AIIMS Neurologist: Insulin resistance is one of the most widespread yet underdiagnosed metabolic conditions in the world today. Despite its prevalence, many people remain unaware that their body may already be showing signs of this silent but serious health issue. At its core, insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells stop responding properly to insulin — the hormone responsible for transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into cells, where it is used for energy. When this system fails, glucose accumulates in the blood while cells remain starved of energy. Over time, this leads to persistently high blood sugar levels, weight gain, chronic inflammation, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
The troubling part is that insulin resistance often develops quietly, without obvious symptoms. Many people go years without realizing their body’s metabolic health is deteriorating, only to be diagnosed with diabetes or heart disease much later. According to Dr. Priyanka Sherawat, a neurologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), “Insulin resistance is essentially a situation where your cells are not responding to insulin.” This disruption affects not only glucose metabolism but also brain function, hormonal balance, and overall energy regulation.
Fortunately, early detection and intervention can make a huge difference. By recognizing the subtle signs your body sends, you can reverse insulin resistance and prevent it from progressing into more serious conditions. Here’s everything you need to know — from symptoms and risk factors to lifestyle changes — as explained by medical experts like Dr. Sherawat.
Understanding Insulin Resistance: What Happens Inside Your Body
How Insulin Works
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter cells and be used as fuel. When you eat, your blood sugar levels rise, prompting the pancreas to release insulin. In a healthy body, insulin binds to receptors on cells and signals them to absorb glucose. However, when cells become resistant, they no longer respond efficiently, causing glucose to remain in the bloodstream.
This forces the pancreas to produce even more insulin to compensate, leading to hyperinsulinemia — chronically elevated insulin levels. Over time, this cycle exhausts the pancreas and further worsens blood sugar control, eventually resulting in prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Early Warning Signs of Insulin Resistance
According to Dr. Priyanka Sherawat and other metabolic health experts, insulin resistance often manifests through subtle symptoms that are easy to dismiss. Paying attention to these early warning signs can be life-saving:
1. Persistent Fatigue and Low Energy
When glucose can’t enter cells, they are deprived of energy — even if blood sugar levels are high. This leads to constant tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and sluggishness throughout the day.
2. Increased Hunger and Cravings
Despite eating regular meals, insulin-resistant individuals may feel constantly hungry, especially craving sugary or high-carb foods. This is because the body’s cells are starved for energy, sending false hunger signals to the brain.
3. Weight Gain, Especially Around the Abdomen
Excess insulin promotes fat storage, particularly around the waist and abdomen. Even with normal eating habits, people with insulin resistance often find it difficult to lose weight.
4. Dark, Velvety Patches on the Skin
A condition called acanthosis nigricans — characterized by darkened skin in areas like the neck, armpits, or groin — is a common physical sign of insulin resistance.
5. Brain Fog and Cognitive Decline
Insulin plays a critical role in brain function. Dr. Sherawat warns that insulin resistance can impact cognitive performance, causing memory problems, poor concentration, and slower thinking — symptoms often dismissed as stress or aging.
Read about: Toxic Smog May Be Eroding Brain Health and Accelerating Dementia, New Study Finds
Risk Factors That Increase Your Chances
Several lifestyle and genetic factors can increase the risk of developing insulin resistance:
- Poor diet: High intake of sugar, refined carbs, and processed foods.
- Lack of physical activity: Sedentary lifestyle reduces insulin sensitivity.
- Obesity: Especially abdominal obesity, which worsens insulin resistance.
- Hormonal imbalances: Conditions like PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) often co-exist with insulin resistance.
- Family history: Genetics can predispose individuals to metabolic disorders.
Can Insulin Resistance Be Reversed?
The good news, as Dr. Sherawat points out, is that insulin resistance is reversible, particularly in its early stages. The key is lifestyle intervention.
- Adopt a balanced diet: Focus on whole foods, fiber-rich vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats while minimizing sugar and processed carbs.
- Exercise regularly: Physical activity increases insulin sensitivity by helping muscles absorb glucose more efficiently.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Even a 5–10% reduction in body weight can significantly improve insulin response.
- Manage stress and sleep: Chronic stress and poor sleep can worsen insulin resistance by disrupting hormone balance.
Conclusion
Insulin resistance is more than just a precursor to diabetes — it is a metabolic warning signal that affects nearly every system in the body, including the brain. The condition develops quietly but has serious consequences if left unchecked, including heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and type 2 diabetes. However, the early signs — such as persistent fatigue, abdominal weight gain, dark skin patches, and intense food cravings — are often subtle and easy to miss.
The insight from experts like Dr. Priyanka Sherawat is clear: the earlier you recognize and address insulin resistance, the greater your chances of preventing chronic disease and preserving long-term health. Early medical consultation is crucial, as simple blood tests and lifestyle assessments can identify the problem before irreversible damage occurs.
Reversing insulin resistance doesn’t require drastic measures — small, consistent changes in diet, physical activity, and sleep can dramatically improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. The emphasis should be on prevention, not just treatment.
By listening to your body and acting on these early warning signs, you can restore balance to your metabolism, improve energy levels, and significantly reduce your risk of serious health complications.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is insulin resistance and why is it dangerous?
Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells stop responding properly to insulin, causing glucose to accumulate in the bloodstream. Over time, this leads to chronically high blood sugar levels, weight gain, inflammation, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
2. What are the first signs of insulin resistance I should look out for?
Early symptoms often include persistent fatigue, excessive hunger, unexplained weight gain (especially around the abdomen), dark patches on the skin (acanthosis nigricans), and brain fog. Because these signs are subtle, they’re frequently dismissed until more serious complications arise.
3. Can insulin resistance cause neurological problems?
Yes. Insulin is essential for brain function, including memory and cognition. When the brain becomes insulin-resistant, it can contribute to cognitive decline, memory impairment, and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease — a condition sometimes referred to as “type 3 diabetes.”
4. How is insulin resistance diagnosed?
Doctors typically use blood tests such as fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance), and HbA1c levels. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) may also be used to assess how your body processes glucose over time.
5. Can lifestyle changes reverse insulin resistance completely?
In many cases, yes. Regular exercise, a low-sugar and high-fiber diet, stress management, weight loss, and quality sleep can significantly improve insulin sensitivity and even reverse insulin resistance if implemented early. However, severe cases may require medical treatment and ongoing monitoring.