Ginger - just read your update around insulin resistance. Been dealing with that and type 2 diabetes for a few years now and here's what I've been doing that works for me. Seems like you're already on a great path but I thought I'd share what has been good for me.
I took some metformin early on and it destroyed my GI system for a few weeks, but then it calmed down and I got a stronger dosage because I could handle it.
My main goal was to figure out how to manage the symptoms and HbA1c with lifestyle. Doc wanted to put me on insulin right away and I though that was kind of an extreme reaction. After lots of experimentation and doing my labs regularly, wearing flash glucose meter, here's what I'm doing.
- eliminated sugars and starches - diet is 90% meat and fat, 10% veg (avocado, onion, tomato, garlic, lemon/lime) - strength training - sleep well
I brought my A1c down from 12.3 to 6.7 in six months. My cholesterol markers were excellent, despite my endo being very skeptical about my approach.
I have to admit that during the pandemic this was very hard to do and I managed a few good months and then eating whatever, and then getting back on track etc. When I wasn't doing so good with the diet, I did take meds just to ensure that I wasn't doing too much damage.
I've come to this after a long time of experimenting and figuring out what works for my system. But I thought I'd share what I've done in case you want to explore further. Obviously consult your primary physician on this as this is not medical advice.
Diet is carnivore-adjacent and I'm fine with that. I'll occasionally eat a slice of pizza, dessert, rice, etc. because life is short and one dumb meal isn't going to reduce all the gains. Also, sometimes you need that slice of pizza and coke zero
