A silent, overlooked condition may be a clue to chronic diseasesInsulin resistance is increasingly eyed as an underlying cause of cardiometabolic disorders such as heart disease, diabetes and fatty liver.Insulin resistance can have a variety of triggers, such as a high-sugar diet, aging, genetics, lack of activity or visceral fat, a type of fat stored deep in the body that surrounds organs.Justine Goode / NBC News; Getty ImagesJune 7, 2026, 6:30 PM EDTA chronic condition that affects how our bodies regulate blood sugar may be an overlooked culprit behind heart disease, diabetes, fatty liver and possibly some cancers.Just a moment.We are getting your experience ready.