For anyone who has struggled with weight loss, you have probably heard the term “insulin resistance”. Insulin is the hormone that helps our body regulate blood sugar levels when we consume carbohydrates or sugars. Insulin resistance also contributes to our body storing unneeded fat! Unfortunately, the prevalence of insulin resistance and obesity is increasing at alarming rates. For Americans, the endless supply of convenient foods, ultra-processed foods, and sugary drinks has contributed to this problem. Sedentary jobs and day-to-day conveniences such as online shopping and grocery pickups that make our hectic lives much easier have also contributed to a decrease in physical activity.
So, what is insulin resistance? It’s exactly like it sounds, our bodies can become resistant to our own insulin, which in turn increases the amount of insulin needed to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The more insulin we have, the more resistant we become, and this process continues in a spiral. Being insulin resistant does not mean that you are a diabetic, but it does increase the risk of diabetes and other metabolic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Several new medications have become available in the past few years that are intended for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but also help with weight loss and are now being used for this sole purpose, even in non-diabetic patients. One of these medications is semaglutide, also know by the brand names Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. Semaglutide, when paired with lifestyle changes of eating healthy and regular exercise, can assist in your weight loss journey and improve insulin resistance for a healthier future.
So, if weight gain or difficulty losing weight is a struggle for you, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with me. Let us help you evaluate whether insulin resistance or other hormonal imbalances may be contributing to your struggle with weight, take a deep dive into lifestyle habits, and see if semaglutide might be a good option for you.