Insulin 101 (Part 2): What Causes Insulin Resistance and How to Fix It

<p>In Part 2 of this series on insulin, Kayla breaks down six common causes of insulin resistance and the practical lifestyle changes that can help improve it. <br /></p><p>While diet certainly plays a role, factors like muscle mass, sleep, stress, hormones, and visceral fat can have a major impact on blood sugar and insulin levels.<br /></p><p>You’ll also learn how insulin resistance develops years before blood sugar or A1C levels change, and how tools like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can help uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.<br /></p><p>In this episode, Kayla covers:</p><ul><li>6 major drivers of insulin resistance</li><li>How constant snacking and ultra-processed foods can worsen blood sugar </li><li>The critical role muscle mass plays in insulin sensitivity</li><li>Why visceral fat creates a vicious metabolic cycle</li><li>Common signs and symptoms of insulin resistance</li><li>3 lifestyle strategies to improve insulin sensitivity</li><li>When intermittent fasting may help—and when it may backfire<br /></li></ul><p>If you’re wondering whether insulin resistance may be impacting your health, Kayla shares how to spot the early warning signs and start improving metabolic health today.<b><br /></b></p><p><b>Chapters:</b></p><p>00:00 Introduction<br />01:55 Dietary Triggers for Insulin Resistance<br />07:22 The Impact of Muscle Mass &amp; Movement on Insulin Resistance<br />12:03 Sleep and Stress Management<br />17:23 Hormones, Menopause &amp; Insulin Resistance<br />19:43 The Vicious Cycle of Visceral Fat &amp; IR<br />22:52 Signs &amp; Symptoms of Insulin Resistance<br />27:19 Strategies to Combat Insulin Resistance<br />33:59 Insights on Intermittent Fasting<br />40:11 Wrapping Up: Key Takeaways on Insulin Resistance<br /><br /><b>Keywords:</b><br />blood sugar balance, continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), metabolic health, insulin resistance, intermittent fasting, menopause, symptoms of insulin resistance<br /><br /><b>🔗Links Mentioned In This Episode:</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ssp.riverside.com/e/insulin-101-part-i-why-insulin-resistance-makes-fat-loss-hard" target="_blank">Episode 1 of 2: Insulin 101</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://grocerylist.gr8.com/" target="_blank">Free Dietitian-Approved Food List</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://go.kaylagirgenrd.com/rwr-free-metabolic-assessment-page" target="_blank">Free Blood Sugar &amp; Metabolic Assessment</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://kaylagirgenrd.com/metabolic-flexibility/" target="_blank">Blog Post: Metabolic Flexibility Explained</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thepauselife.com/blogs/the-pause-blog/the-metabolic-syndrome-of-menopause-a-new-framework-for-midlife-health" target="_blank">The Metabolic Syndrome of Menopause by Dr. Mary Claire Haver</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://forms.gle/KX5ryZeHmc8Lyjup8" target="_blank">Apply to Work with Kayla</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tr.ee/ogZH-M81C1" target="_blank">Submit Your AMA Question(s)</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>More from Kayla:</b></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/kaylagirgenrd/" target="_blank">Follow on Instagram</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@kaylagirgenrd" target="_blank">Subscribe on YouTube</a></p><p><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://kaylagirgenrd.com/" target="_blank">Kayla's Website</a></p>