EP435: Talking Diabetes

Welcome to my podcast. I am Doctor Warrick Bishop, and I want to help you to live as well as possible for as long as possible. I’m a practising cardiologist, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and the creator of The Healthy Heart Network. I have over 20 years as a specialist cardiologist and a private practice of over 10,000 patients. Introduction: Dr. Warrick Bishop, a cardiologist, author, keynote speaker, and CEO of the Healthy Heart Network, hosts this solo episode focused on diabetes. He explores what diabetes is, why it matters, and what individuals can do to prevent or manage it, framing it within the broader context of cardiometabolic disease. Key Takeaways: Diabetes results from either insufficient insulin production (Type 1) or the body's poor response to insulin, known as insulin resistance (Type 2). Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition most common in teenagers, requiring insulin replacement therapy, while Type 2 develops gradually in older, often overweight individuals. Prediabetes represents an early stage before blood sugar reaches clinically diagnostic levels, making it a critical window for intervention. Uncontrolled blood sugar causes widespread organ damage, increasing risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia, kidney disease, and eye conditions. Early detection of insulin resistance using fasting insulin levels and the HOMA equation can help identify risk before blood sugar levels become dangerously elevated. Reducing carbohydrate intake — including seemingly healthy foods like whole grain bread — is essential, as all carbohydrates ultimately break down into sugar. Lifestyle changes including regular exercise, weight loss, improved sleep, and stress management significantly improve insulin resistance. Medications such as GLP-1 agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Wegovy) and SGLT2 inhibitors not only control blood sugar but also improve cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. Abdominal fat is a key warning sign for Type 2 diabetes risk and should prompt medical evaluation and lifestyle changes.