Definition: Insulin resistance refers to an abnormal metabolic state during which the body's cells lose sensitivity to insulin. There is a direct connection between the development of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
If you are insulin resistant, your muscle, fat, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. The pancreas produces more insulin that normal to cope with the body's demands. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up, and excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream.
Insulin resistance generally rises with increasing body fat. Lack of exercise further reduces muscles’ ability to use insulin.
Examples: Insulin resistance has no symptoms; one could suffer from the condition for several years without noticing anything is wrong.
