LEVELS – A Whole New Level

If you want to improve your energy and long-term health, start by understanding how your body uses glucose.

In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Benjamin Bikman, scientist and author of Why We Get Sick, joins Mike Haney to unpack the science of glucose metabolism and insulin resistance—and why blood sugar isn’t the whole story.

Dr. Bikman explains how insulin regulates energy balance, why HbA1c is only part of the picture, and how chronic high insulin can silently drive weight gain, fatigue, and metabolic disease. He also shares practical ways to lower insulin naturally through diet, exercise, and daily habits.

They discuss:

• Why insulin, not glucose, is the root of metabolic dysfunction
• What HbA1c and fasting glucose really tell you
• The early signs of insulin resistance most people miss
• How muscle tissue protects against high glucose and insulin
• Why low-carb and intermittent fasting aren’t one-size-fits-all
• Practical nutrition and movement strategies for better metabolic flexibility

Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Ben Bikman, PhD, & Mike Haney discuss:

[3:42] — Why glucose isn’t the full story in metabolic health

[7:58] — Insulin’s central role in energy and fat storage

[13:10] — What HbA1c actually tells you—and what it misses

[19:23] — The first signs of insulin resistance most people overlook

[25:46] — Why muscle is a “glucose sink” that protects your metabolism

[32:15] — How modern diets overload insulin, not just glucose

[39:52] — The difference between being lean and being metabolically healthy

[46:08] — Simple daily habits that lower insulin naturally

[54:41] — Why “normal” lab ranges for insulin are misleading

[1:02:17] — Practical steps to build metabolic flexibility and better energy

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/2PROANAQkwA

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Connect:

Connect with Dr. Bikman on X: @BenBikmanPhD

Dr. Benjamin Bikman: https://benbikman.com/

Alzheimer’s and dementia aren’t just a matter of age or genetics. Increasing evidence shows that metabolic health—particularly insulin resistance—plays a key role in cognitive decline.

In this episode of A Whole New Level, neurologist and bestselling author Dr. David Perlmutter joins Mike Haney to explore the links between brain health and metabolism. They discuss the role of insulin resistance and inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease, the biomarkers that can reveal risk decades before symptoms, and how lifestyle interventions can dramatically change your trajectory.

Topics include:

• Key biomarkers for assessing brain health: fasting insulin, A1C, homocysteine
• Why targeting inflammation may matter more than targeting amyloid plaques
• The promise and limitations of GLP-1 medications for dementia and Parkinson’s
• Practical steps you can take now to protect long-term cognitive function

Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Dr. David Perlmutter & Mike Haney discuss:

4:12 — Why Alzheimer’s is now called “Type 3 diabetes”

9:45 — The role of inflammation in brain health

15:22 — Biomarkers that predict dementia risk decades early

22:31 — Why mainstream Alzheimer’s drugs fall short

29:17 — GLP-1s and brain health

36:44 — Lifestyle changes vs. pharmaceuticals

44:19 — Why homocysteine matters

53:02 — Sleep, circadian rhythm, and brain resilience

1:02:38 — Early warning signs you shouldn’t ignore

1:15:07 — The hopeful message

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:
Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/MV_9nyAN1Vk

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

📲 Connect:

Dr. David Perlmutter on X: @DavidPerlmutter

David Perlmutter, MD: ⁠https://drperlmutter.com/⁠

Longevity is a hot health topic, but what factors move the needle on not only how long you live but how long you experience relatively good health? Some lab and other tests can help assess how healthy you’re aging and provide context for what lifestyle and other changes to make. Dr. Matt Kaeberlein and Mike Haney discuss the tests that help assess healthy aging, how mental health and physical health are intricately connected, which lifestyle factors might expand your health span, and where the research stands on various longevity topics.

Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, & Mike Haney discuss:

6:57 — Lifespan vs. health span vs. sick span

19:38 — Understanding sick span

27:44 — Biomarkers and other tests to assess health span

30:58 — The importance of emotional health for longevity

35:49 — Cellular tests may not have value for the consumer yet

42:24 — On mitochondrial function and telomere length

50:34 — Investing in your health

1:01:18 — Lifestyle changes can help make a big difference

1:09:50 — High vs. low protein

1:16:39 — When considering exercise, building muscle is crucial for longevity

1:27:37 — The prescription drug rapamycin is not FDA-approved for longevity

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/OPH5Nb2a69o

Subscribe here on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

Matt Kaeberlein, PhD: https://www.optispan.life/matt-kaeberlein

Connect with Matt Kaeberlein, PhD, on X: https://x.com/mkaeberlein

Your thyroid test results explained: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck that affects many facets of health. When it doesn’t function optimally, symptoms can ensue. That’s where testing comes in, but the results can be tricky to interpret (and treat if necessary) without a knowledgeable clinician. Dr. Angela Mazza and Mike Haney discuss thyroid function, thyroid hormone and related tests and what they mean, treatment for thyroid conditions, the benefits of an integrative approach to thyroid care, and more.

Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Angela Mazza, DO, & Mike Haney discuss:

2:44 — What is endocrinology?

4:31 — What does the thyroid do?

6:33 — Understanding hyperthyroidism

10:08 — The “triangle” of autoimmune disease

13:56 — Understanding hypothyroidism

16:29 — Thyroid-stimulating hormone

21:43 — Considering reverse T3

27:11 — Thyroid ultrasound

37:32 – The importance of individualized thyroid replacement therapy

40:53 — The thyroid gland and perimenopause

42:49 — Misinformation about the thyroid

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/HRNKRniVALk

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

Angela Mazza, DO: https://www.metaboliccenterforwellness.com/

Metabolic Center for Wellness: https://www.metaboliccenterforwellness.com/

“Thyroid Talk: An Integrative Guide to Optimal Thyroid Health”: https://www.amazon.com/Thyroid-Talk-Integrative-Optimal-Health/

Thyroid Talk community and training: https://www.thrivethyroid.com/

Thyroid Talk podcast: https://www.metaboliccenterforwellness.com/copy-of-protocols-1

Connect with Angela Mazza, DO, on Instagram: https:// https://www.instagram.com/metaboliccenterforwellness/

Greater accessibility to glucose biosensors has led to their use to improve metabolic health, prevent disease, and feel better. Historically, these biosensors for monitoring glucose were only available with a prescription, often reserved for people with diabetes, but now with brands like Stelo, they are available over the counter. Dom D’Agostino, PhD, and Ben Grynol discuss how biosensors can be a tool for anyone to improve overall health, reduce risk for chronic diseases, manage women’s health including menstrual cycles and the menopause transition, help with fueling strategies for workouts and performance, prevent energy crashes, and more.

Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Dom D’Agostino, PhD, & Ben Grynol discuss:

11:49 — Using technology to reduce your risk for health issues

14:13 — Metabolic health is a spectrum, and many people don’t know where they stand

25:25 — The importance of focusing on trends in your metabolic health

30:05 —  Glucose spikes from workouts are normal and a good sign

34:13 — Glucose is one of the key biomarkers to track for longevity

41:34 — Understanding what a glucose biosensor is

56:17 — All calories are not created equal

1:01:25 — Using a glucose biosensor for exercise fueling strategies

1:04:00 — Using a glucose biosensor to monitor women’s health changes

1:23:11 — The rate of glucose absorption matters for metabolic health and how you feel

1:31:06 — Making healthy food the default, rather than ultra-processed foods

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:
Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/mrlnNhxKNgY

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

Dominic D’Agostino, PhD: https://drdominicdagostino.com/

Dominic D’Agostino, PhD, on X: https://x.com/DominicDAgosti2

Our kidneys filter out waste while retaining substances the body needs, such as electrolytes. Kidney health, which can be assessed with blood and urine biomarker tests, is paramount to overall health. Yet lifestyle, such as the Western diet and other factors, can damage the kidneys, leading to either a slow progression of issues or acute injury. Dr. Rick Johnson and Mike Haney discuss the role of the kidneys, what lifestyle factors affect kidney health, ways to support the kidneys, and what your biomarker results tell you about the function of these crucial organs.

Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Rick Johnson, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

4:26 — Your kidneys are great regulators

8:43 — Heat stress affects the kidneys

12:04 — The most common causes of kidney disease include diabetes and high blood pressure

19:46 — The Western diet is associated with age-related kidney decline 

32:25 — The concerns of a high-protein diet in the presence of chronic kidney disease

41:15 — Changes in urinary habits or color could indicate chronic kidney disease

46:23 — Biomarkers can help assess kidney function

53:18 — Serum creatinine as a biomarker of kidney health

1:08:13 — Assessing patterns over time is crucial

1:10:52 — High albumin in the urine is a sign of kidney disease

1:21:26 — Lifestyle changes that support kidney health

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:
Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/8_QSuYwo5wg

Subscribe here on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

Richard Johnson, MD: https://drrichardjohnson.com

Comprehensive Clinical Nephrology: https://drrichardjohnson.com/books/

Connect with Richard Johnson, MD on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrichardjjohnson/

Your gut microbiome affects everything from your mental health and cognitive function to your immune system and metabolic health. Gut health symptoms, such as bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea, could be a sign that you have low species diversity. Dr. Will Bulsiewicz and Mike Haney discuss how the gut and brain communicate, how the gut microbiome affects the gut barrier and therefore your immune system, what to eat to improve the gut microbiome, and what microbiome testing can tell you.

Sign Up to Get Your Free Ultimate Guide to Glucose: https://levels.link/wnl

🎙 What Will Bulsiewicz, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

9:14 — Gut health takes time to improve

14:49 — Your gut microbiome informs your gut and overall health

18:42 — Lifestyle choices help shape an individual’s gut microbiome

24:20 — A compromised gut barrier affects the immune system

30:51 — Nutritional strategies can improve the gut microbiome and reduce disease flares 

32:46 — The gut and the brain communicate

52:27 — A diverse gut microbiome is a sign of good health

56:45 — Your gut microbiome informs your bowel movements

1:01:46 — When to see a doctor for gastrointestinal symptoms

1:05:32 — Increasing fiber helps the gut microbiome

1:11:41 — The beneficial byproducts of gut microbes are postbiotics

1:14:59 — Eat a wide variety of plant foods to get optimal fiber

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🔗 Helpful links:
Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/iAHOycufGn8

Find us on YouTube: https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1

Will Bulsieweicz, MD, https://theplantfedgut.com/about/

Fiber Fueled: https://www.amazon.com/Fiber-Fueled-Plant-Based-Optimizing-Microbiome/dp/059308456X

The Plant Fed Gut: https://theplantfedgut.com/

Connect with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd/?hl=en

The pancreas is a complex organ, but some key biomarkers can assess its health. The pancreas is both an exocrine organ (meaning it produces enzymes) and an exocrine organ (meaning it secretes hormones). It’s a key component of your metabolic health and therefore your overall health. Dr. Robert Lustig and Mike Haney discuss key pancreatic blood work to get checked, the differences between diabetes types and what causes them, what insulin resistance is, how to restore mitochondrial function through diet and lifestyle changes, and more.

Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: ⁠⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠⁠

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Robert Lustig, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

(01:33) — The pancreas is a complex organ

(13:20) — Three emergency mechanisms to prevent low blood sugar

(18:28) — Why insulin is a crucial biomarker

(19:57) — Understanding type 1 diabetes

(27:11) — Understanding type 2 diabetes

(30:03) — What mitochondrial dysfunction does to the pancreas

(31:45) — The links between Alzheimer’s disease and type diabetes

(33:07) — Obesity is about mitochondrial dysfunction

(36:14) — Testing proinsulin and C-peptide

(40:24) — Reversing mitochondrial dysfunction and type 2 diabetes

(44:03) — Testing key pancreatic enzymes

⁠⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: ⁠https://youtu.be/5RnEdiTRYfI?si=GXeqvaXtyDLaXjUH

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

Lab testing for female reproductive hormones offers insight into menstrual cycle irregularities, fertility concerns, and understanding where you are on the perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause trajectory. Dr. Natalie Crawford and Mike Haney discuss how the brain and ovaries communicate during the different phases of the menstrual cycle, when to test female hormones, how oral contraception affects hormone levels, and how to advocate for yourself at the doctor’s office.

Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: ⁠https://levels.link/wnl⁠

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Natalie Crawford, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

(08:03) — Women’s reproductive health concerns sometimes get dismissed

(09:08) — The intersection of fertility and functional medicine

(14:17) — The reason to check anti-Mullerian hormone

(24:19) — The brain communicates with the ovaries

(26:17) — Inflammation can disrupt the menstrual cycle

(30:44) — Data from biomarker testing can be motivating

(32:05) — When to do baseline testing for female hormones

(37:47) — Menstrual cycle history and the big picture are important

(40:12) — Menstrual cycle irregularities should be investigated

(42:55) — The role of hormonal birth control and how it affects hormone levels

(55:14) — The importance of fiber for hormonal support

(59:44) — The importance of eating whole foods and avoiding toxins

⁠Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/Xeq4TxRJ5Yk

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠

Proper nutrition supports healthy aging and longevity—that much is clear. But nutritional advice online can be confusing, so what does the science say about healthy eating? It’s less about your macronutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—and more about your micronutrients, which are vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds. Dr. Joel Fuhrman and Mike Haney discuss micronutrient testing, supplements, plant-based diets, and what to eat to stave of disease, reverse disease processes, and live a longer, healthier life.

Get a Free Guide to Understanding Your Lab Results: https://levels.link/wnl

Levels helps you see how food affects your health, empowering you with the tools needed to achieve health goals and improve healthspan. Levels Members gain access to the Levels app and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), providing real-time feedback on how diet and lifestyle choices impact your metabolic health.

Look for new shows every month on A Whole New Level, where we have in-depth conversations with thought leaders about metabolic health.

🎙 What Joel Fuhrman, MD, & Mike Haney discuss:

(06:59) — Using food as medicine

(15:00) —Gaining a better understanding of how to use nutrition for longevity

(18:45) — Why we must look at nutrition science comprehensively

(23:26) — The benefits of a plant-based diet

(25:56) —  The importance of micronutrients

(32:31) — The role of healthy fats

(37:44) — Micronutrient testing can help guide decisions about diet and any needed supplements

(40:33) — Vitamin D from sunshine takes time to penetrate

(43:18) — Focus on the GBOMBS to up your micronutrient intake and support longevity

(57:41) — Finding a doctor who is certified in lifestyle medicine

(59:06) — Changing your health through diet takes time

⁠⁠

Transcripts & Show Notes⁠⁠

🔗 Helpful links:

Watch the conversation: https://youtu.be/jWk55UxvX34⁠

Find us on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/levelshealth?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠