 Fatigue is a condition that has long been associated with excess weight and
obesity. Although once viewed as just another unfortunate factor in the
weight gain equation, recent research has helped change attitudes by
revealing the biochemical foundation of this debilitating condition. Fatigue
and obesity are now known to be linked to a common abnormality - a condition
known as Insulin Resistance.
In a healthy body of normal weight, insulin facilitates the transport of
glucose into trillions of cells where it can then be utilized for energy.
Insulin Resistance desensitizes the cells of your body to insulin and
impairs this complex - and vital - process. As a result, glucose and insulin
levels become unbalanced in your blood stream, which can lay the groundwork
for Pre-Diabetes and other serious health risks.
How Does Insulin Resistance Happen?
Under certain conditions the chemistry of the body can become unbalanced,
causing problems with metabolic processes and resulting in an array of
serious health concerns.
 How does the body get so out of balance? Genetic predisposition certainly
appears to be a culprit in the case of excess weight gain and associated
fatigue; however, evidence indicates that lifestyle factors such as high fat
and carbohydrate diets, physical inactivity and smoking are the triggers for
widespread metabolic malfunction and possibly influence "mis-signaling" in
the genetic pathway.
An article published by the Diabetes Center in Santa Barbara quotes Gerald
Reaven, MD, professor of medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine, as
saying that about "50 percent of a person's degree of Insulin Resistance
can be attributed to genetics and 50 percent can be attributed to lifestyle
factors. For example, obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking all increase
the degree of Insulin Resistance." (1)
Energy-starved Cells
 Insulin Resistance starves the cells of glucose to such an extent that they
are unable to produce enough energy for the body's needs. Cutting off the
cells’ energy source causes a profound sense of fatigue and often stimulates
an urge to ingest more carbohydrates. This continues the cycle and
facilitates a cascade of problems such as Type 2 Diabetes, the cluster of
increased risks for cardiovascular disease called Metabolic Syndrome, also
known as Syndrome X and thyroid dysfunction.
Thyroid Dysfunction
As we have seen, when the body's chemistry is unbalanced there is a
ripple-effect throughout the body's systems. Thyroid dysfunction,
particularly hypothyroidism, is commonly associated with excess weight.
Research indicates that excess fat cells manufacture excess estrogen which
can inhibit thyroid function, slowing the metabolism and increasing the
sense of fatigue. Thyroid disorders can have a significant effect on blood
glucose levels and, left untreated, can affect Diabetes control. Symptoms of
hypothyroidism are common in people with Type 2 Diabetes who may experience
fatigue, weight gain, feeling cold, dry skin and hair, heavy menstrual
cycles, constipation and slowed thinking. (2)
Fighting Fatigue
Exercise improves Insulin Resistance and increases energy levels. (3)
Generally, within days of beginning a healthy exercise program and before
any noticeable weight loss occurs, the body's resistance to insulin starts
to diminish. (4) In fact, most experts agree that physical activity
combined with a sound nutritional plan is the fastest, safest way to
counteract this potentially deadly set of metabolic circumstances.
If you wish to return to optimum health, you should consider a system that
combines nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbs and minerals that are
disease-specific), a realistic exercise program, nutritional guidance, an
awareness of food addiction and a support system that can help you change unhealthy
lifestyle choices. The Insulite System for Excess Weight and Obesity promotes weight loss with formulations like InsulX, which is designed to reverse Insulin Resistance by increasing insulin sensitivity.
You may be interested in some Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs) about Excess Weight and Obesity and the Insulite Excess Weight and Obesity System.
(1, 4) The Ins and Outs of Insulin Resistance
- International Food Information Council. May/June 2000.
(2) Thyroid disease
- Canadian Diabetes Association. May 2006.
(3) Insulin Resistance Syndrome
- Goutham Roa, M.D, Am Fam Physician 2001;63:1159-63,1165-6.
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