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The Science of Insulin

Digesting the Science of Insulin

Identifying metabolic changes early is critical for preventing long-term complications.

Metabolic changes, such as insulin resistance, are key drivers of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and a range of associated health problems. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 96 million American adults (or 1 in 3 adults) have prediabetes, a condition closely linked with insulin resistance. Lifestyle choices and healthy behaviors, such as diet modification, increased physical activity, and weight management, have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and prevent the onset of diabetes. Tracking your metabolic health plays a central role in maintaining a healthy metabolism by offering insights into how the body handles carbohydrates, both fasting and post-meal. This allows individuals to personalize and prioritize dietary and exercise recommendations that make a difference based on their actual biology and not a universal recommendation that may not apply directly to all body types.

Understanding how your metabolism impacts your life is a critical bridge to developing healthy habits that promote resilience and health over the long term. Otherwise, a poorly functioning metabolism can lead to a multitude of health and quality of life issues, such as:

# of American Adults with Pre-Diabetes

96 Million

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

impact-of-chronic-insulin-resistance-illustration

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar by allowing cells to absorb glucose for energy. In individuals with insulin resistance, the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels and the eventual development of type 2 diabetes. While measuring insulin through traditional fasting tests captures only a snapshot of your body’s metabolic function, dynamic testing provides more comprehensive insights. Measuring insulin in saliva enables real-time monitoring of both fasting and postprandial insulin levels, offering a complete picture of how the body responds to food intake. Studies have demonstrated that healthy behaviors targeting insulin sensitivity, such as low-carbohydrate diets and exercise, can significantly reduce risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By monitoring salivary insulin levels, you can track metabolic changes over time, enabling the early detection of subtle shifts in your metabolism. This allows for more personalized lifestyle interventions to support and maintain healthy metabolic function.

SEMINAL PUBLICATIONS

  1. Muoio DM, Newgard CB. Mechanisms of disease:Molecular and metabolic mechanisms of insulin resistance and beta-cell failure in type 2 diabetes. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2008 Mar;9(3):193-205. doi: 10.1038/nrm2327. PMID: 18200017.
  2. Caporaso NE, Jones RR, Stolzenberg-Solomon RZ, Medgyesi DN, Kahle LL, Graubard BI. Insulin Resistance in Healthy U.S. Adults: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2020 Jan;29(1):157-168. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0206. Epub 2019 Oct 22. PMID: 31641012.
  3. Ford ES, Giles WH, Dietz WH. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among US adults: findings from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. JAMA. 2002 Jan 16;287(3):356-9. doi: 10.1001/jama.287.3.356. PMID: 11790215.
  4. Mayer-Davis EJ, D’Agostino R Jr, Karter AJ, Haffner SM, Rewers MJ, Saad M, Bergman RN. Intensity and amount of physical activity in relation to insulin sensitivity: the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. JAMA. 1998 Mar 4;279(9):669-74. doi: 10.1001/jama.279.9.669. PMID: 9496984.
  5. Albosta M, Bakke J. Intermittent fasting: is there a role in the treatment of diabetes? A review of the literature and guide for primary care physicians. Clin Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021 Feb 3;7(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s40842-020-00116-1. PMID: 33531076; PMCID: PMC7856758.
  6. Harris E. Less Sleep Tied to Increased Risk of Diabetes Despite Healthy Diet. JAMA. 2024 Apr 23;331(16):1355. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.4498. PMID: 38578620.

*Note: This information is provided for research use only. Information is not provided to promote off-label use of medical devices and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, condition, or be used for medical purposes of any kind. If you have questions regarding this information, please connect with your healthcare provider as Salimetrics cannot provide medical advice.

Contact: Salimetrics (USA)
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