Hi!
When Maria came to our clinic, her primary concerns were stubborn weight gain, persistent fatigue, and skin issues that weren’t responding to conventional treatments. Her recent physical had deemed her “perfectly healthy” with normal fasting glucose, yet her symptoms continued worsening. “My doctor says everything looks fine on paper,” she explained, “but I know something isn’t right in my body.”
DECODED: INSULIN RESISTANCE
WHY IT MATTERS:
* Affects up to 88 million American adults, many without knowing it
* Can exist for years or decades before conventional tests show abnormalities
* Drives weight gain, fatigue, skin issues, and cardiovascular risks
* Creates cellular inflammation throughout the body
* Sets the stage for numerous chronic diseases, not just diabetes
THE SCIENCE SIMPLIFIED: Insulin is your body’s key that unlocks cells to allow glucose (energy) inside. With insulin resistance, these cellular locks become damaged, requiring more and more insulin to open. This excess insulin drives fat storage, creates inflammation, and disrupts other hormonal systems—all while your cells struggle to get the energy they need. It’s like having plenty of fuel but a damaged ignition system that can’t use it properly.
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS:
❌ “If your fasting glucose is normal, your blood sugar metabolism is fine”
❌ “Insulin resistance only affects overweight people”
SUCCESS SPOTLIGHT: Advanced testing revealed significant insulin resistance in Maria despite her normal glucose levels. By focusing on the specific factors driving her insulin resistance—rather than just watching her glucose numbers—she experienced transformation across multiple symptoms simultaneously.
“Within six weeks of addressing my insulin resistance, my energy improved dramatically, my skin began clearing, and I started losing weight without drastically cutting calories. I finally understand why previous approaches weren’t working—they were addressing the wrong problem.” – Maria, 39
ACTION STEPS:
1. Prioritize protein at every meal (aim for at least 25-30g) to stabilize glucose response
2. Add movement after meals when possible—even 5-10 minutes of walking helps
3. Consider time-restricted eating (e.g., 8-hour eating window) to improve insulin sensitivity
4. Focus on sleep quality, as a single night of poor sleep increases insulin resistance by up to 25%
5. Reduce inflammatory triggers that directly impact insulin signaling
THE FUNCTIONAL DIFFERENCE: Conventional medicine typically doesn’t address insulin resistance until it progresses to prediabetes or diabetes—often decades after it begins. Functional medicine recognizes early insulin resistance as a critical intervention point, addressing it before permanent damage occurs.
WHAT’S NEXT: Next week, we’ll explore how blood sugar dysregulation affects brain function—and why balanced glucose metabolism may be the missing piece in resolving brain fog, anxiety, and mood issues.
You are invited to join Perks of Wellness
In person, Quantum Surfing: An Energetic group session. Come get energy work done is a group setting, by donation. Tuesday, November 10th at 6:30pm. You can sign up by responding to this email or calling the office. See our Meetup group or go to Perksofwellness.com for more information.
Ask the Doc, a virtual Q&A for 30 minutes. Each month come and ask your questions are a particular topic, join the free conversation. This month we will be looking at blood sugar balance & insulin resistance (Live Q&A) on, Tuesday, November 17th at 6:30pm. The Meetup will be online, the Google Meet link will be emailed the day of to anyone who RSVPed. RSVP in the Meetup group or responding to this email.
Blood sugar balance & Insulin resistence will be on Tuesday, November 24th at 6:30pm. The Meetup will be online, the Google Meet link will be emailed the day of to anyone who RSVPed. RSVP in the Meetup group or responding to this email.
🌐 **Join Our Community:** I’m also excited to announce the launch of our new virtual Meetup group, Perks of Functional Medicine. This group is dedicated to exploring the world of functional medicine and getting to the root causes of your health issues. Whether you’re a seasoned health enthusiast or just starting your journey to wellness, there is something here for everyone. Join us for informative discussions, workshops, and events that will empower you to take control of your well-being and live your best life.
Meetup Group (https://www.meetup.com/perks-of-functional-medicine/)
P.S. If you found this tip helpful, keep an eye on your inbox. I’ll be sharing more valuable insights to help you take control of your health each week.
Be Good to Yourself,
Dr. Brian Perks DC, MPH
Perks of Wellness
2333 First Avenue #105
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 238-0345
drperks@perksofwellness.com
https://www.facebook.com/PerksofWellness
Perks of Wellness (https://perksofwellness.com/)
https://facebook.com/PerksofWellness
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