Optimizing Blood Sugar: A Deep Dive

In today's episode, we interview Dr. Casey Means, co-founder of the Metabolic Health company, Unlock Levels. Her mission is to maximize human potential and reverse the epidemic of preventable chronic disease by empowering individuals with tech-enabled tools that can inform smart, personalized, and sustainable dietary and lifestyle choices. We discuss how to holistically look at glucose levels and insulin to optimize health potential, maximize fat loss, and strengthen immune health. 1:21 Welcome to the show!2:15 Dr. Casey Means’ Bio3:12 Welcome Dr. Casey!4:23 CGMs & metabolic health5:17 The varying spectrum of Metabolic Dysfunction6:59 How Glucose COULD vs SHOULD respond to food8:54 Why so many people don’t know they have Pre-Diabetes & how to test10:24 Why Pre-Diabetes is under-diagnosed11:30 The ranges we should be aiming for11:54 STUDY: Optimal glucose ranges14:38 “Normal” vs “Optimal” lab ranges14:58 Researcher Todd Rose: “End of Average” book16:18 Behaviors leading to chronic disease16:54 Benefits of wearables for personalized healthcare19:17 There is no one-size-fits-all approach19:43 STUDY: Personalized nutrition & glycemic variability21:20 Oatmeal marketed as “heart healthy”22:38 Glycemic Index & Load myth24:54 Assessing the Gut Microbiome26:09 DayTwo stool analysis27:59 Probiotic to lower HbA1c30:14 Dietary changes for the gut microbiome + probiotics32:37 The ideal 24-glucose & insulin picture 35:27 Glucose & Inflammation35:49 Glycation problems36:44 Oxidative-stress & Free Radicals387:54 “Hills vs Mountains”38:22 What’s considered ‘normal’ (see Levels blog)40:55 “Reactive Hypoglycemia”42:10 Why we can’t burn fat!43:21 The MYTH about eating breakfast44:20 STUDY: Time-Restricted Feeding46:15 Lauren’s experience with snacking47:33 Using Biofeedback & tech48:32 Tracking glucose levels during sleep 49:57 CGM recommendations overnight51:19 STUDY: Fasting glucose & disease risk52:31 Pressure-induced sensor error55:20 The impact of exercise59:15 STUDY: Benefits of walking on glucose 1:01:42 The impact of hormetic stressors1:02:30 Working out in a fasted state1:06:15 Carb cycling & Fat adaptation1:08:10 The future of CGMs1:09:55 Risk factors for common diseases1:13:58 Risks for COVID mortality1:15:44 Her one piece of advice1:17:41 Where you can find Dr. Casey1:19:02 Thanks for tuning in!RESOURCES:Levels Health Website Levels Health BlogUnlock Levels:IG: https://www.instagram.com/unlocklevels/Twitter: https://twitter.com/unlocklevelsDr Caseys Kitchen: IG: https://www.instagram.com/drcaseyskitchen/Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrCaseysKitchenPendulum ProbioticsKetoMojoFasting Apps: Zero & Life:LIFE AppZero AppSTUDIES & ARTICLES:HVMN Carb Cycling article for AthletesPersonalized Nutrition by Prediction of Glycemic ResponsesContextualising Maximal Fat Oxidation During ExerciseBreaking Prolonged Sitting Reduces Postprandial Glycemia in Healthy, Normal-weight AdultsCreating an Optimal Diet by Tracking Glucose with a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM)Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/biohacker-babes-podcast/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands