Glycemic Control: Key to Metabolic Health
What is Metabolic Health?
Metabolic health is often defined by what it is not: the absence of conditions or factors that increase the risk of cardiometabolic disorders.1,2 Experts typically describe being metabolically healthy as the absence of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, diabetes, and/or high blood pressure (ie, hypertension).1
How Is Insulin Resistance Related to Metabolic Health?
The body’s ability to metabolize glucose is one of the fundamental components of metabolic health.1 Insulin sensitivity plays a key role in metabolic health, with studies showing that insulin resistance is a shared characteristic of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (CVD).3–5
The pathogenesis of cardiometabolic disorders and their risk factors is closely associated with insulin resistance.3,6–9 For instance, insulin resistance is known to develop hand-in-hand with obesity, with abdominal obesity leading to hyperlipidemia (ie, high blood lipid levels), hyperglycemia (ie, high blood glucose levels), and hyperinsulinemia (ie, elevated insulin levels), and subsequently resulting in pancreatic b-cell damage and insulin resistance through complex mechanisms.6–9 In addition to characterizing metabolic syndrome and obesity, insulin resistance also plays a key role in the development of CVD.3 It is known to increase inflammation and lipid accumulation in the blood vessels, which can promote the build-up and hardening of cholesterol plaques in arteries.
Is Glycemic Control Important in Improving Metabolic Health?
Various guidelines emphasize the importance of improving insulin sensitivity and obtaining glycemic control for metabolic health.2,10 For instance, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends weight loss and increased physical activity to normalize blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels in those with metabolic syndrome.2 The 2019 American College of Cardiology (ACC) and AHA guideline on the prevention of CVD reiterates similar recommendation.10 Hyperglycemia and T2DM are recognized as key risk factors for CVD, and the ACC/AHA strongly suggests improving glycemic control through increased physical activity and healthy dietary changes that promote weight loss.
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The content of this article is intended to provide a general information and knowledge on the subject matter. The views expressed in newsletters, articles, and blogs in the i-SENS USA website are not necessarily those of i-SENS Incorporated, i-SENS USA Incorporated or our publishers. Medical or nutritional information on i-SENS USA website is not intended to replace professional medical advice – you should always consult a specialist with any questions about your specific circumstances.
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