Understanding Insulin Resistance: A Functional Medicine Approach to Metabolic Health

Insulin resistance is more common than you might think, and often begins long before it shows up on standard lab work. At Vytal Health, we take a functional medicine approach that looks at the full picture of your metabolic health so we can uncover what’s really going on and create a personalized plan that helps you feel your best.

Insulin vs. Glucose: What’s the Difference?

To understand insulin resistance, it helps to first understand the difference between insulin and glucose—two key players in your metabolism.

Glucose is a type of sugar that comes from the food you eat. It’s your body’s main source of energy.
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas. It acts like a key, unlocking your cells so glucose can enter and be used as fuel.

In a healthy system, your body produces just the right amount of insulin to keep blood sugar stable. But over time—due to stress, genetics, poor sleep, processed foods, or hormone imbalances—your cells can become less responsive to insulin. This is called insulin resistance, and it means your body has to produce more and more insulin to do the same job.

Why Functional Medicine Looks Beyond Blood Sugar

In conventional medicine, insulin resistance often isn’t addressed until blood sugar is significantly elevated. In functional medicine, we aim to catch metabolic dysfunction early, when it’s still very reversible.

Here’s what we look at:

Functional Lab Ranges for Insulin Resistance:

Fasting glucose: Optimal range is 75–85 mg/dL
Fasting insulin: Ideally between 2–6 μIU/mL
Hemoglobin A1c: Functional goal is below 5.4%
Triglycerides: Under 100 mg/dL is optimal
Triglyceride/HDL ratio: Under 2:1 indicates better insulin sensitivity

Even if your numbers are still “normal” by conventional standards, they may be outside the optimal range—and that’s where symptoms often begin.

How Functional Medicine Supports Metabolic Health

We take a full-body approach, addressing the root causes of insulin resistance and offering solutions that are personalized and sustainable.

1. Nutrition that Stabilizes Blood Sugar

Focus on balanced meals with protein, fiber, and healthy fats
Avoid highly processed carbs that spike blood sugar quickly
Experiment with meal timing or gentle intermittent fasting if appropriate

2. Lifestyle Tweaks That Make a Big Impact

Take a 10-minute walk after meals to support glucose uptake
Prioritize 7–8 hours of quality sleep
Reduce stress through breathwork, meditation, or doing things that are fun for you and connect you back to yourself (and others that you love and care about!)
Stay hydrated—dehydration can affect blood sugar regulation

3. Movement That Improves Metabolic Health

You don’t need intense workouts to improve insulin sensitivity:

Try resistance training 2–3 times per week
Include daily movement, like walking or stretching
Even light activity throughout the day helps your body use your blood glucose better

The Power of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM)

One of our favorite tools for improving metabolic health is the continuous glucose monitor (CGM). This small device tracks your blood sugar in real time throughout the day, giving you immediate feedback on how your meals, movement, stress, and sleep are affecting your glucose levels.

CGMs allow us to:

Identify hidden blood sugar spikes and drops
Personalize nutrition and lifestyle choices
Improve insulin sensitivity through real-time feedback
Empower you to make informed decisions about your health

Even for people without diabetes, CGMs can be an invaluable tool in reversing insulin resistance and optimizing long-term metabolic wellness.

Targeted Support: Supplements & Medications

At Vytal Health, we may also recommend:

Supplements like berberine, magnesium, chromium, inositol, or alpha-lipoic acid
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) for inflammation and hormone balance, especially for people with autoimmune disease
Compounded T3 or T4 thyroid medications, when indicated
Compounded GLP-1 receptor agonists (like semaglutide or tirzepatide), which can be helpful for appetite regulation, weight loss, and improving insulin sensitivity
Compounded bioidentical hormones, especially when insulin resistance is connected to PCOS, menopause, or low testosterone

All recommendations are tailored to your labs, symptoms, and metabolic needs.

The Good News? Insulin Resistance is Reversible

We see it every day: patients who were feeling tired, stuck, and frustrated begin to regain energy, lose weight more easily, and feel more like themselves again. You don’t have to wait until you’re “pre-diabetic” to take action. Functional medicine is about early intervention, personalization, and empowering you to thrive.

Want to Know Where You Stand?

If you’re dealing with fatigue, stubborn weight, mood swings, or sugar cravings—and you suspect insulin resistance might be at play—our team can help.

We offer advanced testing, ongoing support, and a compassionate approach to restoring your metabolic health from the inside out.

👉 Schedule a free call with a care coordinator to learn how our functional medicine doctors can support you.