Insulin sensitivity

Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin sensitivity refers to how sensitive the body's cells are in response to insulin. High insulin sensitivity allows the cells of the body to use blood glucose more effectively, reducing blood sugar. Conversely, low insulin sensitivity, also known as Insulin Resistance, can lead to type 2 Diabetes.

Pronunciation

In-suh-lin Sen-si-tiv-ity

Etymology

The term "insulin" comes from the Latin insula, meaning "island," referring to the insulin-producing islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. "Sensitivity" comes from the Latin sensitivus, meaning "impressible."

Related Terms

• Glucose Tolerance
• Hyperinsulinemia
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Insulin Resistance
• Type 2 Diabetes

Understanding Insulin Sensitivity

Insulin sensitivity varies from person to person. When cells become less sensitive to insulin (insulin resistant), the body needs to produce more insulin to keep blood glucose levels in check. Over time, the pancreas may not be able to keep up with this increased demand, leading to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Factors that can improve insulin sensitivity include regular exercise, a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy weight. Certain medications, such as Metformin, can also improve insulin sensitivity.

See Also

• Insulin
• Pancreas
• Blood Glucose
• Type 1 Diabetes

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Insulin sensitivity
• Wikipedia's article - Insulin sensitivity

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