Insulin resistance, what is the disorder that Valentina Ferragni was diagnosed with

«I discovered that all the tests I had done last year (in which I was” diagnosed “with insulin resistance) are flawed and practically null (I will not go into detail because it is a very long and not very beautiful theme). So now, after a year, I will redo all the exams from scratch and we hope to have nothing “.

With these words entrusted to Instagram, a few days ago, Valentina Ferragni he updated his followers on his health conditions, in particular, on the diagnosis received last year and which to date seems to be still to be verified, of insulin resistance. A disorder that, if not kept under control, can have important repercussions on health.

Insulin resistance can be described as one resistance to insulin action – explains Dr. Livio Luzi, Full Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Milan and Director of the Department of Endocrinology, Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases of the MultiMedica Group – insulin is a key hormone in activating and generally regulating metabolism body: this means that if a person shows increased resistance to insulin, he has an altered metabolism ».

Generally this disorder is considered a wake-up call for the diabetes type 2 never risk factors and triggers they seem to be actually multiple.

“Insulin resistance was demonstrated for the first time around the end of the seventies, in a very specific and very large population, namely that of diabetic patients, in particular with type 2 diabetes – explains Professor Luzi – For this initially it was thought to be the main cause of diabetes and to be limited to this condition. Later, however, it was shown that this disorder is also related obesity, arterial hypertension and numerous other conditions. Basically, today we know that insulin resistance is a transversal alteration: it is not specific to a disease but it is rather a marker of impaired body metabolism which can predispose to various pathologies such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and some forms of cancer “.

A problem, therefore, that it is good to keep under control but that it does not give immediate symptoms that can facilitate diagnosis.

“Let’s say there are no symptoms but rather gods signs that may be suspicious insulin resistance and which can therefore induce to perform diagnostic tests – explains Professor Luzi – Alarm bells are for example the high blood sugar, overweight, hypertension but also a familiarity with diabetes type 2. In women, moreover, a pathology that is almost always associated with insulin resistance is polycystic ovary syndrome. In case of clinical suspicion, therefore, we proceed with the tests “.

Once I am diagnosed with insulin resistance, what should I do? “The lifestyle is essential – recommends the expert – The first strategy to improve insulin sensitivity is in fact to treat the lifestyle, following a healthy nutritionrich in antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamin C and vitamin E, associated with a regular physical activity, even better if an aerobic one, at moderate intensity, such as brisk walking, running, or swimming. Depending on the age of the patient and his habits “.

As for therapies, is it possible to use drugs to treat insulin resistance? “Exist drugs classified as insulin mimetics – concludes Professor Luzi – but, apart from rare exceptions, they are indicated only in case of diabetes. This means that in obese or hypertensive people, for example, insulin resistance is not treated with this type of drug “.

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