Insulin resistance is the result of the fat build-up that they refer to here is the one on chest and upper back according to HIV Study. This study led by the San Francisco VA Medical Center says that fat build-up in this area is linked to an increased risk of insulin resistance. They say that this is the very first time this relationship has been established.
The lead author and researcher, Carl Grunfield, M.D., PhD, who is the chief of the metabolism and endocrine sections at the San Francisco VA Medical Center says that the association between visceral fat and insulin resistance risk has been studied before but nobody looked at the upper trunk fat.
We know that insulin is the hormone that controls the blood glucose levels so when the cells become resistant to the insulin action, the end result is high blood glucose which has bad effects on the body. Grunfeld further observes that people with lots of fat in the upper trunk and not much in the stomach are at risk to develop insulin resistance. But if you have both, he says the risk is rather high.
The results was strong in both HIV infected participants and the ones who did not have HIV in the FRAM (Fat Redistribution and Metabolic) Change in HIV infection study. This is a longitudinal study of those who have HIV and are taking modern antiretroviral therapy and HIV negative controls.
When the visceral fat (located between and around the internal organs) is present, the risk of insulin resistance is increased not only among the HIV infected group but also among those who do not have HIV. So this means that it does not matter whether you have HIV or not. Having upper trunk fat is bad for you.
When one is resistant to insulin, the cells in the body are resistant to the action of insulin and we know that insulin is a hormone that regulates the blood sugar levels. We also know the results of the high blood sugar leading to many undesirable health effects.
Grunfeld, University of California’s professor of medicine said that the people who have a lot of fat in their upper trunk and not so much in their stomach are at risk for insulin resistance. If you’ve got both (upper trunk fat and belly fat) you have quite a high risk for insulin resistance.
