A hormone that allows glucose to enter the cells of our body so it can be burned. Insulin resistance occurs when the cells of our muscles, fat and liver no longer respond to the insulin signal. Glucose can't get in, and the cells starve. They send signals to the pancreas to produce even more glucose. The glucose builds up in the blood. Insulin resistance is the primary defect in metabolic syndrome, the cluster of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, etc. Leptin is a satiety hormone that is released by adipocytes. They tell the brain that they have enough energy so we can stop eating. Ghrelin is a hunger hormone released from the stomach that tells the brain to eat more. When insulin is working well, it tells the body to store energy, and the brain to stop eating. When we become insulin resistant, the leptin signal is blocked, and ghrelin runs things, so we are always hungry. # Fat Only 3 types of cells are supposed to store energy: - subcutaenous adipose tissue (butt) - visceral adipose tissue (belly) - muscle and liver tissue (only in the form of starch) Fat stored anywhere else is called ectopic, and will cause metabolic dysfunction. Fat in the liver is most predictive of whether someone will develop diabetes.