Hello, my friend!

Happy April!

Let’s talk about something that goes undetected for years… and quietly sabotages energy, weight, hormones, and long-term health:

Insulin resistance

What is insulin resistance (and how is it different from diabetes)?

Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar (glucose) from your bloodstream into your cells, where it’s used for energy.

Insulin resistance happens when your cells stop responding properly to insulin. Your body compensates by making more insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal.

Summary:

Insulin resistance = high insulin (blood sugar often normal)
Diabetes = high blood sugar (when the system can no longer compensate)

Insulin resistance often goes undetected for years (even decades) before diabetes is diagnosed.

Why this matters: Hint: It's not just about blood sugar

Insulin resistance is really a metabolic health issue.

It affects how your body:

Uses energy
Stores fat
Regulates hormones
Manages inflammation

Insulin resistance is at the core of many health problems––not just diabetes.

What happens if insulin resistance goes undetected?

When blood sugar is chronically high, insulin resistance develops, which prevents sugar from getting into the cells. This leads to a state of chronic inflammation.

This can lead to:

Prediabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Fatty liver disease
Cardiovascular disease (arterial plaques, stroke, heart attack)
Cancer
Dementia

But long before that, it can show up in more subtle ways:

Energy crashes (especially after meals)
Sugar or carb cravings
Difficulty losing weight (or easy weight gain)
Increased belly fat
Brain fog
Fatigue
Skin tags or darkened skin (often around the neck/armpits)
Irregular menstrual cycles or PCOS
Worsening cholesterol markers

FREE EBOOK:

The Blood Sugar Balance Starter Guide

If you suspect insulin resistance, the first step is understanding how to stabilize your blood sugar day-to-day.

Inside, you’ll learn:

How to build balanced meals that keep you full
Simple ways to reduce cravings
Easy habits that improve energy and metabolism

GET THE GUIDE

How do you find out if you're insulin resistant?

Most standard testing looks at blood sugar, not insulin.

Some helpful tests include:

1. Fasting insulin

One of the simplest and most useful markers
Elevated levels suggest insulin resistance—even if glucose is normal
Note: I have yet to hear of an MD who is able to order this (in BC). Typically requires a referral to endocrinologist or can be done as a private pay test.

2. Hemoglobin A1C

Reflects average blood sugar over ~3 months
Helpful, but often rises later in the process
Helps diagnose diabetes but if normal you'll be told "you're fine"

3. Fasting glucose

Basic and commonly done
Can be normal for years despite insulin resistance

4. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

Measures how your body responds to sugar over time
More sensitive, but less commonly used

The key takeaway:
You can have normal fasting glucose and still be insulin resistant.

My approach to diagnosing insulin resistance:

In my practice, I diagnose this problem by testing:

fasting insulin + fasting glucose.

I then use your levels to calculate what's called a HOMA-IR number.

These tests can help me determine if insulin resistance is an issue.

Adding hemoglobin A1C helps determine if someone may be diabetic.

The cost for these 3 tests through my office is $70

Continuous Glucose Monitoring

A very helpful tool I’ve been use with patients is a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).

This is a small sensor worn on the body that tracks your blood sugar 24/7 for 10–14 days. These are available without a prescription at any pharmacy.

Why I recommend these:

You see how your body responds to specific foods
You can identify blood sugar spikes and––more importantly––crashes
You learn what keeps your energy stable
It turns abstract lab values into real-time, actionable data

For many people, this is the first time things really “click.”

How is insulin resistance treated?

The good news is insulin resistance is very treatable.

1. Food strategies

Prioritize protein, fibre, and healthy fats
Reduce refined carbs and sugar
Intermittent fasting (only eating during 6-8 hour window each day)

2. Physical activity

Strength training is a top strategy to improve insulin sensitivity
Taking a walk after meals can significantly lower post-meal blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity over time

3. Sleep & stress

Poor sleep and chronic stress both worsen insulin resistance
Optimizing sleep and working on stress management help improve insulin sensitivity

4. Targeted supplements (when appropriate)

Depending on the person, natural supplements might include:

Berberine
Inositol
Turmeric
Cinnamon

5. Pharmaceuticals

Metformin
GLP-1 medications may be appropriate for some individuals

BLOG POST:

10 Signs You Could Be Insulin Resistant

Read it Now

Final thoughts:

Insulin resistance is incredibly common—and often missed.

If you’re dealing with:

Low energy
Hormone imbalances
Weight that won’t budge
Blood sugar concerns

…it may be worth looking deeper.

When you improve insulin sensitivity, you’re not just improving blood sugar—you’re improving your entire metabolic health and having a big impact on lowering inflammation.

If you’d like help assessing or addressing insulin resistance, and you're in BC, please book an appointment. I'd be delighted to support you with this.

That's all for this month!

Comments? Questions? Just reply to this email! I'd love to hear what you think!