In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jason Shumard, D.C., to discuss what people have not been taught about insulin resistance, blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes, including how changing hormones, stress, sleep, nutrition, and muscle can shape the conversation for women in midlife.
In This Episode
00:00 What women have not been taught about blood sugar and insulin resistance
01:31 Dr. Jason’s journey into metabolic health and functional medicine
03:58 Why his mother believed her type 2 diabetes was under control
05:31 How diabetes can progress before someone feels seriously unwell
05:46 Kidney failure, dialysis, stroke, and the loss that changed his mission
08:49 How glucose, insulin, and insulin receptors work inside the body
12:27 Why prediabetes should be taken seriously
12:44 The additional factors Dr. Jason considers when investigating insulin resistance
15:20 Questioning whether conventional diabetes management addresses the complete picture
16:25 Why insulin resistance may develop years before a diabetes diagnosis
17:03 Perimenopause, menopause, stress hormones, and blood sugar regulation
21:08 The limitations of looking at one blood result in isolation
21:31 Blood testing versus DUTCH hormone and cortisol testing
25:22 Why insulin resistance may become more noticeable during midlife
26:11 Comprehensive blood testing and looking beyond disease ranges
29:08 Treating your health like an investment in your future
30:39 The environmental and toxicity testing Dr. Jason uses in his practice
32:38 Nutrition, movement, and the foundations of metabolic health
34:08 Why foundational work is not glamorous but still matters
37:21 Simple nutrition, movement, and strength-training shifts
38:54 Hormone support, HRT, and supplements discussed in the episode
41:42 Common patterns Dr. Jason reports seeing in women’s lab work
43:35 Inflammation markers, including CRP, ApoB, Lp(a), homocysteine, and uric acid
48:44 Why investing in health now may protect your quality of life later
51:17 Triglycerides, HDL, and questions to ask about metabolic health
52:20 Dr. Jason’s free diabetes webinar and where to learn more
Connect with Dr. Jason Shumard
Website: https://drshumard.com
Instagram: @drjasonshumarddc
Connect with Me
Instagram: @bria_period_whisperer
Website: https://www.briatheperiodwhisperer.com
Doing all the “right” things but still struggling with stubborn weight in midlife?
Inside Midlife Mojo, I help women over 35 understand why their bodies may no longer respond to the same diets and workouts that once worked. You’ll learn how sleep, stress, hormones, nutrition, muscle, blood sugar, and accumulated health debt may all influence your weight-loss results.
Your membership also includes:
💛 Sustainable workout and midlife weight-loss strategies
💛 Strength-training plans designed for women over 35
💛 Protein guides, recipes, meal-planning support, and trackers
💛 Education on hormones, metabolism, functional labs, HRT, and peptides
💛 Monthly live coaching and a community of women navigating these changes together
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This episode is for educational purposes and includes the guest’s clinical perspectives and opinions. It does not replace individualized medical care. Do not stop or change diabetes medication without working with a qualified healthcare professional
