getty Images
Comments
I can not believe this story! Am I living in a bubble? Read Dr. Richard Bernstein’s book. “Diabetes Solutions” - Third Edition. Also read, Dr. Jonny Bowden’s book, “Living the Low Carb Life” — Insulin creates fat. Too much insulin makes a person insulin resistant. The pancreas keeps pumping out insulin in response to the amount of carbohydrates you take in. Too many carbohydrates equals an over-abundance of insulin being pumped. The cells become insulin resistant because they are overloaded on insulin. When the glucose is brought to the cells, they refuse to answer the call. The receptors on the cells can’t open and accept the insulin because they have been inundated with insulin. The glucose must go somewhere. The only place in the body that will except excess glucose is the fat cells. And those fat cells are typically located in the abdominal region of the body - hence we see males that are carrying triplets and look like their ready to deliver at any moment. My husband suffered with Type 2 Diabetes for over 20 years. Until I ready Dr. Bernsteins book. My husband was on 43 units of insulin. We both went on a low carb lifestyle. He came off of insulin within 4 months, lost 80 pounds and the neuropathy that he suffered from has diminished to a slight tingle. That was 6 years ago. His fasting blood sugars are 90! He walks 2 miles at the gym every day - before low carb he couldn’t walk 75 feet at one time. There is a “cure” for diabetes. It’s called the low carb lifestyle but the problem with that is it doesn’t bring the pharmaceutical megla-multimillionaires any money. Read, study and take responsibility for your Type 2 Diabetes. You CAN do something about your blood sugars and you can do it with your doctor’s help. Let him/her know you want to go low carb and you want their help. If you are on insulin, you must, must, must have a doctor’s help because once you cut your carbs, you’re blood sugar will being to fall and if it falls and you are taking insulin it will fall too far. Talk to your doctor. Work with your doctor. Tell your doctor you want to be his/her partner in your health care - and that doesn’t mean simply taking your pills on time. Read Dr. B and Jonny Bowden and Gary Taubes. Your life will change dramatically.