#284 - Glucose metabolism explained: HbA1c, insulin resistance, and strategies for better energy | Dr. Ben Bikman & Mike Haney

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/