Insulin resistance is a condition where the body's insulin doesn't work properly. Insulin is the hormone we need to use our food as energy and which keeps blood glucose levels under control. In the early stages of insulin resistance, the body compensates for the fact that the insulin isn't working by producing more insulin. While this keeps the blood glucose levels under control, high insulin levels can cause many other problems including weight gain/difficulties losing weight, raised cholesterol and blood pressure and a increased risk of developing diabetes and heart disease. In women, insulin resistance is often linked with PCOS.

Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), also known as pre-diabetes, occurs when the body can no longer produce extra insulin and the blood glucose levels rise. This is likely to occur if insulin resistance is left untreated and can progress to type 2 diabetes. The good news is that there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Two large studies have now shown that people with IGT who modify their diet and include some regular exercise have a 58% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes - that is more than half the risk of those who don't make changes.

Eating the right foods can help assist in improving insulin resistance and IGT, helping you to manage your weight, lower blood fat and blood pressure levels and reduce your risk of developing diabetes or cardiovascular disease. For women with PCOS, improving insulin resistance through diet and exercise can improve the symptoms of this condition.

If you have been diagnosed with insulin resistance or IGT and are unsure of what to eat, we can help you. For more information or to book at appointment, phone 9415 4845 or fill in our Appointment Request form here.