Why Do We Get Fat and Sick?
What if I told you there is one hormone involved in every non-infectious chronic disease… that millions of Americans have become resistant to its benefits, and as a result are becoming fatter and sicker every day… and that the Lehigh Valley is surpassing the rest of the country in obesity, prediabetes and type II diabetes? This is all true. The hormone that I am referring to is insulin. When your body becomes resistant to insulin - in a condition called insulin resistance - you will become fat, sick and, when it worsens, eventually diabetic. It’s important to note that insulin resistance steadily increases in us as we age.
Insulin is a vital hormone without which we cannot survive. It regulates our blood sugar (glucose) in a very complicated process. When we eat sugar rich foods, the sugar enters the bloodstream from our digestive tract. This signals our pancreas to release insulin into the bloodstream. Insulin has a key to open every cell in our body. Its primary function is to distribute the sugar in the blood into our body’s cells so it can be used for energy.
Problems arise when our muscle, liver, and fat cells become resistant to the effects of insulin. The pancreas then has to release even more insulin, increasing the insulin levels in the blood. This makes the body’s cells even more insulin resistant. We should not have high levels of insulin in our bodies for prolonged periods of time. When insulin is chronically elevated in the blood, disease processes begin to develop. Approximately 50% of our population over 35 is insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is a major factor in obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, polycystic ovarian syndrome, heart disease, hardening of the arteries, irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, thyroid dysfunction, fatty liver, stroke, kidney disease, dementia, erectile dysfunction, and hormonal imbalance. This truly is a frightening list.
If you have any of these conditions or are struggling with skin issues, fatigue, inadequate sleep, tiredness after eating or even a pot belly, there is a very good chance you are insulin resistant.
The high incidence of insulin resistance is caused by the Standard American Diet(SAD). Foods and drinks high in sugar, alcohol, refined wheat and grains, processed foods, and vegetable seed oils, all contribute to this problematic condition.
Insulin resistance is also closely associated with obesity. More than 75% of our obese population are insulin resistant. However, more than 50% of lean individuals are also living with insulin resistance. I know this is a lot of information to process. Insulin resistance can be confusing to understand. The good news is that Dr. Augello’s Health and Body has a program that can reverse insulin resistance, and help you to become sensitive to insulin once again. Dr. Mark Augello has helped thousands of patients return to a life of health, wellness, and vibrance.
Dr. Augello offers a free no obligation consultation to help you see whether or not you are insulin resistant. His practice is the only 100% all natural full service health center in the greater Lehigh Valley. To schedule a consultation please call 484-650-1701. You can also visit his website at weightloss-lehighvalley.com for more information.