In this episode, Dr. John Barnes welcomes Lindsay Venn, PA-C, RD, MPH—a clinician with rare dual training in medicine and nutrition, and a founding member of the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners. Lindsay shares her journey into integrative, root-cause metabolic care and the mission behind Venn Integrative Medicine, her multi-state telehealth practice.

Together, John and Lindsay unpack the science and real-world implications of insulin resistance—what it is, why it’s so widespread, and how it drives a long list of symptoms and chronic conditions. Lindsay explains how IR develops, why it’s often not your fault, and how conventional dietary guidelines contributed to the modern metabolic crisis.

They also explore why insulin resistance shows up differently in women’s health, influencing everything from PCOS and fertility to the hormonal transitions of perimenopause and menopause. Lindsay breaks down the key labs and biomarkers she evaluates in clinical practice (A1C, fasting insulin, glucose patterns, hormone profiles) and why fasting glucose alone is not enough to assess metabolic health.

The episode wraps with a grounded discussion of GLP-1 medications—their potential role, their limitations and concerns, and how people can boost their own GLP-1 production naturally with low-carb/keto nutrition, specific supplements, and lifestyle strategies.

If you want a clear, compassionate, clinically grounded explanation of insulin resistance—and why women are uniquely affected—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.