TED Talk - Insulin Resistance and Obesity

[deedadumble 1,033]

Extremely interesting and emotional TED talk from Peter Attia, MD. http://www.ted.com/talks/peter_attia_what_if_we_re_wrong_about_diabetes.html

What do you all think?

[abranewme 98]

This is the best post I've read all day on this forum! I am super excited that Dr. Attia is spearheading this daunting research!!! What if we do have it all wrong? I know this... My decision to get sleeved is mostly to fight what seems to be my diabetic fight for my life. It's not purely vanity and certainly not something I want to take insulin for the rest of my life.

[abranewme 98]

PS I am done crying now... Whew that was a tear jerker.

[deedadumble 1,033]

I was crying too! I know that I got to be obese by eating too much and not being active enough, but there are so many of us on this site that have issues with hormones, whether its thyroid, insulin, or estrogen. I've always been made to feel at the doctor that I have to solve my obesity problem before they would consider figuring out what else is wrong. I had this surgery to take away the blame placed on me by many doctors that I was the cause of my health issues. I was so tired of feeling like a second class citizen when I went to the doctor. I am hopeful that more research in this area will figure out what is causing an epidemic of metabolic disorders.

[abranewme 98]

Yes yes yes!!!^^^^ I have hormonal issues as well. Hypothyroid.

[clk 3,519]

Thank you so much for sharing this. I've maintained even here on VST that the underlying reasons for obesity and how we lose weight aren't fully understood by the medical field, even if they regularly prescribe the standard 1,200 calorie diet and 90 mins of exercise per week as a cure-all.

Prior to my surgery I was an insulin-resistant type II diabetic. Perhaps it was the very drastic change in diet post op, but the last time I took medication was the insulin they gave me in the hospital after my surgery. My sugars are so good now that they hardly budge all day long, unless I forget several meals or overindulge in something exceptionally sweet.

When I finally had a doctor tell me the signs of insulin resistance? They went back to my CHILDHOOD, a time when I wasn't obese at all - when, in fact, I was the smallest, skinniest kid in my family and my classroom. I can't remember the entire list now, and I'd have to dig out the book that my doctor recommended to me, but chronic Constipation, eczema, endless carbohydrate cravings (even when eating a healthy portion of a complex carb), etc.

I did gain weight starting with puberty and I did continue to pack on pounds over the years despite my many, many diligent attempts to shed weight and get more exercise. I was called a liar, my doctors and nutritionists were condescending and judgmental and I was told that every little ailment I ever had could be cured if only I would just eat less and exercise more.

I have five year old daughter that is very active and a healthy eater. She does not have a diet heavy in processed foods and she does not sit around and consume junk all day. And she has every single indicator of insulin resistance that I had in my childhood - the same indicators my mother and her mother had - and yes, I do in fact come from a long line of short little fat ladies. And she is already obese, even though she gets a great deal of exercise and eats well.

I can only hope that in the future we'll see some breakthroughs that help us better understand the connection between insulin resistance and obesity.

If nothing else, it would be a huge change to have doctors that are actually sympathetic and aren't condescending to us. Nobody knows how to lose weight better than a fat person - we've tried it all - we do not WANT to be fat, and yet the medical profession is constantly treating us as if we're deliberately sabotaging our bodies and as if we're just so incredibly lazy that we don't deserve respect.

~Cheri

[1sunnuri 77]

I watched this on TED the other night. It help confirm everything I had always thought. I personally believe insulin resistance is genetic as well. I also have diabetes type II, PCOS and of course the insulin resistance. My daughter was born with a low sodium deficiency but now is fine. BUT I believe it is and will cause problems as she ages. Here are some things I think are early signs of PCOS, Insulin Resistance and the dreaded Diabetes. Early development, as young as age 8 starting menstrual cycle, an unusual large appetite for carbs, depression and again the ability to gain weight even when active. I have always firmly believed that the closer we eat to organic and real not processed we would definitely be healthier. I think our environment plays a huge roll in our obesity as well. It breeds the insulin resistance like wildfire. I have found that it costs a lot more to eat high Protein low carb. Also with our life styles.

[leigh1111 53]

Omg I seriously had to wipe my eyes on that one. I also have type 2 and was diagnosed before I had gained weight. This video really moved me.

[cindymg 629]

Insulin resistance causes obesity? Interesting idea. That could explain a lot. Thanks for sharing this.

[gamergirl 4,610]

Old thread but I just read it and it was very enlightening. I teeter between not knowing why I weighed as much as I did, and believing it was too much sugar, even though my overall calories were not high enough to justify my weight. This theory bolsters my belief. I was def insulin resistant so maybe I was right when I thought calorie math was a bunch of BS for me.

It does make me question how I might have done had I followed my current hi-Protein low-carb diet before ever getting sleeved? Maybe that's all I had needed but had refused to do?

[sharika 62]

So powerful and thought provoking. Makes me want to forgive myself a little, too.

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Lovely how he did that. I love TED talks! Hope we (human beings) find an answer to Metabolic syndrome and Obesity soon... and in the mean time, spread the compassion around liberally. Honestly, I hope there are research Drs reading this site, there is a wealth of information and direct observation here to learn from....

[Arts137 1,811]

And again... maybe a key 'culprit' (at least for me) is simple carbs, sugars and over processed foods.