Chronic high levels of glucose and insulin are classic symptoms of Insulin Resistance and Pre-Diabetes, which can lead to heart disease.

One of the primary risk factors for atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is an elevated level of blood lipids called triglycerides. The biggest risk factor for increasing the production of triglycerides is the rate of insulin secretion, which can be severely affected by Insulin Resistance.

Insulin is produced in the pancreas and released into the circulatory system where it is the key to the absorption of glucose by your cells for energy. If the cells resist insulin, then both insulin and glucose build up in the blood stream. Excess insulin leads to weight gain and hypertension - both precursors to Cardiovascular Disease and Pre-Diabetes. As excess insulin comes in contact with the interior wall of the arteries, it damages the tissue.

Additionally, LDL cholesterol particles seen in people who suffer from Insulin Resistance are smaller and more dense than those of people without this condition. This factor has been directly linked to an increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease, heart attacks and stroke, although the exact cause of the relationship is unclear.

Increased LDL cholesterol is one of the underlying symptoms that can trigger a blood test diagnosis of Pre-Diabetes, which, if neglected, may lead to Type 2 Diabetes. This latter condition is lifelong and may require daily insulin.

Obesity, elevated insulin, high blood lipids, poor diet and physical inactivity are known to have an effect on the development of high levels of cholesterol.

Scientists and health care professionals have been warning in recent years of the dangers of high cholesterol. In general, the lower a person's LDL, and the higher their HDL, the lower the risk of Cardiovascular Disease.

Lifestyle Changes are Vital

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) advises that addressing high levels of cholesterol is critical. "But the idea that you can use cholesterol-lowering drugs without lifestyle changes is incorrect," said Scott Grundy, M.D., Ph.D. and the American Heart Association's representative to the NCEP.

"Lifestyle changes have enormous benefits beyond lowering LDL cholesterol, such as raising levels of good cholesterol, lowering triglycerides, improving Pre-Diabetes and reducing inflammation of the arteries," Grundy concluded.

Recommendations for reducing heart disease risk are the same as those for combating Insulin Resistance, namely losing weight to decrease insulin levels by avoiding carbohydrates, balancing cholesterol and lowering blood pressure.

Reversing Pre-Diabetes can help reduce the underlying conditions that lead to heart disease as well as preventing Type 2 Diabetes.

The risks of developing Pre-Diabetes and heart disease can be reversed or reduced through careful food choices, exercise and weight loss in obese individuals. But a multi-faceted approach is clearly necessary to address all the symptoms of these conditions.

What's needed to address the issues presented by these disorders is a complete system, including nutraceuticals (vitamins, herbs and minerals that are disease specific), a realistic exercise program combined with nutritional guidance and a support network that will help you change unhealthy lifestyle choices.

Click here to read about the Insulite Pre-Diabetes System, a unique, scientifically-designed program to reverse Pre-Diabetes before it develops into Type 2 Diabetes, creating a severely increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Among the system's formulations is Pre-SensitX, which contains vanadium sulfate, a compound that lowers cholesterol and increases insulin sensitivity.