INSULIN RESISTANCE

What is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance is one of the most common metabolic health concerns, yet many people don't realize they have it. It occurs when your body's cells become less responsive to insulin, making it harder to move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. Over time, your body produces more insulin to compensate, which can contribute to a variety of health concerns if left unaddressed.

Calculate your HOMA-IR Score

Many people with insulin resistance are told their blood work is "normal" because fasting glucose, HbA1c, and even fasting insulin can remain within the normal laboratory range for years. That's why it's important to look at optimal values, not just whether a result falls within the lab's reference range and calculate your HOMA-IR.

HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) is a simple calculation that uses your fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels to estimate how hard your body is working to keep blood sugar under control. A higher HOMA-IR score may indicate insulin resistance. Use the free calculator below to estimate your HOMA-IR score.

FREE HOMA-IR CALCULATOR

Common Signs & Symptoms:

Fatigue, especially after meals
Sugar or carbohydrate cravings
Increased hunger
Difficulty losing weight
Weight gain, especially around the abdomen
Brain fog
Skin tags, especially in the armpit or on the eyelids
Darkened patches of skin
Elevated blood sugar or prediabetes
High triglycerides

Not everyone experiences the same symptoms, and some people have insulin resistance without obvious signs.

What Causes Insulin Resistance?

Many factors can contribute to insulin resistance, including genetics, chronic stress, poor gut health, toxins and infections, a sedentary lifestyle, excess body fat, PCOS, and dietary habits. Other underlying health conditions may also play a role.