Insulin Resistance, the real enemy

Today, it is estimated that 12% of Americans have Type 2 Diabetes, in contrast it is estimated that 1 in 3 Americans are insulin resistant. Unmanaged Insulin Resistance will lead to Diabetes Type 2, in addition to many other chronic and debilitating conditions.

For decades, the standard way to test for diabetes has been checking someone’s blood sugar, whether its random, fasting, or by checking hemoglobin A1c, that provides the average blood sugar reading over a period of 12 weeks. This model of predicting or diagnosing metabolic dysfunction has its roles, but it is considered reactive rather than proactive. Elevated blood sugar is the end point of a decades long metabolic dysfunction, rather than the reason for it.

In conventional medicine, If someones blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c is below a certain cut off point, they are often told you are fine, or your blood sugar is fine, overlooking major warning signs of metabolic dysfunction. This system has failed us, and will continue to fail us. The real focus should not be blood sugar, it should be on insulin.

What is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance indicates the cells reduced ability to response to insulin, the hormone responsible for numerous functions, mainly cells ability to utilize and uptake blood sugar from the blood stream.

Through complex pathways, insulin resistance leads to a vicious cycle of high insulin levels, fat deposition in organs like the liver and the pancreas and significant increase in inflammation. Years later, this leads to increased blood sugar and development of Diabetes Type 2.

Insulin Resistance is the core reason for a large number of chronic illnesses, including heart disease, hypertension, dementia, erectile dysfunction, infertility and many more. Addressing it early on, results in significantly positive health impacts.

How to detect Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance can be diagnosed through numerous and powerful markers, yet it is rarely checked for by doctors. These are some of the markers you should ask your doctor to look at to evaluate for insulin resistance:

Fasting insulin: Fasting insulin levels should not excess 10 µIU/mL, a high insulin level on fasted state is a strong indicator of insulin resistance in the appropriate clinical settings.

Elevated Triglyceride to HDL ratio: Insulin Resistance will enhance the livers production and release of triglycerides in the blood. This is a commonly checked, but over looked marker for insulin resistance.

Low Sex Hormone Binding Globulin ( SHBG):

High Insulin levels will hinders the livers ability to produce Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, one that it is often checked among the Testosterone panel. The lower the SHBG, the higher the likelihood of the presence of insulin resistance.

Visceral fat:

The higher the amount of visceral fat ( the fact situated between internal organs), the more likely the person has insulin resistance. This is checked simply by a waist circumference, a DEXA scan, or speciality scales like the Inbody.

How to treat and battle insulin resistance?

Optimize Nutrition: Diet adjustments, sufficient protein and fats, minimizing carbohydrates and most importantly focusing on whole foods and avoiding ultra processed foods, is essential to improving insulin sensitivity.

Prioritize Resistance training: Building and maintaining muscle mass enhances glucose uptake and improves mitochondrial efficiency, hence, improving insulin sensitivity.

Zone 2 training: Zone 2 training in that low to moderate intensity exercise that can be maintained for a long time without exhaustion. Examples are brisk walks, walking on incline, jogging, bike rides and many more. Zone 2 training has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, even in the absence of weight loss.

Protect sleep: A single night of poor sleep, can result in a degree of insulin resistance the next day, so optimizing sleep is foundational in battling and protecting against insulin resistance.

Hormonal optimization: Bioidential Hormonal Replacement therapy particularly Testosterone in men and women, and estradiol in post menopausal women, dramatically improves insulin resistance.

Leverage modern therapy: Utilizing therapies like metformin or GLP 1 agonists  ( Semaglutide, Tirzepatide), can enhance insulin sensitivity at the root, resulting in significant health impacts. 

Detecting and addressing insulin resistance early on is one of the most powerful strategies to improve quality of life and prevent chronic diseases. Implementing simple, yet effective methods, can significantly reduce its prevalence and promote a healthier population.