INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It is the summation of your laboratory test results that determines your likelihood of having insulin resistance. Because insulin resistance is tested for by a variety of indirect measurements (such as testing blood glucose levels as well as blood lipid levels), it is the combination of these various test results that leads to the ultimate diagnosis of insulin resistance. If you have elevated blood glucose levels, elevated LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and reduced HDL cholesterol, you most likely have insulin resistance. It is important to book an appointment with your doctor to go over all of your test results. Your doctor is the one with the medical training and experience to officially make the diagnosis of insulin resistance. Your doctor can read and interpret the test results, and together you can come up with a treatment plan if necessary. In addition to laboratory tests, there are also signs and symptoms that may be suggestive of insulin resistance. These include: Obesity Increased waist circumference Increased thirst Increased urination Fatigue Blurry vision or other vision problems You may be wondering: Who should get tested for insulin resistance? If you have clinical signs and symptoms of insulin resistance (described above), you should speak to your doctor about getting tested. If you are over 45, you are eligible for routine screening of your blood sugars (one of the indirect ways to assess for insulin resistance). If your results are normal upon initial testing, you are eligible for repeat screening tests every three years. You are also eligible for screening tests for insulin resistance if you have any of the following risk factors: a BMI (body mass index) greater than 25 (i.e. if you are overweight), a sedentary lifestyle, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, a history of heart disease, a history of PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), if you have a close relative who has been diagnosed with diabetes, and/or if you have delivered a baby who weighed over 9 pounds at the time of birth (a larger than normal baby is an indication that you may have poor blood sugar control). People may ask: Why do we worry about insulin resistance? The answer is because insulin resistance is part of a constellation of health issues that very often go hand-in-hand. If you have one, you are more likely to have (or to develop) the others, because the risk factors for each of these ongoing health conditions are very similar and often overlapping. It is worth talking to your doctor about health conditions that insulin resistance increases your risk of having, including: Heart disease High blood pressure Diabetes Liver disease Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

SUMMARY: Talk to your doctor about all of your test results to draw a conclusion about insulin resistance. Evaluate for signs and symptoms of insulin resistance. Get screened for insulin resistance. Talk to your doctor about the risks that insulin resistance can predispose you to.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Good foods you may want to consider adding or substituting into your diet are as follow: Good protein sources include skinless chicken breast, ground turkey, bison, egg whites, Greek yogurt, and tofu. Good fat sources include almonds, peanuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, fish, egg yolks, and olive oil. Good carbohydrate sources include unprocessed carbohydrates such as sweet potatoes, brown rice, fruit, oatmeal, bran, wheat germ, Bulgarian wheat, beans, and vegetables. Highly processed foods include bread, pastries, pasta, fast food, and frozen prepared meals. The reason for avoiding processed food is threefold: First, processed food is usually high in calories and low in nutrients. Second, processed carbohydrates usually have high glycemic indexes, which means they cause insulin spikes that can promote weight gain - not what you want when trying to lose body fat. Third, processed food usually does not contain much fiber, which can leave you feeling hungry. It helps to diet with the people you live with. It is easier to eat clean if you are not surrounded by temptation and bad influences. Try to enlist family and roommates to join your diet. Do yourself a favor and throw out any junk food in your house. It is easier to stay on your diet if tempting junk food is not in easy reach. Go to the store and stock up on the food you need for your diet, lean proteins, vegetables and complex carbohydrates. Spread your calories out throughout the day. Consider eating 5-6 small meals a day instead of just three. Also make sure to eat breakfast when you first wake up. Drink water with and between meals. This will help you feel fuller while dieting. The only way to make this diet work is to follow it. The only way you know you are following this diet, is if you record everything you eat or drink. This includes recording accurate portion sizes. Do not estimate portion sizes; use measuring cups/spoons, or better yet weight everything.

SUMMARY:
Incorporate good foods into your diet. Cut out highly processed foods. Enlist family/roommates. Clean your kitchen. Go grocery shopping. Eat frequent, small meals. Drink water. Record everything.