insulin resistance

noun

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Definition of insulin resistance

: reduced sensitivity to insulin by the body's insulin-dependent processes (such as glucose uptake and lipolysis) that is typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes

Recent Examples of insulin resistance from the Web

High trans fat intakes may be associated with an increase in fat in the abdominal cavity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

— shauna downs, Philly.com, "FDA's new ban on trans fats could prevent 20,000 heart attacks annually," 13 June 2018
This hazard most likely results from the harmful effects of this protein on insulin resistance, the precursor to Type 2 diabetes, and development of the metabolic syndrome, a complex of cardiac risk factors.

— New York Times, "The Dangers of Belly Fat," 11 June 2018
Yet neither genetic type nor insulin resistance seemed to explain why different diets worked for different people, says Gardner.

— consumer reports, Washington Post, "Should you match your diet to your genes?," 14 May 2018
Lifestyle adjustments, like maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly, can also help keep insulin resistance in check.

— cari romm, The Cut, "Everything to Know About a New Study on the Causes of PCOS," 18 May 2018
Sugar can contribute to mood swings, weight gain, and, over time, insulin resistance, and there's almost certainly an addictive quality for some people.

— Allure, "Do Gluten-Free, Sugar-Free, or Low-Carb Diets Actually Work?," 16 May 2018
Should the risk of vitamin D deficiency — which can lead to brittle bones and has been associated with insulin resistance, high blood pressure and decreased immune function, among other issues — overshadow years of that advice?

— jamie ducharme, Time, "Should You Stop Wearing Sunscreen To Get More Vitamin D? Here's What a Doctor Says," 14 May 2018
Correction: clarified the relationship between insulin resistance and type II diabetes.

— cathleen o'grady, Ars Technica, "Blind cavefish seem to ignore insulin without health consequences," 23 Mar. 2018
Consider, for instance, that young women with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to have the apple shape and insulin resistance, although their bodies produce plenty of estrogen.

— claudia wallis, Scientific American, "The Belly Fat Battle," 1 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'insulin resistance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of insulin resistance

1927

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

insulin resistance

noun

medical Definition of insulin resistance

: reduced sensitivity to insulin by the body's insulin-dependent processes (as glucose uptake, lipolysis, and inhibition of glucose production by the liver) that results in decreased activity of these processes or an increase in insulin production or both and that is typical of type 2 diabetes but often occurs in the absence of diabetes