Mind Over Platter
by Rosa Smith-Montanaro, Virtual Wellness & Weight Loss Coach

the path towards diabetes. According to the national health and nutrition examination survey in 1999-2002, one-third of the adults with diabetes didn't know they had it. That's over 6 million people.

This increased fat in your midsection is tied to a condition that carries many names called: Insulin Resistance Syndrome, Syndrome X, Metabolic Syndrome, Impaired Glucose Tolerance, or Pre-Diabetes.

It is marked by:

Abdominal obesity
Elevated levels of triglycerides
Low levels of HDL "good" cholesterol
High blood pressure
High blood sugar levels

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is the precursor to diabetes and heart disease. It puts you at a three-fold greater risk for heart attack, and a greater risk for stroke and diabetes. It can be the trigger that causes arterial plaque to build up on the arteries.

What surprises me is that so many of my clients have been diagnosed with HBP, high cholesterol and triglycerides but have never been told by their doctor any thing about insulin resistance and the importance of doing something about it immediately. I think this may be because so many doctors do not stay up with current scientific research and are not themselves that familiar with the connection or with the proper ways to test and diagnose the condition.

If you have insulin resistance, your muscle, fat, and liver cells do not use insulin properly. The pancreas tries to keep up with the demand for insulin by producing more. Eventually, the pancreas cannot keep up with the body's need for insulin, and excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream.

People with insulin resistance have high levels of blood glucose and high levels of insulin circulating in their blood at the same time. Too much insulin floating around in your bloodstream creates inflammation in the body.

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NOTE: Come back tomorrow for Part 2 of this insightful look at midsection fat. My guest columnist will discuss inflammation, lifestyle changes, and the tests you need to take to see your risk.

Valerie Greguire is a Natural Health Consultant.

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