Insulin Resistance: The Hidden Driver of Weight Gain in Men and Women

Insights on insulin resistance (IR) and its sneaky role in weight gain for both men and women. Drawing from the work of Dr. Benjamin Bikman, a leading metabolic scientist and author of Why We Get Sick, we’ll explore how IR isn’t just a “fat person” issue, it can affect anyone, leading to stubborn pounds and chronic health woes. Dr. Bikman emphasises that IR disrupts how our bodies handle energy, making weight management a battle.

Insulin resistance occurs when your cells stop responding effectively to insulin, the hormone that shuttles glucose into cells for energy. As Dr. Bikman explains, this leads to higher insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) as your pancreas pumps out more to compensate.

The result?

Your body stores more fat and burns less, trapping you in a cycle of weight gain. Bikman notes that IR is linked to nearly all chronic diseases, including obesity but it’s reversible with the right steps.

Dr. Bikman highlights that IR flips your metabolism into “storage mode.” Insulin tells fat cells to hoard energy, preventing fat breakdown (lipolysis). In both genders, this leads to central fat accumulation-think belly fat- which worsens IR in a vicious loop. For women, IR often ties into PCOS, amplifying hormone imbalances that promote weight gain around the midsection and thighs. Bikman points out that even normal-weight women can develop IR, leading to unexpected pounds despite diet efforts.

In men, IR accelerates muscle loss and fat gain, often around the abdomen, increasing risks for metabolic issues. Bikman explains that chronic stress elevates cortisol, which boosts IR and fat storage, affecting men and women alike but hitting men’s testosterone levels, further slowing metabolism. Antibiotics or poor gut health can exacerbate IR by altering the microbiome, leading to weight gain independent of calories. As Bikman says, “Hunger always wins” if insulin isn’t addressed, diets fail because IR keeps you craving carbs.

Dr. Bikman advocates low-carb, ketogenic diets to lower insulin and promote fat burning. By reducing carbs, you avoid insulin spikes, reversing IR and enabling weight loss. Exercise, especially resistance training, improves insulin sensitivity, while sleep and stress management prevent cortisol-driven IR. Bikman warns against over-relying on calories; focus on insulin for sustainable results.

References (from Dr. Bikman’s work and related sources):

1. Bikman, B. (2020). Why We Get Sick.
2. Bikman Podcast: Overcoming Insulin Resistance (2023).
3. Bikman on Ketogenic Diet for IR (2020).
4. Bikman on Stress and IR (2022).
5. Bikman on Microbiome and Weight Gain (2023).

Best wishes

For more information or to book a consultation, contact Flourish Natural Health now!

#InsulinResistance #MetabolicHealth #WeightGainCauses #BloodSugarBalance #HormonalWellness