Insulin Resistance Is Making You Sick—Here's How to Fix It

It's not just your blood sugar. Discover why insulin resistance is the hidden root cause actually causing your chronic disease, and how to fix your metabolic health today. Did you know that American health statistics show an alarming 88% of adults are currently in poor metabolic health? In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Mark Hyman and metabolic scientist Dr. Ben Bikman reveal why our modern healthcare system’s obsession with measuring blood glucose is missing the much bigger picture. The true culprit behind everything from stubborn belly fat and infertility to dementia and heart disease is actually chronically elevated insulin with processed carbohydrates. If you are tired of merely treating symptoms without moving the needle on your health, it is time to get to the root cause. Dr. Bikman breaks down the exact science of how insulin resistance hijacks your fat cells, disrupts your sex hormones, and accelerates aging. You will learn why you shouldn't fear ancestral fats, the danger of highly processed seed oils, and why cutting out carbohydrates from "bags, boxes, and barcodes" is the ultimate metabolic reset for chronic disease prevention. Reclaiming your well-being doesn't have to mean starvation or restrictive calorie counting. By making simple, science-backed shifts to your daily diet, you can lower your insulin, boost your resting metabolic rate, and protect your long-term physical well-being. Get my top tips for optimal health and vitality: https://bit.ly/MarksPicks This episode is brought to you by Rupa Health, BiOptimizers, and HigherDOSE. Rupa Health is a place for Functional Medicine practitioners to access more than 2,000 specialty lab tests from over 20 labs like DUTCH, Vibrant America, Genova, Great Plains, and more. Check out a free live demo with a Q&A or create an account at https://rupahealth.com/ Right now, you can try Bioptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough for 10% off at https://magbreakthrough.com/hyman and use code hyman10 at checkout. Get your own Infrared Sauna Blanket or Infrared PEMF Mat and save 15% at https://HigherDOSE.com/hyman or use the code FARMACY15 at checkout. #InsulinResistance #MetabolicHealth #DrMarkHyman #ChronicDisease #BenBikman (0:00) Introduction: The carbohydrate problem and metabolic health in America (1:36) Understanding metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance (3:00) Why doctors aren’t testing for insulin resistance (4:22) Challenges of measuring insulin and its importance (9:09) Defining insulin resistance and its broad health impacts (16:23) Insulin’s connection to aging and chronic disease (19:12) Insulin resistance and brain health (23:25) Ketogenic diets and neurologic disorders (24:10) Metabolic rate studies: fat samples and historical context (26:51) Insulin, ketones, and fat metabolism (28:30) Human studies on diet, fat cell metabolic rate, and obesity (32:47) Ketones and fat burning (35:00) Real-world examples of insulin’s metabolic effects (41:14) Causes of insulin resistance and strategies for control (44:33) Fat controversies: ketogenic diet, lipid profiles, and saturated fat (48:52) Cellular impacts of fats and the liver’s role (54:29) Diagnosing insulin resistance: Indicators, tests, and at-home methods (59:18) Recommended tests and strategies to reverse insulin resistance (1:06:35) Dietary guidance for diabetes and insulin resistance (1:08:00) Exercise, supplements, and medications for insulin sensitivity (1:11:20) Nutrition’s central role in managing insulin resistance (1:13:34) Controlling energy versus insulin; fats to focus on and avoid (1:17:44) Seed oils and dietary strategies for insulin resistance (1:25:13) mTOR, protein intake, and longevity (1:32:51) Insulin, mTOR regulation, and aging (1:33:34) Protein’s role in preventing sarcopenia and age-related disease (1:34:09) Summary, practical diet advice, and closing remarks (1:34:27) Bad advice for diabetes management