# Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance is when your tissues stop responding well to insulin, so your pancreas has to pump out more to keep blood sugar in check. It is driven by belly fat (visceral fat), fat stashed in the liver and muscle, chronic inflammation, and inactivity. It underlies prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and fatty-liver disease (MASLD, formerly NAFLD). And it is tied to faster cardiovascular aging, cognitive decline, and a shorter healthspan.

## Sources

- DeFronzo RA, Tripathy D. (2009). Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance Is the Primary Defect in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc09-S302

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/glossary/insulin-resistance · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-06-22_