Chapter 4 - Insulin Resistance

[playhound71]

Good Day.

I'm very confused about my reading of my HOMA result and also my recent blood test for S-Insulin.

My HOMA result was:

Glucose Fasting 5.3 mmol/L
Insulin Fasting 6.7 mU/L
HOMA Score 1.6 ratio

S-Insulin - 4 mU/L

Blood tests:

Sodium - a little low, still normal but on the lower end - often an indication of the adrenals being a little tired.

Anion Gap - still good but a little higher than previously - it is an indication of acid/alkali balance in the body - lower is better

Iron - circulating Iron & saturation are high but the ferritin is good - (haemochromatosis)

TSH - still in normal range but over 2 is subclinically under active.

Oestradiol - this is a little higher than expected and may also be playing a bit of havoc - could be influenced from soy and phytoestrogen foods you are eating but we should keep this in mind and if your weight doesn't shift based on the Insulin resistance then a salivary hormone test could b e an option to evaluated how much of a run oestradiol is getting compared to progesterone and testosterone

Insulin - interestingly this is the test that I always do to check for insulin resistance and if I saw this level I would tell the person they were actually hypoglycaemic not hyperglycaemic. Should I be careful about lowering it too much as insulin doesn't appear to be my issue according to this result. I get very hangry - especially if I go too long without food, you could also feel quite tired, lazy, unmotivated, irritable, dizzy. My Insulin level on bloods is 4.

HbA1c is also at a good level.

Vitamin D - is good

My waist circumference is double my height. 171cm and
I had a recent skin tag frozen off my neck.
I have discolouration on my neck as well as small red dots on my belly. I also have dark elbows.

I have a family history of Type 2 diabetes.

I am 100% plant based so feel like I have avoided Type 2 diabetes with my lifestyle choices.

But still confused about the HOMA test and Insulin result and how to treat it do I continue with your protocol for Insulin Resistance?

With gratitude

[Lara]

So, your height is 171cm? What is your waist measure?

Much of what you've described sounds like insulin resistance, including HOMA-IR index (anything above 1 is insulin resistance). This would be an example of how (as I describe in the book) a low insulin reading can be misleading or inaccurate.

And in my view, a plant-based diet does not protect against insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. And can, in fact, promote it. Again, for reasons I discuss in the book, such as deficiency of taurine, choline, and other important nutrients for metabolic health.

[playhound71]

Subject: Question Regarding Plant-Based Diets in The Metabolism Reset

Good Day, Lara,

I hope this message finds you well. I have a question regarding your Metabolism Reset book and its approach to a plant-based diet.

For context, my waist measures around 87 cm. I’m curious about how a plant-based diet supports insulin resistance, especially when considering foods that are often classified as estrogen-dominant.

In my family, several members have Type 2 Diabetes and are on medication. They consume a Mediterranean diet that includes meat, yet they manage their condition reasonably well. Our background is Greek, Armenian, and Egyptian.

Personally, I’ve been taking supplements like Magnesium Taurate, Choline, and Zinc for over two years now. Despite this, I still feel stuck in managing my insulin resistance, which is becoming quite frustrating. Recently, I’ve shifted my focus to improving gut health, as I believe starting from the ground up might help me find a better path forward.

Regarding plant-based diets, I recall in one of your books (I can’t remember which), you mentioned that asking someone to lose weight to alleviate insulin resistance can feel like a vicious cycle. I feel similarly when it comes to suggesting that a vegan incorporate animal protein—it’s simply not an option for some of us.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on how I can navigate this situation while staying true to a plant-based lifestyle.

Thank you so much for your guidance.