What causes, or is associated with, insulin resistance?
• Genetics • Obesity (although some normal weight individuals also have insulin resistance). • Abnormalities in glucose transporters, which are supposed to move glucose into the cells. Studies show that some people are deficient in a glucose transporter called GLUT4 and, interestingly, exercise increases GLUT4. • Researchers can’t agree on whether the underlying cause of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance or a defect in insulin secretion, but either condition can lead to the other (i.e. which came first, the chicken or the egg?). For example, if you have insulin resistance, blood glucose rises, since it can’t adequately get into the cells; this causes the pancreas to release more insulin; often, in early stages of type 2 diabetes, there are abnormally large amounts of insulin circulating in the blood; but over time, the pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin. • Stress, infection, severe illness, or steroid use can temporarily increase blood glucose and contribute to insulin re
