--- title: "Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR" description: "High insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is linked to increased risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic adults, but high fasting…" url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.html" type: "study" study_key: "s145" journal: "Biosci Rep" year: 2017 pmid: "28811358" doi: "10.1042/BSR20170947" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/s145 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Biosci Rep | | Year | 2017 | | PMID | [28811358](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28811358/) | | DOI | [10.1042/BSR20170947](https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20170947) | | Study key | s145 | ## Takeaway High insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is linked to increased risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic adults, but high fasting insulin alone is not. ## The question Is elevated fasting insulin or insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in non-diabetic adults? ## Hypothesis The study aimed to evaluate the association of elevated fasting insulin levels or insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in non-diabetic adults, given conflicting results from previous studies. ## Methods This meta-analysis searched PubMed and Embase databases for prospective observational studies published until November 2016. Studies investigating the association of elevated fasting insulin or HOMA-IR with cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in non-diabetic adults were included. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled for the highest compared with the lowest categories of fasting insulin or HOMA-IR. ## Results Seven articles involving 26,976 non-diabetic adults were included. The pooled adjusted RR for all-cause mortality was 1.13 (95% CI: 1.00-1.27) for fasting insulin and 1.34 (95% CI: 1.11-1.62) for HOMA-IR. For cardiovascular mortality, the pooled adjusted RR was 2.11 (95% CI: 1.01-4.41) for HOMA-IR (from two studies) and 1.40 (95% CI: 0.49-3.96) for fasting insulin (from one study). ## Conclusion Insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR, but not fasting insulin, appears to be independently associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in non-diabetic adults. ## Limitations The association of fasting insulin and HOMA-IR with cardiovascular mortality may be unreliable due to the small number of articles included for these specific associations. ## Verbatim from the abstract > insulin resistance is independently associated with greater risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality ## Pooled Adjusted Risk Ratios for Mortality (Highest vs. Lowest Category) | Measure | Risk Ratio (RR) | | --- | --- | | Fasting Insulin (All-cause mortality) | 1.13 | | HOMA-IR (All-cause mortality) | 1.34 | | HOMA-IR (Cardiovascular mortality) | 2.11 | | Fasting Insulin (Cardiovascular mortality) | 1.4 | *Risk ratios comparing the highest category of fasting insulin or HOMA-IR to the lowest category for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.* ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Fasting Insulin / HOMA-IR Kit | Measurement tool | [Fasting Insulin / HOMA-IR Kit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/145.md) | ## Reference 1. **Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR** Biosci Rep 2017 · [PMID 28811358](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28811358/) · [DOI 10.1042/BSR20170947](https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20170947) > insulin resistance is independently associated with greater risk of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.html","name":"Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR","description":"High insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is linked to increased risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic adults, but high fasting…","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s145.html#study","name":"Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR","headline":"Evidence: Fasting insulin and HOMA-IR","datePublished":"2017","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Biosci Rep"},"identifier":"PMID:28811358","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28811358/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.1042/BSR20170947","abstract":"High insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) is linked to increased risk of death from any cause and cardiovascular disease in non-diabetic adults, but high fasting insulin alone is not."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [Fasting Insulin / HOMA-IR Kit](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/145.md) — product graded on this and related evidence - [Contrasting associations of insulin resistance with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d25264116.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).