The insulin resistance paradox scientists are unravelling
For years, insulin resistance has carried a simple warning: trouble may be ahead. It happens when the body becomes less responsive to insulin, forcing it to produce more to keep blood sugar under control.
Insulin resistance has long been regarded as a harbinger of health decline, particularly in the context of type 2 diabetes. The condition arises when the body becomes less responsive to insulin, prompting it to produce more to maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, fresh research challenges this simplistic view. A comprehensive genetic study, involving data from 458,784 individuals of European descent, has revealed a puzzling anomaly.
One mild, lifelong form of insulin resistance, typically associated with adverse health outcomes, may not carry the same risks.
Researchers from the University of Exeter identified 524 people with rare genetic alterations in a gene regulating insulin response. Despite these changes, these individuals exhibited improved health metrics. They displayed lower blood fat and "bad" cholesterol levels, higher "good" cholesterol, healthier liver function, and a more favorable waist-to-hip ratio.
Surprisingly, their body weight remained comparable to that of other participants. Most notably, they were not at increased risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or experiencing mortality from any cause.
This intriguing finding contradicts the prevailing notion that all forms of insulin resistance are uniformly detrimental. The researchers suggest that the manner in which insulin resistance develops may play a more significant role than its mere presence. However, they caution that this does not negate the connection between insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, which remains a critical health concern.
This study, presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting, is still in its preliminary stages and has not yet been published as a comprehensive scientific paper. Nevertheless, researchers are eager to unravel the underlying mechanisms behind this rare inherited form of insulin resistance, hoping that their findings could eventually pave the way for novel strategies to enhance overall health and well-being.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Star BD Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
