The Silent Epidemic

Prediabetes affects 1 in 3 American adults—and many don’t know it. At Sheen Vein Aesthetics and Functional Medicine, we see patients every week who feel “mostly fine,” yet lab work reveals early insulin resistance and metabolic stress.

What Is Insulin Resistance?

Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose from your bloodstream into cells for energy. Over time, poor sleep, stress, processed foods, and sedentary habits make cells less responsive to insulin. Your pancreas compensates by producing more.

Eventually, this leads to:

• Elevated fasting glucose (100–125 mg/dL)
• High insulin levels > 10 μIU/mL
• Abdominal fat and fatigue
• Sugar cravings and brain fog

This is prediabetes—a state of chronic insulin resistance.

Why Traditional Medicine Often Misses It

Most doctors look only at glucose, not insulin. By the time A1C is elevated, the process has been brewing for years. That’s why functional testing is so critical—it detects metabolic stress before damage sets in.

Functional Medicine Approach to Reversal

At Sheen Vein (St. Louis), we take a root-cause approach to reverse insulin resistance naturally:

1. Comprehensive Testing

• Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and A1C
• Lipid particle analysis (LDL-P and triglyceride/HDL ratios)
• Cortisol and thyroid markers

2. Personalized Nutrition Plans

• Low-glycemic, anti-inflammatory diet
• Time-restricted eating for mitochondrial reset
• Protein optimization to maintain lean mass

3. Metabolic Support

• Supplements like berberine, alpha-lipoic acid, and magnesium
• Red-light therapy with PEMF to improve mitochondrial efficiency
• Peptides like GLP-1 modulators and MOTS-C as needed

4. Lifestyle Medicine

• Sleep optimization and stress reduction
• Resistance training to improve glucose uptake
• Mind-body support for adrenal balance

Why Early Action Matters

Insulin resistance doesn’t just cause diabetes—it drives aging, inflammation, dementia, and heart disease. The earlier it’s identified, the easier it is to reverse.

The Takeaway

Prediabetes is not a waiting stage—it’s your body’s warning sign. The good news? It’s completely reversible with the right guidance.

👉 Learn more about Functional Medicine Testing, Metabolic Health Programs, and Red-Light Therapy for Metabolic Repair.

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