INS and hematocrit: Although the present study cannot clarify the mechanisms that may explain the association of NC with DM2 and HT due to its design, evidence in the literature allows inferences to be made, and studies have shown positive associations between NC and fasting triglyceride, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, glycosylated hemoglobin, and blood pressure values and the thickness of the carotid intima–media, among others [21,22,23].