What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin Resistance: The Silent Condition
Your Doctor is Missing
Many people struggle with stubborn weight gain, fatigue, brain fog, and cravings—yet their doctor tells them their bloodwork looks fine. The truth is, insulin resistance develops slowly over years, creeping up long before it turns into full-blown diabetes.
Doctors often don’t diagnose insulin resistance until blood sugar is severely out of balance, but by then, significant metabolic damage has already occurred. If you’ve been told your glucose or A1C levels are “normal” but still feel off, you could be in the early stages of insulin resistance—without even knowing it.
At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I work with clients to detect insulin resistance early, before it becomes a bigger problem. By focusing on nutrition, movement, and lifestyle changes, I help people restore insulin sensitivity and prevent long-term health complications.
What is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin resistance happens when the body’s cells stop responding to insulin, the hormone that helps move sugar from the bloodstream into cells for energy. As a result, the body produces more and more insulin to compensate. Over time, this leads to chronically high insulin levels, weight gain (especially around the belly), and eventually type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The most frustrating part about insulin resistance is that it develops slowly and silently—often for 10 to 20 years before doctors take notice.
Why Your Doctor is Missing It
Doctors typically rely on fasting blood sugar (glucose) and A1C to detect metabolic issues. The problem? These markers don’t change until insulin resistance is already advanced.
🔹 Insulin Creeps Up for Years Before You’re Diagnosed
- You might have normal glucose levels, but insulin is secretly rising behind the scenes.
- If your doctor only tests blood sugar (and not fasting insulin), they’ll miss the early warning signs.
- By the time blood sugar is high enough for concern, your metabolism has already been struggling for years.
🔹 The “Normal” Reference Range Doesn’t Mean You’re Healthy
- Many doctors only flag insulin issues when fasting blood sugar is above 100 or A1C is above 5.7% (pre-diabetic range).
- But problems often begin when fasting insulin is above 5—long before blood sugar changes.
- If your numbers are creeping up each year but still “under the threshold,” you might be told you’re fine—when in reality, insulin resistance is already developing.
🔹 You Feel the Symptoms Before Bloodwork Shows a Problem
- If you struggle with fatigue after meals, sugar cravings, belly fat, or energy crashes, you don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to take action.
- Functional medicine catches these patterns early—helping you reverse insulin resistance before it becomes a bigger issue.
How Does Insulin Resistance Happen?
Insulin resistance is largely driven by modern lifestyle factors that overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar properly.
🔹 High-Carb, High-Sugar Diet Overworks Insulin
Eating processed carbohydrates, refined grains, and sugar causes frequent blood sugar spikes. In response, the pancreas pumps out more insulin to bring sugar levels down. Over time, cells become less responsive, requiring even more insulin to get the job done.
🔹 Snacking and Eating Carbs Too Often
The more often you eat—especially high-carb or high-sugar foods—the more insulin is released throughout the day. This leads to chronically elevated insulin levels, which trains the body to store more fat and burn less energy.
🔹 Chronic Stress Raises Blood Sugar
When you’re stressed, your body releases cortisol, which signals the liver to dump sugar into the bloodstream. This raises insulin levels—even if you’re eating a healthy diet. If stress is constant, insulin resistance worsens over time.
🔹 Poor Sleep and Sedentary Lifestyle
- Lack of sleep increases hunger hormones, raises blood sugar, and makes the body less sensitive to insulin.
- Sitting too much reduces muscle activity, which is crucial for using up blood sugar and keeping insulin levels in check.
The Functional Medicine Approach to
Reversing Insulin Resistance
Instead of waiting for insulin resistance to turn into diabetes, I work with clients to reverse it early through targeted nutrition and lifestyle changes.
🔹 Balance Blood Sugar with Smart Eating Strategies
- Prioritize protein and healthy fats at every meal to slow glucose absorption.
- Reduce refined carbs and sugar, which spike insulin unnecessarily.
- Incorporate fiber-rich vegetables, which improve gut health and slow blood sugar spikes.
🔹 Optimize Insulin Sensitivity with Key Nutrients
- Magnesium – Supports insulin function and reduces cravings.
- Berberine – A natural compound shown to be as effective as metformin for improving blood sugar.
- Omega-3s – Help lower inflammation and improve insulin signaling.
🔹 Use Movement to Lower Insulin Naturally
- Strength training builds muscle, which increases insulin sensitivity.
- Walking after meals helps muscles absorb sugar without extra insulin.
- Short bursts of exercise (HIIT) can significantly improve glucose metabolism.
🔹 Improve Sleep and Manage Stress
- Prioritize 7-9 hours of sleep to keep insulin levels balanced.
- Practice stress management techniques like deep breathing and meditation.
- Avoid eating late at night, which disrupts metabolic function.
Take Charge of Your Metabolism
Before It’s Too Late
Insulin resistance doesn’t happen overnight—it develops slowly, creeping up long before traditional lab tests flag a problem. But you don’t have to wait for a diabetes diagnosis to take action. By making small, strategic changes now, you can restore insulin sensitivity, balance blood sugar, and prevent long-term health issues.
At Intentional Wellness, Inc., I help clients:
✔️ Detect insulin resistance early—before it turns into diabetes.
✔️ Create a sustainable nutrition and movement plan for optimal blood sugar balance.
✔️ Support metabolism, energy, and overall well-being through a functional medicine approach.
🚀 Ready to take control of your metabolic health? Schedule a consultation today!
