A new look at "insulin resistance"

High fasting serum insulin levels in a blood test can certainly suggest a high carbohydrate diet over a longer period of time. This can also suggest a possible “insulin resistance” issue if the serum insulin result is quite elevated, which can be a risk factor for the development of diabetes.

We know that blood glucose cannot get into a cell without the help of insulin to “open the door” to the cell. But even in the presence of high blood glucose and high insulin, glucose levels can remain high or get very high, which can lead to diabetes.

I’ve come across a different thought on this situation from a Professor of Human Physiology and Nutrition, Prof Bart Kay. He says that “insulin resistance” is not a pathogenic situation at all, but a protective mechanism!

​We also know that having a high blood sugar level is very toxic in the body, as it causes high inflammation and oxidative damage to cells and organs and tissues. In situations of high blood sugar and insulin, the cells will already have enough unused/stored glucose and Prof Kay suggests that our cells know that high blood sugar causes oxidative damage and hence won’t allow any more glucose into the cell to prevent further oxidative damage. This is therefore a protective mechanism by the body and the cells!

Unfortunately this protective mechanism to stop oxidative damage then can lead to other symptoms and eventually to diabetes. I get his thoughts on this, but insulin resistance still occurs and will lead to further health issues. I also understand that insulin resistance is not a root cause of diabetes development, but it is a factor. But we still have to go back to the root causes of the high oxidative damage, high inflammation, high blood sugar and high insulin levels, and reduce or limit or even temporarily avoid carbs which is driving the whole chain of events.

This metabolic process of limiting fuel intake into a cell also occurs to prevent of fats for fuel if a cell is currently using carbs and has enough of this in the cell. This also happens if a cell has sufficient fats inside to use for energy - it won't take in any more fuel, including carbs, as the current priority fuel is fats. This is a metabolic process called the "Randle Cycle".

Does this different perspective of high blood sugar, insulin and oxidative damage make sense to you? What are your thoughts on this being a protective mechanism?

I cover a lot more on insulin and diabetes, including additional root causes and factors in the IIFP Level 3 pathology analysis training course.

See more on the IIFP courses on our website here.