Disclaimer: Educational only. Not medical advice. See full disclaimer at bottom of description.
One condition is responsible for more preventable disease than almost anything else in modern medicine. It is present in nine out of ten adults. It hides for up to 15 years. It is never screened for at your annual physical. And it is fully reversible.
By the end of this video, you will understand insulin resistance better than most doctors do.
In this video, I'm going to walk you through all five stages: what insulin resistance actually is, how it develops undetected, what it does to every blood vessel in your body, why the medical system is not designed to catch it, and how to reverse it.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
0:00 The condition affecting 9 in 10 adults that your doctor has never screened for
0:51 What insulin resistance actually is and how it develops
1:54 Why it hides for up to 15 years before a diagnosis
3:10 Why your annual physical is completely missing this
5:41 The vascular endothelium: what insulin resistance does to every blood vessel in your body
8:08 One root, many branches: heart disease, stroke, dementia, fatty liver, joint pain, and cancer
10:02 The diagnostic marker your doctor is ignoring: triglyceride to HDL ratio
11:04 What to stop doing and what to start doing today
12:48 Three specific actions to begin reversing insulin resistance now
14:28 Why reversal can begin in days after years of silent development
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q: What is insulin resistance and how do I know if I have it?A: Insulin resistance develops when your cells stop responding properly to insulin after years of chronic glucose exposure. Most doctors do not screen for it directly. Pull your most recent cholesterol panel and divide your triglycerides by your HDL. A ratio above 2 strongly suggests insulin resistance. Above 3 indicates significant metabolic dysfunction.Q: Why doesn't my doctor test for insulin resistance?A: The standard annual physical checks fasting glucose and A1C, both of which measure glucose at its easiest moment to appear normal. Neither measures insulin directly, neither captures glucose variability, and neither identifies the 15-year window before a diagnosis. The medical system was designed to catch disease at the threshold, not dysfunction at the origin.Q: Can insulin resistance be reversed?A: Yes, and faster than most people expect. Fatty liver research shows measurable improvement on MRI after just three days of dietary change. Prioritize protein at every meal and eat it first, walk 10 to 20 minutes after your largest meal, and protect your sleep with a consistent schedule. These changes remove the signals that have been driving the dysfunction, and your biology moves toward restoration.
What a great video for a healthy life in every respect. Following this advice and being aware of this information would be life-saving. It can be a bit heavy on medical jargon, but if people stay with it until the end, it makes all the sense in the world.Posted by RunningDeer (here)
When you reverse insulin resistance everything improves simultaneously: weight drops, inflammation results, liver markers normalize, brain fog clears, cardiac function improves. Not because we treated seven conditions because we finally addressed the one driving them all.Insulin Resistance: The Hidden Epidemic Your Doctor Isn't Screening For (Complete Guide)
This is not about fixing one medical problem; it is about fixing the entire physical system of how our bodies function. Thanks for posting.
On a side note, medical schools should be ashamed.
Ewan (7th August 2026), Harmony (7th August 2026), kfm27917 (8th August 2026), RunningDeer (6th August 2026), Yoda (6th August 2026)
Last edited by RunningDeer; 6th August 2026 at 22:24.
Summary
The discussion centers on the speaker’s belief that brain health, cognitive decline, dementia, mood disorders, and recovery from brain injury may be strongly influenced by brain energy metabolism, rather than being explained primarily by neurotransmitter abnormalities. The speaker draws heavily on the work of Dr. Georgia Ede, Dr. Christopher Palmer, and Dr. Dominic D’Agostino, arguing that insulin resistance, impaired glucose availability, and mitochondrial dysfunction can leave the brain in an energy-deficient state. The central metaphor is that a “broken” brain may sometimes instead be a “starving” brain, and that ketones may provide an alternative fuel source. The speaker presents ketogenic diets and sustained ketone availability as potentially important tools for improving brain function.
A major portion of the discussion involves an 80-plus-year-old woman who suffered a stroke and returned to the speaker’s support group after 18 months of severe impairment. The speaker describes her as insulin resistant, significantly overweight, and substantially disabled following the stroke. Another case involves a woman with Down syndrome and early-onset Alzheimer’s/dementia, whose family progressively reduced carbohydrate intake and eventually moved to a very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet. The speaker reports dramatic improvements after ketosis began—including increased energy, cessation of seizures, improved continence, reduced paranoia and OCD behaviors, improved memory and focus, greater independence, leaving adult daycare, and an improvement in a functional assessment score. The speaker characterizes this as a reversal of dementia/Alzheimer’s, while acknowledging that there was little established literature or standardized protocol to guide treatment.
The speaker then uses experiments and observations involving fasting, blood glucose, and ketone levels to argue that the level and consistency of ketosis may matter more than simply producing very high ketones. The discussion of D’Agostino’s “N-of-1” experiment is used to suggest that maintaining ketones above roughly 1.2 mmol/L may provide the brain with a more dependable fuel source and may protect against symptoms of hypoglycemia under extreme experimental conditions. The speaker contrasts this with people whose ketones spike dramatically during fasting and then fall back down, interpreting repeated fasting as a metabolic training stimulus that can gradually improve the body’s ability to generate and utilize ketones. For someone severely metabolically impaired or recovering from a major brain injury, however, the speaker argues against prolonged fasting and instead recommends exogenous ketones to establish circulating ketones while the underlying metabolism adapts.
Finally, the discussion turns to practical use of exogenous ketones, fasting, and autophagy. The speaker recommends taking supplemental ketones during the daytime rather than immediately before bed because of possible effects on sleep, and discusses their use during fasting or a “sardine challenge.” The speaker argues that autophagy is stimulated primarily by the combined metabolic shift—lower insulin and glucose together with elevated ketones—rather than simply achieving the highest possible ketone concentration. Throughout the presentation, the speaker repeatedly emphasizes that there is no established textbook protocol for many of the brain-related applications being discussed and encourages people to monitor glucose and ketones themselves. At the same time, several of the recommendations involve medically significant interventions, including prolonged fasting, very-low-carbohydrate diets, and exogenous ketones.
Key Points
- The speaker’s overarching thesis is that brain metabolism may be a major driver of neurological and psychiatric symptoms.
- The discussion challenges the idea that depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and related conditions can be understood primarily through neurotransmitter abnormalities.
- Insulin resistance is presented as potentially impairing the brain’s access to glucose and contributing to metabolic dysfunction.
- Mitochondrial dysfunction is identified as another major mechanism that may interfere with the brain’s ability to produce and use energy.
- Ketones are presented as an alternative fuel for the brain when glucose utilization is impaired.
- The speaker repeatedly uses the phrase/concept that a brain may be “starving” rather than irreversibly broken.
- Dr. Georgia Ede’s work is presented as important support for the speaker’s metabolic view of mental and neurological health.
- Christopher Palmer’s “Brain Energy” framework is cited as another major influence.
- A striking case involves an older woman recovering from a severe stroke, who returned to the support group after 18 months and was able to walk into the meeting despite previously being largely wheelchair-dependent.
- The speaker interprets that woman’s experience as evidence that improving metabolic health and ketone availability may assist a damaged brain.
- A particularly dramatic case involves a woman with Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s/dementia, whose carbohydrate restriction eventually progressed to approximately 20 grams of carbohydrate per day.
- According to the speaker, within days to weeks of entering ketosis, she experienced more energy, cessation of seizures, improved continence, improved behavior, improved memory and focus, and greater independence.
- Over approximately six months, the speaker reports that her functional assessment improved substantially and that some medications were discontinued.
- The speaker considers this case an example of possible reversal of dementia/Alzheimer’s, although he also explicitly acknowledges that there was little established literature describing what protocol should be used.
- The discussion argues that extremely high ketone levels are not necessarily better than moderate, sustained ketosis.
- A recurring proposed target is maintaining ketones around 1.2 mmol/L or higher, although the speaker presents this as an inference from clinical experience and other researchers rather than an established universal medical target.
- Repeated fasting is portrayed as a form of metabolic training, where the body's response to fasting may become more efficient over time.
- Exogenous ketones are presented as potentially useful for people who cannot safely or practically achieve ketosis through fasting or dietary restriction alone.
- The speaker specifically warns that the extreme blood-glucose manipulation described in D’Agostino’s experiment is dangerous and should not be replicated at home.
- The discussion distinguishes raising ketones artificially from creating the broader metabolic state associated with fasting, including reduced insulin and glucose and increased ketones.
- For autophagy, the speaker argues that the metabolic change (“delta”) matters more than simply maximizing ketone levels.
- The speaker repeatedly acknowledges that much of this area lacks standardized clinical protocols and encourages individualized monitoring of blood glucose and ketones.
- The presentation also contains a significant commercial/educational component, including promotion of ketone products, a question-answering service, and a metabolic-keto course.
Harmony (10th August 2026), ThePythonicCow (9th August 2026), Yoda (9th August 2026)
Harmony (10th August 2026), JackMcThorn (9th August 2026), Yoda (10th August 2026)
Cheeky trick.
My quite dormant website: pauljackson.us
Harmony (10th August 2026), RunningDeer (9th August 2026), Yoda (10th August 2026)
Cheeky trick.
Hee-hee.![]()
I’m nothing close to a gym rat. As mentioned, I train more for muscular stamina and endurance. I’ve learned that if I make things too complicated, I’m less likely to stick with it. Some days, I’ll even set up my workout area ahead of time. (yoga mat, dumbbells and such) That way, when it’s time to work out, there’s one less thing I have to do and one less excuse to skip it. I exercise about 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week. I just do what feels right in each work out session. I don’t obsess about it otherwise, I’d skip too many days in a row.
I've recently added "exercise breaks". Some of the dumbbells and smaller equipment are in different rooms. It makes it easy to just "grab and do".
My workout routines consists of:
- Strength work - squats, chair stands, step-ups, dumbbells/weights, etc (see Will Harlow's book below)
- Weight-bearing activity - walking
- Balance and coordination - Tai Chi
- Mobility - yoga stretches
Check out Will Harlow’s book, “Independence for Life” and his youtube channel - @ Will Harlow – Over-Fifties Specialist Physio to see how his teaching and writing styles are great resources. Early on, I began with the ones I liked.
Will Harlow’s “Independence FOR LIFE” book arrived. It includes easy to follow instructions and photos. Check out his videos @ Will Harlow – Over-Fifties Specialist Physio to see how his teaching and writing styles are similar and easy to follow.
Below are the main chapters. There is a “List of Exercises" page, and a total of 190 exercises, each includes what to aim for - example: 10-15 reps each side X 3 sets. Most don’t require equipment beyond a chair, or dumbbells, loop resistance band, broom stick handle or a towel.
Part One: The Foundation of IndependencePart Two: Centered, Mobile and Strong
- Chapters 1: The Four Pillars of Independence
- Chapters 2: Your Personal Assessment
- Chapters 3: Building Your Independence for Life Plan
Part Three: Freedom for Pain
- Chapters 4: Rebuilding Muscle and Strength
- Chapters 5: Improving Balance
- Chapters 6: Building Stronger Bones
- Chapters 7: Maintaining Mobility
- Chapters 8: Relieving Back Pain
- Chapters 9: Easing Neck and Shoulder Pain
- Chapter 10: Improving Hip Mobility
- Chapter 11: Restoring Knee Health
- Chapter 12: Fixing the Feet and Ankles
“The progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function as we age is called sarcopenia. It is a natural part of the aging process that typically begins in our 30s or 40s and can accelerate after age 60, often leading to weakness, poor balance, and loss of independence.
While sarcopenia happens naturally, you can slow or even reverse its progression by incorporating regular resistance training (weightlifting or bodyweight exercises) and ensuring adequate protein intake in your diet.”
Getting older doesn’t have to mean slowing down. Discover how to create a personalized plan to build strength, protect bone health, restore balance and improve mobility at any age.
Physiotherapist and over-50s health specialist Will Harlow, who has helped millions through his YouTube channel, shows you how to build your own transformative, step-by-step plan based on his Four Pillars of Independence – strength, mobility, balance and skeletal health. First, you’ll assess your starting point, then choose exercises to target your weak areas and create a routine that grows with you. This isn’t about fixing one issue at a time – it’s about building a plan to keep your whole body strong, mobile and independent for years to come.
Inside, you’ll find science-backed strategies, easy-to-follow exercises and simple self-assessments to help you track your progress and stay motivated, whatever your starting point.
You’ll learn how to:Independence for Life is more than a collection of exercises – it’s your complete guide to building a clear, personalized roadmap for ageing well. You’re not too old and it’s never too late – you just haven’t had the right plan. Until now.
- Build muscle and stability safely at any age, even if you’ve never trained before.
- Improve balance and coordination to prevent falls and move with confidence.
- Protect and strengthen your bones to reduce the risk of fracture.
- Maintain and restore mobility with targeted stretching and movement routines.
- Reduce pain so you can stay active and get back to doing the things you love.
- Create a structured routine you can follow week by week and adapt as you improve.
Last edited by RunningDeer; 9th August 2026 at 23:47.
Harmony (10th August 2026), rgray222 (10th August 2026), Sue (Ayt) (10th August 2026), ThePythonicCow (10th August 2026), Yoda (10th August 2026)
If anyone wondered why keeping weight off or even eating healthy is such a struggle, this might answer some of those concerns.
Many of today’s unhealthy foods were brought to you by Big Tobacco For decades, tobacco companies hooked people on cigarettes by making their products more addictive. Now, a new (2023) study suggests that tobacco companies may have used a similar strategy to hook people on processed foods.
The bliss point is the precise concentration of ingredients like sugar, salt, and fat that optimizes a food's palatability and maximizes consumer pleasure, a concept pioneered by market researcher and psychophysicist Howard Moskowitz. By engineering the perfect balance of these nutrients, food manufacturers trigger the brain's dopamine reward system, creating intense cravings and overriding natural satiety signals to drive overconsumption of hyper-palatable, ultra-processed foods. This phenomenon is central to the business strategies of major corporations such as Kraft, Coca-Cola, Frito-Lay, and Nestlé, who systematically design products to hit this sensory profile for maximum sales, as detailed in investigative works like Michael Moss’s Salt Sugar Fat.
Vanishing caloric density is a food science concept describing the phenomenon where certain processed snacks, such as Cheetos, popcorn, or ice cream, melt or dissolve rapidly in the mouth. This rapid dissolution tricks the brain into perceiving that fewer calories are being consumed than actually are, thereby delaying satiety signals and encouraging overconsumption.
Howard R. Moskowitz is an American market researcher and psychophysicist. He is known for the detailed study he made of the types of spaghetti sauce and horizontal segmentation.
Steven Witherly wrote Why Humans Like Junk Food; he blew the whistle but was told to be quiet because nobody cared.
Ewan (10th August 2026), grapevine (10th August 2026), Harmony (10th August 2026), Johnnycomelately (10th August 2026), kudzy (10th August 2026), onevoice (10th August 2026), RunningDeer (10th August 2026), ThePythonicCow (10th August 2026), Yoda (10th August 2026)