Insulin Resistance
A condition where cells do not respond well to insulin, driving weight gain.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Insulin resistance means your body's cells do not respond well to insulin, so your pancreas makes more. High insulin promotes fat storage and makes weight loss harder.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Insulin resistance is impaired glucose uptake in response to physiological insulin concentrations. HOMA-IR > 2.5 indicates insulin resistance. It is central to metabolic syndrome pathogenesis.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
Improving insulin sensitivity through weight loss, exercise, and medications like GLP-1 agonists can break the weight gain cycle and reduce diabetes risk.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.