What is insulin resistance and how does it relate to NAFLD?
Insulin resistance is a state wherein normal signaling pathways that convey biochemical messages between insulin and its target cells are disrupted. As a result, the insulin does not exert its normal or full effects. Put another way, the body is resistant to the effects of insulin. What does insulin normally do? Well, the pancreas secretes varying amounts of insulin during the day in response to food intake. Insulin works to maintain blood sugar (glucose) at normal levels. Thus, insulin prevents blood glucose from becoming too elevated. If insulin does not work in this way, high blood sugars and diabetes would occur. Insulin is a hormone that acts on the receptors of cells to trigger the complex biochemical reactions that control blood sugar. The cells targeted by insulin are mainly the fat cells (adipocytes), muscle cells (striated myocytes), and the liver cells (hepatocytes). In insulin resistance, a defect in these insulin receptors causes insulin to be less effective than it normal
