Diabetes is a global epidemic that affects over 400 million people. According to the CDC, in 2040 more than half a billion will have some form of diabetes.
But did you know that insulin resistance, the pre-diabetic condition, is even more pervasive? The good news is that it can be prevented, and even reversed, by following these simple steps: eat healthy, exercise regularly, get restful sleep, and manage stress.
Insulin resistance is like the early warning “check engine” light of your body. Catch it early enough and you can easily prevent a host of diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, mental decline and cancer.
What exactly is insulin resistance? Watch below and get a fast crash course. Hint – it has almost everything to do with food:
Insulin Resistance Explained In Less Than 3 Minutes
More In-Depth Explanation
“Insulin Resistance A Symptom Of A Much Deeper Problem?”
"The question that was being asked of me was a different one, which was, did she also need an amputation?" -Dr. Peter Attia
Find Out Where You Are On The Non-Diabetic And Diabetic Spectrum
You can’t tell that you have insulin resistance by how you feel. You’ll need to get a blood test that checks your blood sugar levels.
Blood tests you might get with your primary care provider or local blood test lab:
- Fasting glucose test. This test measures your blood sugar after you haven’t eaten for at least 8 hours.
- Oral glucose tolerance test. First, you’ll take the fasting glucose test. Then you’ll drink a sugary solution. Two hours after that, you’ll take another blood test to see how your body responds to the sugar.
- Hemoglobin A1c test. This blood test shows your average blood sugar level for the last 2 to 3 months. Doctors use it to diagnose prediabetes or diabetes. There are A1c test kits available at most local pharmacies and online.
You can also get a glucose monitor and test yourself at home to see your fasting glucose level and two hours after a meal, which is known as postprandial blood sugar.
From this study, based on the data of healthy individuals wearing a continuous glucose monitor, it appears that it is safe and healthy to strive for:
- Fasting glucose between 72-85 mg/dL
- Post-meal (2-3 hours) glucose level 110 mg/dL or lower
- An average glucose of 100 mg/dL or lower