In episode 23, I explained why ketogenesis isn’t all about carbs and insulin. Here in episode 25, I explain why insulin resistance isn’t all about carbs and insulin. If that doesn’t sound crazy, let me put it this way: forget carbs; I’ll even say insulin resistance isn’t all about insulin.

We start with a riddle: what do obesity, exercise, cigarette smoking, and diets rich in fruits and vegetables all share in common? Hint: it’s a centrally important physiological response to each of them that mediates their health effects.

In the course of answering this riddle, I explain the underlying physiology that I consider most important to “insulin resistance” and why I believe insulin resistance is best viewed as subset of something far more important. I conclude by outlining practical strategies to prevent and reverse it.

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