High-fat Diet And Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not respond properly to insulin. If uncontrolled, it can lead to type 2 diabetes. A high-fat diet can generally be a contributing factor in insulin resistance, but a high-fat diet of the right kind can actually help control insulin resistance.

Insulin

Insulin is the body's food delivery guy. By binding to receptors on hungry cells, it allows cell food, or glucose, to enter the cells, where it can be used as a source of energy. When insulin binds to a receptor embedded in the cell membrane, a molecule that can transport glucose into the cell inserts itself into the cell membrane. Glucose then enters the cell through the channel in the cell membrane. Once inside the cell, glucose converts into energy, or it turns into fat or a stored form of glucose called glycogen.

Insulin Resistance

If you become resistant to insulin, your body produces insulin, but the insulin either does not bind properly to the receptors on the cell surfaces or the receptors do not transfer the insulin signal properly to the interior of the cells. Insulin resistance makes it difficult for the body's cells to get enough fuel, and the cells are starving. To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin and releases it into the bloodstream. When the body is resistant to insulin, insulin and glucose accumulate in the bloodstream.

Dietary Fat and Insulin Resistance

Dietary fat in the food you consume can be a contributing factor in producing insulin resistance. A diet high in fat could cause weight gain and obesity. Obesity is linked to insulin resistance. No one knows why obesity causes insulin resistance. One theory is that when too much glucose enters the cell, a membrane that synthesizes proteins inside the cells tells the insulin receptor in the cell membrane that it is time to stop responding to insulin.

High-Fat Diet to Treat Insulin Resistance

According to a report published in the December 2005 issue of "Nutrition & Metabolism," a diet high in fat, if carefully composed, can also help control insulin resistance. Fat cannot convert into glucose, so if you eat slightly fewer calories than your body uses, and you restrict carbohydrates significantly and stick to adequate protein levels, your body cannot produce high amounts of glucose. When the blood levels of glucose are low, the pancreas produces less insulin. So the right kind of high-fat diet can help you control insulin resistance. If your diet is high in fat, try to choose good rather than bad fats. Sources of good fats include olive oil, salmon, tuna, sardines, avocado and nuts.