<;P>;PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new insulin resistance improving agent capable of improving insulin resistance by taking a small amount of cells or cultured products of plant-origin lactic acid bacteria, and foods and medicines having such insulin resistance-improving action. <;P>;SOLUTION: There are provided: the insulin resistance-improving agent containing the cells or cultured products of Lactobacillus plantarum No.14 strain deposited as FERM P-11550; the food containing the insulin resistance-improving agent; and the insulin resistance-improving medicine containing the insulin resistance-improving agent. <;P>;COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT