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Functional Medicine Made Easy By Telehealth

Insulin Resistance

Functional medicine offers a comprehensive and individualized approach to addressing insulin resistance by treating the root causes, rather than managing symptoms. Insulin resistance occurs when cells in the body stop responding effectively to insulin, which can lead to conditions like type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Learn more about how functional medicine helps with insulin resistance:

Freedom Functional Medicine

Identifying Underlying Causes

Functional medicine practitioners work to identify and address the factors contributing to insulin resistance, such as:

  • Poor diet: High sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed food intake.
  • Chronic stress: Increases cortisol, which can impair insulin sensitivity.
  • Inflammation: Systemic inflammation can interfere with insulin signaling.
  • Gut health issues: Dysbiosis or leaky gut can contribute to metabolic dysfunction.
  • Toxic exposure: Environmental toxins can disrupt metabolism.
  • Sleep disturbances: Poor sleep quality and duration are linked to insulin resistance.
  • Sedentary lifestyle: Physical inactivity worsens insulin resistance.

Personalized Nutrition

Functional medicine focuses on creating a personalized dietary plan to improve insulin sensitivity:

  • Low Glycemic Diet: Reduces spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels by emphasizing whole, unprocessed foods with low glycemic loads (e.g., vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean proteins).
  • Anti-inflammatory Diet: Incorporates foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids to reduce inflammation (e.g., fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens).
  • Time-Restricted Eating (Intermittent Fasting): May improve insulin sensitivity and support weight loss by reducing insulin levels for extended periods.
  • Elimination of Trigger Foods: Removing foods that may cause inflammation or gut issues, such as gluten, dairy, or refined sugar.

Restoring Gut Health

A healthy gut is critical for improving insulin sensitivity:

  • Probiotics and Prebiotics: Support a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for optimal metabolism.
  • Leaky Gut Repair: Address intestinal permeability by using supplements like L-glutamine, zinc, or collagen.

Stress Management

Chronic stress increases cortisol levels, which can impair insulin sensitivity. Functional medicine integrates stress-reducing practices, such as:

  • Meditation or Mindfulness: Reduces cortisol levels and enhances insulin sensitivity.
  • Exercise: Promotes stress relief while improving glucose uptake in muscle cells.
  • Adaptogenic Herbs: Supplements like ashwagandha or rhodiola can help balance cortisol.

Movement and Exercise

Functional medicine emphasizes regular physical activity to improve insulin sensitivity:

  • Resistance Training: Builds muscle mass, which increases glucose uptake.
  • Aerobic Exercise: Helps burn fat and improve overall metabolic health.
  • Movement Throughout the Day: Encourages non-exercise activity to reduce sedentary time.

Addressing Sleep Disorders

Sleep is essential for hormonal balance and metabolic health. Functional medicine focuses on the following factors:

  • Sleep Hygiene: Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating an optimal sleep environment.
  • Treating Sleep Apnea: If present, as it is closely linked to insulin resistance.
  • Melatonin Optimization: Balancing natural melatonin levels to improve sleep quality.

Targeted Supplementation

Functional Medicine practitioners will recommend certain supplements to support insulin sensitivity and metabolic health:

  • Magnesium: Essential for insulin signaling and glucose metabolism.
  • Vitamin D: Deficiency is linked to increased risk of insulin resistance.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Reduce inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Berberine: A plant compound shown to enhance insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar.
  • Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA): Supports glucose metabolism and reduces oxidative stress.
  • Chromium and Cinnamon: Can improve glucose metabolism.

Hormonal Balance

Functional medicine practitioners address other hormonal imbalances (e.g., cortisol, thyroid, estrogen, or testosterone) that may contribute to insulin resistance.

Comprehensive Testing

Functional medicine uses advanced testing to gain a deeper understanding of a patient’s metabolic health:

  • Fasting Insulin Levels: Helps assess insulin resistance earlier than standard glucose testing.
  • Inflammatory Markers: Such as CRP (C-reactive protein).
  • Gut Health Testing: Identifies imbalances in the gut microbiome.
  • Nutritional Deficiencies: Guides supplementation and dietary recommendations.

Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

Functional medicine empowers patients to make sustainable, long-term lifestyle changes, addressing not just insulin resistance but overall health and well-being. By addressing the root causes and implementing personalized strategies, functional medicine can help reverse or significantly improve insulin resistance, reducing the risk of related conditions like type 2 diabetes and promoting overall health.

Freedom Functional Medicine explores many factors that affect your insulin resistance such as nutrition, stress management and sleep hygiene. We will provide you with a personalized treatment plan through easy and convenient virtual Telehealth appointments to help you recover, serving all of Virginia.

Call today to schedule your Free 15 minute consultation!

FAQ’s About Insulin Resistance and Functional Medicine

Functional medicine treats insulin resistance by addressing its root causes and focusing on lifestyle changes. This includes:

  • Dietary Adjustments: Reducing refined carbohydrates and sugars while emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods.
  • Exercise: Incorporating regular physical activity to improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Stress Management: Reducing chronic stress through mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
  • Gut Health: Supporting a healthy gut microbiome with probiotics and prebiotics.
  • Targeted Supplementation: Using supplements like magnesium, chromium, or berberine to enhance insulin function.

The primary organ responsible for insulin resistance is the liver, which plays a key role in glucose metabolism. However, muscle and fat tissues also contribute to insulin resistance when they become less responsive to insulin’s effects. Functional medicine aims to identify the key source of your insulin resistance and see how it affects your liver.

In functional medicine, the optimal A1c level is typically considered to be between 4.8% and 5.4%. This range reflects healthy blood sugar control and reduces the risk of complications related to insulin resistance.

The fastest way to reverse insulin resistance involves a holistic approach to your lifestyle, a functional medicine plan may include the following:

  • Low-Carb Diet: Reducing carbohydrate intake to stabilize blood sugar levels.
  • Intermittent Fasting: Allowing the body to use stored glucose and improve insulin sensitivity.
  • Exercise: Engaging in resistance training and aerobic activities.
  • Stress Reduction: Minimizing stress to lower cortisol levels, which can contribute to insulin resistance.

Some of the best supplements for insulin resistance include:

  • Berberine: Helps improve glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
  • Magnesium: Supports healthy blood sugar levels.
  • Chromium: Enhances insulin action.
  • Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Reduces oxidative stress and improves glucose uptake.
  • Vitamin D: Supports overall metabolic health.

Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplementation.

The root cause of insulin resistance is often a combination of factors, and varies from person to person. A functional medicine practitioner will look for the following factors including:

  • Chronic Inflammation: Promotes insulin dysfunction.
  • Poor Diet: High in refined sugars and processed foods.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle: Reduces insulin sensitivity.
  • Obesity: Particularly excess visceral fat.
  • Hormonal Imbalances: Such as elevated cortisol or estrogen dominance.

A functional medicine practitioner will recommend that you remove the foods that worsen insulin resistance including:

  • Sugary Beverages: Such as soda and sweetened juices.
  • Refined Carbohydrates: White bread, pasta, and pastries.
  • Processed Foods: High in trans fats and additives.
  • Fried Foods: Often high in unhealthy fats.
  • Sugary Snacks: Candy, cookies, and other high-sugar treats.

Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods can help improve insulin sensitivity.