Which of the following statements are true of insulin resistance?
A You are diagnosed with insulin resistance when higher and higher levels of blood glucose can no longer be controlled by your body’s insulin secretions. Dangerously high levels of blood glucose lead to many devastating consequences, including blindness, heart disease and infections of all kinds.
B a result of too much glucose in the body – glucose can not flow down a concentration gradient into cells effectively
C insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
D marked by the failure of insulin to lower blood glucose levels
E marked by prolonged elevated levels of insulin in the blood
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct statements are:
A: You are diagnosed with insulin resistance when higher and higher levels of blood glucose can no longer be controlled by your body’s insulin secretions. Dangerously high levels of blood glucose lead to many devastating consequences, including blindness, heart disease, and infections of all kinds.
C: Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes.
D: Insulin resistance is marked by the failure of insulin to lower blood glucose levels.
E: Insulin resistance is marked by prolonged elevated levels of insulin in the blood.
Explanation:
Insulin resistance occurs when the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood glucose levels. As a result, the pancreas compensates by secreting more insulin. However, over time, insulin’s ability to lower blood glucose becomes impaired.
Statement A is true because insulin resistance causes the body to produce more insulin to overcome the diminishing effect on glucose uptake by cells. Despite higher insulin levels, blood glucose levels can rise, leading to complications like heart disease, blindness, and infections.
Statement B is partially true, but it is not entirely accurate. The underlying issue is not simply too much glucose, but rather that the insulin signal is less effective, meaning glucose cannot efficiently enter cells. This builds up glucose in the bloodstream.
Statement C is true because insulin resistance significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Over time, as insulin resistance worsens, the pancreas may not be able to produce enough insulin to compensate, leading to elevated blood glucose levels that result in diabetes.
Statement D is true because in insulin resistance, the body’s cells do not respond adequately to insulin, leading to a failure to lower blood glucose levels effectively.
Statement E is true because the elevated levels of insulin in the bloodstream are a compensatory response to insulin resistance. The pancreas works harder to produce more insulin in an attempt to maintain normal glucose levels, but this elevated insulin level is ineffective in normalizing blood sugar.
Understanding these mechanisms is essential for managing or preventing the progression of insulin resistance to conditions like type 2 diabetes.