Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP James L. Holly, M.D. Southeast Texas Medical Associates, LLP


Letters - Obesity and Insulin Resistance
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How are obesity and insulin resistance related?  

A television ad for a plant -based substance (Golo) asserts that some people have low metabolism implying that they think that that is the cause of their obesity.  The ad then claims that the real cause of their difficulty in losing weight is actually insulin resistance syndrome. 

The implication is that insulin resistance is not only the cause of obesity but that it is also the cause of making it difficult to lose weight.

Before I post a collection of articles I have written on this subject let me define several terms:

Metabolism Rate — this is the measure,  in calories, of how much energy it takes to “operate” the body each day.  The rate can change based on a person’s gender, weight and activity level. There are some endocrine impacts on the BMR (Basal Metabolism Rate) such as thyroid, growth hormone and cortisol levels. 

Insulin Resistance — this is a condition where the normal effect of insulin is muted.  Insulin normally causes muscle and liver cells to “take up” glucose. Insulin also triggers the liver to stop producing glucose out of proteins, fats and carbohydrates.  In insulin resistance cells don’t take up glucose, and  the liver does not stop making glucose.   Over time this glucose is stores as fat and the blood sugar goes up which can produce pre-diabetes and then diabetes.  There are a few conditions which produce insulin resistance without first storing fat such as poly cystic ovarian syndrome )PCOS).

Body Fat and Abdominal Obesity — Rather than being passive, inert repositories is excess calories, fat cells are little engines producing numerous substances all but one are harmful to the body. While all cancers are made worse by obesity, a few are directly caused by obesity.  Many diseases are caused by obesity such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc.

Syndrome X, Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome, Cardiometabolic Risk Syndrome  —  these are four names for the same condition. More about this later

At the end of the following articles you find  multiple links to other articles about nutrition and health.  If you have any questions. I will be glad too PO respond to your inquiry. 

  1. Eating Right For Your Heart and Health  Eating Right for your Heart and your Health: Glycemic Index -- Fiber -- Calories -- Fats This introduces the glycemic level of founds, fiber and fat 

  2. More about glycemic level and insulin. Glycemic: Insulin - Friend or Foe?. Is insulin your friend or your foe?

  3. The Glycemic Index and the Glycemic load. Beyond the Glycemic Index - The Glycemic Load

  4. Expands on insulin resistance and food choices. Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors - Part XII - Insulin Resistance

  5. ORAC — the oxygen radical absorption capacity explained and why is cooked spinach so good for you Popeye and Spinach: The Cartoons Had It Right

  6. Why is fat bad Metabolic Syndrome: The Disharmonious Quartet

  7. Nutrition (Diet) Exercise and Health Chronic Disease - Effects of Exercise and Diet - Part V Metabolic Syndrome

  8. A Multi-part Series Detailing the Importance of the Cardiometabolic Risk Syndrome   Cardiometabolic Risk Syndrome Part I: Introduction

James (Larry) Holly, M.D.
Former C.E.O. SETMA

www.jameslhollymd.com

Adjunct Professor
 Family & Community Medicine
UT Health San Antonio
Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine