The Insulin Resistance Epidemic: Why 99% of Us Are At Risk - AI Podcast

Story at-a-glance When cells become insulin resistant, they struggle to use glucose for energy, forcing your body to convert excess glucose into fructose through the sorbitol pathway — a "backup plan" that prevents immediate crisis but causes long-term damage Modern diets high in refined sugars and seed oils (like soybean and corn oil), combined with exposure to environmental toxins and plastics, have led to an estimated 99% of Americans having some degree of insulin resistance The HOMA-IR blood test provides an early warning for insulin resistance, with scores above 1.0 indicating potential metabolic issues that should be addressed through lifestyle changes Contrary to popular belief, white rice may be healthier than brown rice for people with insulin resistance, as brown rice's fiber can feed harmful gut bacteria and its higher omega-6 content can promote inflammation Your body requires around 200 to 250 grams of carbohydrates daily, and severely restricting carbs can trigger stress hormones like cortisol that break down muscle tissue to create glucose