Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance (IR) is a topic that’s been of paramount interest in medical research for nearly a century. Insulin is a pancreatic hormone which plays key roles in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

What is Insulin Resistance? When tissues become less responsive to the effects of insulin, the pancreas must produce more and more insulin to maintain glucose homeostasis; this state is the definition of insulin resistance. IR has long been infamous for its central role in the pathogenesis of type II diabetes, but we now know that IR is also involved in the development of a host of other life-threatening conditions.

How can we prevent IR from developing, and can it be reversed? IR has long been infamous for its central role in the pathogenesis of type II diabetes, but we now know that IR is also involved in the development of a host of other life-threatening conditions, ranging from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease to Alzheimer’s disease to cancer to fatty liver disease. These threats underscore the critical importance of IR prevention and mitigation (or even reversal) as part of the effort toward extending lifespan and healthspan.

Below is a compilation of podcasts, clips, and articles focused on insulin resistance, what it means, and strategies for prevention and treatment.

Longevity

Guest Episode

How metabolic and immune system dysfunction drive the aging process, the role of NAD, promising interventions, aging clocks, and more

Ep. #359 with Eric Verdin, M.D.

Exercise

AMA

Building strength and muscle mass: how to optimize training, nutrition, and more for longevity

Ep. #349 (AMA #71)

Longevity

Podcast Episode

Aging well: Peter shares strategies for improving longevity with residents at a senior living center

Ep. #342

Longevity

QPS

Peter’s takeaways on aerobic exercise and VO2 max, insulin resistance, rising healthcare costs, treating children with autism and ADHD, and strength training | Quarterly Podcast Summary #4

Ep. #338

Longevity

AMA

Fasting, well-balanced diets, alcohol, exercise for busy people, wearables, emotional health, assessing cardiovascular health, and more

Ep. #336 (AMA #68)

Understanding science

Free Article

Research Worth Sharing, December 2024 Edition

Longevity

AMA

Special AMA: Peter on exercise, important labs, building good habits, promising longevity research, and more

Ep. #329

Nutrition

Guest Episode

Metabolism, energy balance, and aging: How diet, calorie restriction, and macronutrients influence longevity and metabolic health

Ep. #324 with Eric Ravussin, Ph.D.

Medications & supplements

AMA

New insights on GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro)

Ep. #320 (AMA #64)

Nutrition

Free Article

Back on the merry-go-round of bad science regarding meat consumption

Nutrition

Guest Episode

Rethinking nutrition science: the evolving landscape of obesity treatment, GLP-1 agonists, protein, and the need for higher research standards

Ep. #314 with David Allison, Ph.D.

Nutrition

AMA

Preventing cognitive decline, nutrition myths, lowering blood glucose, apoB, and blood pressure, and more

Ep. #306 (AMA #60)

Nutrition

Free Article

“DNA diets” are still a long way off from offering an easier route to weight loss

Nutrition

Premium Article

Is low-to-moderate alcohol consumption beneficial for longevity?

Nutrition

Guest Episode

Gut health & the microbiome: improving and maintaining the microbiome, probiotics, prebiotics, innovative treatments, and more

Ep. #283 with Colleen Cutcliffe, Ph.D.

Medications & supplements

AMA

Metabolic health & pharmacologic interventions: SGLT-2 inhibitors, metformin, GLP-1 agonists, and the impact of statins

Ep. #279 (AMA #53)

Nutrition

Free Article

Does carbohydrate load impact the balance between fat storage and oxidation?

Risks

Guest Episode

Latest insights on Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, exercise, nutrition, and fasting

Ep. #252 with Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D.

Medications & supplements

Free Article

Is a recent clinical trial enough to support the use of semaglutide in treating adolescent obesity?

Risks

The five main tools for managing blood glucose numbers

Nutrition

Guest Episode

The neuroscience of obesity

Ep. #212 with Stephan Guyenet, Ph.D.

Nutrition

Guest Episode

Is natural sugar from fruit just as ‘bad’ as added sugar?

with Rick Johnson, M.D.

Risks

Metabolic dysfunction case study and a framework for metabolic health

Risks

How metabolic health impacts your 'optimal' diet