Feeling sluggish, run-down, and just plain drained?

Everything appears to be “normal”, but you just don’t feel your best.  Insulin resistance could be the culprit.

Insulin resistance is when a person’s body tissues have a lowered level of response to insulin. The hormone insulin plays a major role in the body by regulating the level of glucose or sugar in the body.

If you are insulin resistant your cells cannot take in the glucose and as a result, the level of the glucose in the blood remains high.

Whenever you eat, the body’s job is to breakdown the food and use it for energy. If you eat too many starches or processed and refined carbohydrates, your blood sugar will rise and if this is done for a long period of time, the cells can become less responsive which leads to insulin resistance.

Many individuals are insulin resistant for years and don’t even know it. If left untreated, insulin resistant can lead to diabetes.

Chronically high blood sugars can cause inflammation in the body and can damage your liver, brain, pancreas, heart, and eyes. It is so important to be able to manage your blood sugar levels and keep them stable.

Given the standard Western diet, it is not surprising that a large percentage of Americans approximately 100 million have prediabetes or diabetes according to the latest research from the CDC. This number is startling!

One of the potential reasons for this is because the sugar industry paid off scientists to down play its harmful effects and tried to put the blame on saturated fats. So Americans haven’t been given the truth and as a result weren’t educated on the real dangers that comes from eating too many sugars.

5 Obvious Signs of Insulin Resistance

The good news is there are 5 warning signs that your blood sugar levels are too high. If you experience these symptoms, do not ignore them! You body is trying to warning you that there is trouble ahead if you don’t listen.

But have no fear, with lifestyle modifications, it is possible to reverse insulin resistance and prevent diabetes!

Below are the warning signs you need to look out for and what you can do to improve your blood sugar levels.

1.      You crave carbs and sugar

Do you love a sweet treat? Or maybe you love those salty junk foods?

These cravings are fueled by insulin resistance. The more you eat them, the more your body wants them.

Your body becomes accustomed to craving more sugar and it becomes an addiction.

Is there such a thing as sugar addition? YES!!!

In fact, there are studies that use fMRI scans to conclude that sugar activates the same brain regions that are activated when a person consumes drugs like cocaine.

That is why breaking a sugar addiction is straight-up hard. Sugar is that bad boy that we lust for but in the end, will only end up breaking your heart.

Unfortunately, this vicious cycle can mess with your hormones and waistline. Leaving you with extra unwanted pounds and unbalanced hormones that cause you to feel like you are on an emotional roller coaster.

Constantly craving these types of carbohydrates is not normal. Make sure you read this article for more detailed information on insulin resistant foods to avoid.

To reduce cravings, try insulin resistance supplements like Ovasitol which promotes insulin sensitivity. Ovasitol has been shown to reduce sugar cravings and promote normal hormone levels. To learn more about how Ovasitol can help PCOS and insulin resistance, check out this review on Ovasitol for PCOS.

2.      You can’t lose weight

Are those pesky extra pounds stuck on you like glue, no matter how hard you to try to shake them?

If you can’t seem to lose weight no MATTER WHAT, you are insulin resistant. You can learn more in this article about why weight loss with insulin resistance is difficult.

You are probably tired of hearing the doctors tell you that it is calories in and calories out to lose weight. The worst advice possible by the way because it doesn’t matter how many calories you cut if you are insulin resistant the pounds aren’t going to budge unless you improve your insulin sensitivity.

Women who are insulin resistant classically carry their extra weight around their stomach. They are commonly referred to as apple-shaped.

The waist-hip ratio is a great insulin resistance test. A ratio greater than .85 for females signals insulin resistance. You can easily do this test at home for free with a tape measure. No doctor’s visit needed!

In fact, this video demonstrates exactly how to do the measurements yourself!

So what can you do about stubborn weight?

The best thing you can do is to make sure you are eating right and doing exercises that promote insulin sensitivity like HIIT.

Check out this article to learn more about the benefits for HIIT for PCOS and get a sample routine to try.

My 7-day plan, can take all of the guesswork out of insulin resistance weight loss and get your started right away!

3.      More frequent infections

If you are constantly getting infections and falling ill, there is more to it than just bad luck. There is a connection to having elevated blood sugars levels and insulin resistance.

When you have high blood sugar levels, your immune system is compromised and your more likely to get sick. You also have a harder time fighting off illnesses.

Pay attention to how often you get UTI’s and yeast infections, it is connected to how your body processes sugars. Most women don’t see the connection, but it definitely exists. If you are someone who gets chronic UTI’s and yeast infections, probiotics and D-Mannose will help you ward off these troublesome issues (trust me- this is coming from a long-tie sufferer).

If you find yourself constantly sick; it is time to investigate further. You should feel good most of the time, not the other way around!

To boost your immune system try incorporating foods that are high in antioxidants and that are shown to reduce inflammation.

A great addition to your diet is bone broth. Bone broth helps to heal the gut and inflammation, it is rich in vitamins A and K, fatty acids, selenium, zinc, and manganese. It may help with weight loss and sleep as well.

RELATED: 7 Signs Your Hormones are Out of Balance

4.      Fatigue

There is tired and then there is TIRED (even when you get a good night’s sleep)!!

There is nothing worse than not having the energy to do the things you want to do or have to do.

Being fatigued is a classic sign that your body is working overtime to heal and repair.

A lot of times the fatigue is caused by the constant spikes and subsequent blood sugar crashes.

If you are getting the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep every night and still feel as though you didn’t catch a wink, there is definitely something going on in your body that needs to be addressed. With adequate sleep, you should feel energized and refreshed.

Most people will ignore this symptom, but you really need to listen to your body. You will know when your tiredness is not normal.

To help you feel more rested here are some simple things you can do to improve the quality of your sleep:

• Try to limit your caffeine intake to the morning hours

• Drink more water throughout the day

• Try a B-12 Supplement

• Reduce stress

• Establish a routine- a time you plan to get up and go to bed by every day

• Avoid the use of electronics at night. The blue light can suppress melatonin. If you do use devices at night try these light blocking glasses.

5.      Skin tags/darkening of the skin

Insulin resistance causes darkening of the skin usually around the neck and areas where there are folds in the skin and is referred to as acanthosis nigricans.

You may also notice skin tags. Skin tags can occur on the neck, eyelids, underarms, in your groin area, and under your breasts.

You can tell a lot about someone and their health based on their skin’s appearance. If it is dry and flaky, it means you are dehydrated. Acne can signal inflammation and insulin resistance. Yellowing skin can be a sign of liver problems.

Pay attention to the health of your skin, it tells a story.

While skin tags can be unsightly, they aren’t harmful to you. You can remove them if you want. You can either try to remove them yourself with an over-the-counter product or you can have a dermatologist remove them for you.

 What You Should Do If You Have Signs of Insulin Resistance

These 5 signs and symptoms of insulin resistance might not seem like a big deal, but they are warning signs that something is off. Make sure you check out these 10 ways to reduce insulin resistance with PCOS so you can start feeling better today!

You are the best advocate for your health. You need to listen to what your body is telling you.

Half the battle is knowing what is wrong, once you know that, you can treat the problem.

If you suspect you are insulin resistant, it is time to make some impactful changes for your health. Check my PCOS Patient Advocacy Guide which guides you step-by-step how to heal your PCOS and insulin resistance.

The items listed above are accompanied by affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if a purchase is made through my links. This has no impact on the cost to the consumer. I link to products this way whenever possible, and it has no bearing on the products I choose to review or recommend.

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