Is there a prediabetes epidemic among midlife women? In this episode, we tackle an issue that concerns many of us. It feels like more and more women who are journeying through menopause are being told they're in the prediabetes range for insulin resistance—even those who have worked hard to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle habits. Currently, more than a third of Americans have prediabetes, which is a precursor to type 2 diabetes. Most of the people who have it don't know it. And for many women, especially those with a family history, prediabetes seems to crop up suddenly in midlife when hormonal changes peak.

On the show today, I interview Dr. Parveen Verma, an endocrinologist and diabetes specialist, about this rising health issue. We talk about what prediabetes is, what it does to your body, and how to find out if you have it. We also discuss how insulin resistance can be prevented, reversed, or stopped from progressing into type 2 diabetes. And we chat about Ozempic and similar diabetes drugs that are being prescribed for both on- and off-label purposes. Among the questions I ask Dr. Verma:

• What exactly is insulin resistence and what causes it? What risks does it present to us?
• Why are more midlife women being diagnosed with prediabetes—even otherwise healthy and active women?
• How much does genetics factor into insulin resistance?
• Can prediabetes be prevented? If you already have it, how can you reverse it or stop it from evolving into type 2 diabetes?
• What's the relationship between our changing hormones during perimenopause and menopause and insulin resistance? What does weight redistribution (which is common during and after menopause) have to do with insulin resistance?
• What's the link between diabetes and Alzheimer's and other medical conditions?
• What lifestyle tweaks can help you manage your blood sugar? What should you be eating and how should you be exercising? How do sleep and stress come into play? How does cortisol aggravate insulin resistance?
• How do Ozempic and similar drugs help to regulate blood sugar? What are the risk factors of taking these drugs, and are they safe to use off label for weight loss?
• What tests should you ask your doctor for, to determine your level of insulin resistance?*

Don't miss this important discussion about your health. Complete show notes available at  Morebeautifulproject.com.

*Please note that this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to replace individualized medical advice.