Oct 24, 2026 · 47 min
Normal glucose can hide rising insulin resistance
Normal Blood Sugar But Still Insulin Resistant? Here's Why
Routine glucose and A1C results may look reassuring while elevated insulin signals metabolic dysfunction that is still potentially reversible.
- 1Fasting insulin can reveal metabolic dysfunction years before fasting glucose or A1C becomes abnormal.
- 2Post-meal responses depend on food quality, processing, fiber, body composition, sleep, stress, and individual biology.
- 3Hyman recommends combining insulin testing with lifestyle changes and broader measures of metabolic health.
Don't miss
Hyman identifies insulin as the single most important blood test for detecting metabolic dysfunction before glucose rises.
The brief
Mark Hyman and Emma Camp frame the central problem: blood glucose is often the last metabolic marker to turn abnormal, so routine tests can miss early insulin resistance.
The episode argues that fasting insulin, C-peptide, and post-meal glucose responses reveal more than glucose alone, while continuous monitors can expose individual reactions to food.
Food structure matters: fiber and minimally processed whole foods generally slow glucose absorption, while excess sugar and starch can produce unhealthy spikes.
Visible appearance is not a reliable safeguard; abdominal fat and hidden internal fat can drive insulin resistance even in people who appear lean.
Hyman’s practical prescription combines less sugar and starch with protein, healthy fats, vegetables, fiber, sleep, stress management, and broader metabolic assessment.
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