Last week I went into an explanation of what insulin resistance is. Today we will discuss what we can do to lower our risk for insulin resistance and what tests can be done to check for this silent condition.
Many of us have wondered why we or a loved one seems to be doing the "right things" yet still gaining weight and perhaps even developing health problems as a consequence.
We have all at some point been in our doctor's office for an annual exam. You know the routine; step on the scale, tell them your height and have your blood pressure and pulse checked. During your visit, your doctor might mention your weight or your BMI- body mass index, which can help identify whether you are normal weight, overweight or in the obesity category for your height. It is a good way to identify those who are at risk for complications of too much weight. But are all the people who end up in the normal weight range actually at low risk?
You can feel your heart rate going up, you are starting to sweat, you feel anxious, maybe you are breathing faster-all of these symptoms have something in common: stress. Stress has become an acceptable part of modern-day life. We just have to "deal" with it as part of our every day demands of home, work, and life. Or do we? Is it worth it to try to reduce this constant stress?