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Are you struggling with weight gain, low energy, or chronic conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or fatty liver? The real issue may not be cholesterol, fat, or aging—it may be insulin resistance.
In his powerful book Why We Get Sick, metabolic scientist Professor Ben Bikman presents a bold message: insulin resistance is the root cause of many modern diseases, and understanding it can change how we approach health and longevity.
Insulin resistance happens when your body’s cells become less responsive to insulin—the hormone that helps move glucose from your bloodstream into your cells. When this happens, your pancreas produces more insulin to compensate. Over time, this leads to chronically high insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia), which silently drive the development of serious illnesses like:
This condition often develops quietly, long before a formal diagnosis, making it a hidden epidemic.
Traditionally, health experts blamed dietary fat and cholesterol for modern illness. But Professor Bikman reveals a more accurate culprit: metabolic dysfunction caused by high insulin levels. He explains that chronic diseases are not isolated issues—they share a common metabolic origin rooted in insulin resistance.
When insulin remains elevated for too long, your body begins storing more fat, inflammation rises, energy use declines, and hormonal signals become imbalanced. Over time, this creates a fertile ground for many health problems.
Modern diets—high in refined carbs, sugary drinks, and processed foods—combined with low physical activity levels, have disrupted the body’s natural insulin regulation. Even individuals who are not overweight can develop insulin resistance due to poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle.
Professor Bikman urges a major shift in how we think about wellness: instead of obsessing over calories, fat, or even weight, we should prioritise improving insulin sensitivity to prevent and reverse chronic illness.
The best part? Insulin resistance is not a life sentence. With the right lifestyle choices, you can restore insulin sensitivity and protect your long-term health. Professor Bikman recommends these science-backed strategies:
Limit white bread, pastries, sugary beverages, and processed snacks.
Choose nutrient-dense meals with vegetables, protein, and natural fats like olive oil, avocados, nuts, and fatty fish.
You don’t need intense workouts—walking, yoga, strength training, or any daily movement can help your cells become more insulin-sensitive.
Allowing periods between meals helps lower insulin levels and encourages fat burning.
Poor sleep and high stress raise cortisol, which worsens insulin resistance. Prioritise rest and relaxation.
Instead of seeing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, or infertility as isolated problems, Professor Bikman invites us to connect the dots. By addressing the root metabolic issue—impaired insulin signaling—we can prevent and even reverse a wide range of illnesses.
This holistic approach empowers individuals to take control of their health at its foundation, not just chase symptoms with medications.
Professor Ben Bikman’s Why We Get Sick is a must-read for anyone looking to better understand the real drivers of chronic disease. His research sheds light on how lifestyle—not genetics—is the primary factor behind modern illness, and how we can reclaim our health through better metabolic management.
If you or someone you love is facing a chronic condition, or simply wants to feel more energised and resilient, addressing insulin resistance symptoms and reversal may be the game-changing solution.
Book: Why We Get Sick: The Hidden Epidemic at the Root of Most Chronic Disease—and How to Fight It
Author: Professor Benjamin Bikman, PhD
