No, higher-than-normal insulin levels are generally not good. While insulin is crucial for regulating blood sugar, excessively high levels, a condition called hyperinsulinemia, are associated with various health problems.
Understanding Insulin and Hyperinsulinemia
Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps your body's cells absorb glucose (sugar) from your blood for energy. When insulin levels are consistently elevated, your body develops insulin resistance. This means your cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to persistently high blood sugar levels. This can eventually lead to type 2 diabetes.
According to Cleveland Clinic (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24178-hyperinsulinemia), hyperinsulinemia occurs when your blood contains more insulin than normal due to insulin resistance. This is further supported by Mayo Clinic's explanation that hyperinsulinemia is linked to insulin resistance (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/expert-answers/hyperinsulinemia/faq-20058488).
Negative Consequences of High Insulin Levels
Multiple sources highlight the negative effects of chronically high insulin:
- Weight Gain: Elevated insulin promotes fat storage, leading to weight gain, which worsens insulin resistance (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22206-insulin-resistance). This is also noted by Mayo Clinic in their article on insulin and weight gain (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/insulin-and-weight-gain/art-20047836).
- Cardiovascular Issues: Studies link high insulin levels to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high triglyceride levels (https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22206-insulin-resistance, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32819363/).
- Insulin Resistance: The cycle continues as high insulin leads to resistance, further exacerbating the problem (https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-020-01688-6).
In summary, while insulin is essential, consistently high levels are detrimental to health. Maintaining balanced insulin levels through a healthy lifestyle is crucial for preventing these negative consequences.
