Abstract
Breaking Down Insulin Resistance
Highlights
The hormone insulin is critical for maintaining metabolic balance in the body
The action of insulin promotes storage of fat in white adipose tissue (WAT), forcing skeletal muscle to rely on glucose for fuel, and preventing liver cells from releasing glucose into the blood
There’s evidence that excess fatty acid might drive insulin resistance by impairing signaling from the insulin receptor and blocking glucose transport. This may explain why insulin resistance is frequently observed in the obese, who have high WAT mass as a proportion of total body weight
Summary
The hormone insulin is critical for maintaining metabolic balance in the body. For example, skeletal muscle cells can’t take up glucose on their own, and require insulin exposure to spur uptake and use of glucose. The action of insulin promotes storage of fat in white adipose tissue (WAT), forcing skeletal muscle to rely on glucose for fuel, and preventing liver cells from releasing glucose into the blood. This is risky for the body because high fatty acid levels can wreak havoc with metabolic functions and cause tissue inflammation.
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