Insulin Resistance: The Metabolic Syndrome

Insulin is a protein hormone which is produced by the beta cells of pancreatic islets; it is the main anabolic hormone of the body. By absorbing carbohydrate especially glucose from the blood into liver fat and skeleton muscle cell, it regulates metabolism of carbohydrate fat and protein. Main purpose of insulin is to control the glucose level in the body. Insulin resistance is a pathological condition characterized by the failure of body cells to respond normally to the hormone insulin. In insulin resistance, the cells become less effective to lower the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Causes of insulin resistance include molecular mechanism, sedentary lifestyle, protease inhibitors, HCV, genetics, etc. The symptoms of insulin resistance are hyperglycemia, high blood sugar level, fatigue, brain fogginess, high blood pressure, polydipsia, polyphagia etc. Risk factors associated with insulin resistance are obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, liver pathologies, hemochromatosis, gastropareses, and polycystic ovary syndrome. The treatment of insulin resistance includes exercise and weight loss. This book unravels the recent studies in the field of insulin resistance. Different approaches, evaluations, methodologies and advanced studies on insulin resistance have been included in this book. It is appropriate for students seeking detailed information in this area as well as for experts.