Pre-Diabetes Info Center

Syndrome X

Syndrome X: The Silent Killer

If you have Syndrome X - and 60 to 75 million Americans do -- the widely recommended low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet may be the surest route to a heart attack.

Someone with Syndrome X has very high insulin levels, along with high blood fats and unusually small and dense particles of LDL (low-density lipoprotein)- the dangerous stuff. Diets high in carbohydrates or protein - like the American Heart Association and Zone diets--actually lead to more insulin production. Reaven says this starts a chain reaction in people with Syndrome X that leads to damaged arteries and eventually to heart attacks.

The solutions to the problem start with a low-carbohydrate diet that's high in unsaturated fats--fish, nuts, oils, and margarine and mayonnaise made from safflower oil.

 

 

Pre-Diabetes

Signs and Symptoms of Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition that increases the chances of developing pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease

The term insulin resistance is used when a person makes insulin but resists the effects of insulin.

A person that is insulin resistant often has elevated fasting blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, but some patients with insulin resistance may have normal blood glucose (fasting and after meals), and might even "pass" an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). In fact, some people with insulin resistance may experience rapid changes in blood sugar and even suffer from bouts of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

But in order to maintain normal glucose levels, a person who is insulin resistant will over produce insulin. When insulin levels are elevated it is called "hyperinsulinemia."

Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are early warning indicators of being ar risk for developing pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance can also be an indication of another underlying disease or disorder such as Addison's disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Cushing's Syndrome, or thyroid problems like Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Many people with insulin resistance also have:

  • High blood sugar (blood glucose), but they may also have episodes of low blood sugar, or even normal blood sugar levels;
  • Carry excess weight around the waist;
  • Have high LDL (bad) blood cholesterol levels, low HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and high levels of triglycerides (a form fat in the blood);
  • High blood pressure

 

Who Should be Tested for Insulin Resistance? contains a chart detailing at-risk signs and symptoms by age and gender.

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Resources

Pre-Diabetes Glossary and Definitions

Illustrated Pre-diabetes Medical Encyclopedia

Shop the Pre-diabetes.com Amazon Store

 

Some additional physical signs and symptoms of insulin resistance include:

  • Obesity
  • Acanthosis nigricans
  • Skin tags
  • Excessive acne (especially in adults)
  • Hirsutism (excess facial and body hair in women)
  • Irregular or absent periods
  • Thinning scalp hair (women)
  • Erectile dysfunction (men)
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • Carving for carbohydrates
  • Increased thirst
  • Fatigue

 

Excess (over produced) insulin is not excreted - it is stored as fat in the body.

This is one reason why people with insulin resistance gain weight more easily than those who are not insulin resistant.

Two Classic Signs of Insulin Resistance

Picture of acanthosis nigricans in the arm pit

Acanthosis Nigricans: Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is typically characterized by hyperpigmentation (darkening of skin pigment) and usually accompanied by a velvety change in texture of the skin that is affected.  Read More

Picture of skin tags on the neck

Skin Tags: A skin tag is a benign (non-cancerous) skin growth that can occur on the body or face. They can be are smooth or wrinkled, skin-colored or just slightly darker than skin color, and vary in size and can grow as large as a big grape. Read more

 

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