Insulin is a hormone that signals cells — primarily in muscle, liver, and fat tissue — to take up glucose from the blood. When those cells become resistant, more insulin is needed to achieve the same effect. Chronically elevated insulin has knock-on effects including increased fat storage, raised triglycerides, and suppressed fat-burning.
Insulin resistance is central to type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and PCOS.
The most effective nutritional approaches focus on reducing excess body weight, especially abdominal fat; choosing lower-GI carbohydrates; limiting added sugars and refined starches; and increasing dietary fibre. Regular physical activity independently improves insulin sensitivity — sometimes within a single session of exercise.
Stress, sleep deprivation, and chronic inflammation also worsen insulin resistance, which is why managing emotional eating and lifestyle factors holistically matters. Discuss assessment and management with your clinician.