New childhood obesity guidelines acknowledge root causes but fall short on nutrition

Metabolic Health

New childhood obesity guidelines acknowledge root causes but fall short on nutrition

The new document from the American Academy of Pediatrics recognizes childhood obesity's complex roots, but fails to mention sugar or processed food

The Levels Team

February 6, 2023

6 min read

6 min read

Do you get enough zinc? Here’s how it benefits metabolic health

Metabolic Health

Do you get enough zinc? Here’s how it benefits metabolic health

Zinc does more than help you fight colds—it also plays a vital role in metabolic function. Here’s what you need to know.

Gretchen Lidicker

February 3, 2023

7 min read

Rich Joseph, MD

7 min read

11 dips and spreads that support metabolic health

Nutrition

11 dips and spreads that support metabolic health

From zesty salsa to creamy tzatziki, these flavorful options pack nutrients that support more stable blood glucose.

Carolyn Todd

February 1, 2023

5 min read

Zoë Atlas, MPH, RDN

5 min read

The Month in Metabolic Health: January 2023

Metabolic Health

The Month in Metabolic Health: January 2023

In this monthly article, we round up our favorite stories, research, podcasts, and videos—from Levels and elsewhere—across metabolic health.

The Levels Team

January 30, 2023

5 min read

5 min read

How to talk to your doctor about blood sugar and why it matters

Metabolic Basics

How to talk to your doctor about blood sugar and why it matters

Many well-meaning physicians may not bring up blood sugar until prediabetes or Type 2 has set in. Here’s how to talk to your doctor before you get there.

Anna Brooks

January 27, 2023

10 min read

Dr. Sara Gottfried

10 min read

How to order at an Italian restaurant for better blood sugar levels

Nutrition

How to order at an Italian restaurant for better blood sugar levels

Yes, it’s possible to get a metabolically-healthy meal at an Italian eatery—even the chains. Instead of bread and pasta, seek out salads, soups, protein, and veggie options.

Sharon Liao

January 25, 2023

5 min read

Stephanie Greunke, RD

5 min read

Top Ultimate Guides
What is a continuous glucose monitor?

Metabolic Basics

What is a continuous glucose monitor?

A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) can help you track your blood sugar in real-time. So how does a CGM work, and who should use it?

The Levels Team

December 3, 2021

5 min read

5 min read

What is Glucose?

Metabolic Basics

What is Glucose?

Glucose is a simple carbohydrate, a monosaccharide, which means it is a single sugar. We get glucose from the food we eat.

Mike Haney

February 18, 2021

15 min read

Casey Means, MD

15 min read

What are processed foods and why are they so bad for metabolic health?

Nutrition

What are processed foods and why are they so bad for metabolic health?

Here’s what “processed” actually means, how these foods impact your metabolic health, and how to avoid the worst of them in the grocery aisles

Kaitlin Sullivan

March 22, 2021

10 min read

10 min read

The ultimate guide to understanding your cholesterol panel and metabolic blood tests

Metabolic Health

The ultimate guide to understanding your cholesterol panel and metabolic blood tests

The "normal" ranges for cholesterol and other blood tests are far from optimal. We asked eight leading metabolic health experts what you should really aim for.

The Levels Team

October 22, 2021

29 min read

29 min read

The 10 best vitamins and supplements to consider for optimal metabolic health

Metabolic Health

The 10 best vitamins and supplements to consider for optimal metabolic health

Discover the vitamins, minerals, and supplements that research shows may help improve metabolic health. Plus: the ones you can probably skip.

Stephanie Eckelkamp

September 16, 2022

10 min read

Dr. Ami Kapadia

10 min read

More Ultimate Guides

Nutrition
11 dips and spreads that support metabolic health

Nutrition

11 dips and spreads that support metabolic health

From zesty salsa to creamy tzatziki, these flavorful options pack nutrients that support more stable blood glucose.

Carolyn Todd

February 1, 2023

5 min read

Zoë Atlas, MPH, RDN

5 min read

How to order at an Italian restaurant for better blood sugar levels

Nutrition

How to order at an Italian restaurant for better blood sugar levels

Yes, it’s possible to get a metabolically-healthy meal at an Italian eatery—even the chains. Instead of bread and pasta, seek out salads, soups, protein, and veggie options.

Sharon Liao

January 25, 2023

5 min read

Stephanie Greunke, RD

5 min read

Foods We Love: Basil Seeds

Nutrition

Foods We Love: Basil Seeds

These tiny, unassuming seeds are sky-high in fiber, loaded with beneficial omega 3s, and deliver a range of micronutrients that support metabolic health.

Stephanie Eckelkamp

January 18, 2023

3 min read

Zoë Atlas, MPH, RDN

3 min read

A practical guide to cutting out sugar

Nutrition

A practical guide to cutting out sugar

Want to reduce or eliminate sugar from your diet? It can be challenging, but this expert-developed plan offers a roadmap to success.

Stephanie Eckelkamp

January 12, 2023

8 min read

Kelly LeVeque

8 min read

Foods we love: bone broth

Nutrition

Foods we love: bone broth

Collagen-rich bone broth is low in calories and carbs, rich in flavor, and a source of key amino acids that can curb inflammation and support metabolic health.

Stephanie Eckelkamp

January 10, 2023

3 min read

Stephanie Greunke, RD

3 min read

18 Low-carb pasta and noodle recipes for better blood sugar

Nutrition

18 Low-carb pasta and noodle recipes for better blood sugar

Satisfy a craving for Pad Thai, gnocchi, mac and cheese, and more without spiking your blood glucose.

Audrey Bruno

December 28, 2022

4 min read

Zoë Atlas, MPH, RDN

4 min read

Show All
Physical Fitness
The metabolic benefits of slow, steady Zone 2 exercise

Physical Fitness

The metabolic benefits of slow, steady Zone 2 exercise

Exercise that’s easy, but not too easy, can improve your fitness and your metabolic health. Here’s how to do it.

Greg Presto

December 23, 2022

8 min read

Dominic D'Agostino, PhD

8 min read

What is metabolic conditioning?

Physical Fitness

What is metabolic conditioning?

Metabolic conditioning, or MetCon, encompasses a wide range of workouts, including popular ones like CrossFit. Here’s what MetCon is and how it works.

Ashley Mateo

August 19, 2022

8 min read

Matthew Laye, PhD

8 min read

The metabolic health effects of HIIT exercise

Physical Fitness

The metabolic health effects of HIIT exercise

HIIT-style exercise—short bursts of intense work followed by rest—has unique benefits, including for your metabolic health.

Ashley Mateo

June 24, 2022

7 min read

Dominic D'Agostino, PhD

7 min read

New research sheds light on metabolites, exercise, and Type 2 diabetes risk

Physical Fitness

New research sheds light on metabolites, exercise, and Type 2 diabetes risk

A recent study shows that increased exercise improves metabolic markers and takes a broad look at the molecules impacted by physical activity

Colleen Gulick, PhD

June 6, 2022

7 min read

Matthew Laye, PhD

7 min read

Show All
Metabolic Basics
How to talk to your doctor about blood sugar and why it matters

Metabolic Basics

How to talk to your doctor about blood sugar and why it matters

Many well-meaning physicians may not bring up blood sugar until prediabetes or Type 2 has set in. Here’s how to talk to your doctor before you get there.

Anna Brooks

January 27, 2023

10 min read

Dr. Sara Gottfried

10 min read

Start here: an introduction to metabolic health

Metabolic Basics

Start here: an introduction to metabolic health

New to the world of metabolic health? Start here. Below we describe the basics of glucose and insulin, why metabolic health is important, and how you can improve yours.

The Levels Team

January 12, 2023

2 min read

2 min read

5 Subtle signs of poor metabolic health

Metabolic Basics

5 Subtle signs of poor metabolic health

Metabolic dysfunction can take many forms and creep up slowly. Here are some symptoms to watch for, and ways to maintain optimal metabolic health

Naomi Barr

December 9, 2022

8 min read

Rich Joseph, MD

8 min read

The 7 factors that significantly impact your blood sugar

Metabolic Basics

The 7 factors that significantly impact your blood sugar

Certain key factors directly impact your blood glucose levels and your metabolic health. Here are the seven to pay attention to.

Barbara Brody

September 23, 2022

8 min read

Rich Joseph, MD

8 min read

What is the dawn effect, and how does it affect blood sugar?

Sleep

What is the dawn effect, and how does it affect blood sugar?

You can experience early morning blood sugar spikes even before breakfast. Here’s what you should know about the dawn effect.

The Levels Team

August 5, 2022

8 min read

Dr. Ami Kapadia

8 min read

What are normal levels of insulin and why don’t we test it more?

Metabolic Basics

What are normal levels of insulin and why don’t we test it more?

Insulin is the key hormone for maintaining stable glucose, and insulin resistance leads to disease and illness, yet it’s rarely tested. Here’s why and what you should look for when tested.

The Levels Team

July 8, 2022

8 min read

Ben Bikman, PhD

8 min read

Show All
Women's Health
What you need to know about PCOS and pregnancy

Women's Health

What you need to know about PCOS and pregnancy

PCOS is a leading cause of infertility, but a diagnosis doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant. Here’s what PCOS means for reproductive health.

Monica Karpinski

January 19, 2023

6 min read

Anjali Dsouza, MD

6 min read

The link between PCOS and insulin resistance

Women's Health

The link between PCOS and insulin resistance

PCOS is a metabolic disorder that is intricately tied to insulin resistance. Here's how the two conditions influence each other.

Monica Karpinski

January 6, 2023

5 min read

Anjali Dsouza, MD

5 min read

What half of women in America will die of—and how to prevent it

Women's Health

What half of women in America will die of—and how to prevent it

Functional medicine leader Dr. Sara Gottfried discusses the unique health challenges many women face and how they can reclaim a sense of aliveness.

The Levels Team

December 12, 2022

23 minutes read

23 minutes read

Why women have higher cardiovascular risk than you think

Women's Health

Why women have higher cardiovascular risk than you think

Levels advisor Sara Gottfried on why cardiometabolic disease is so common—and so overlooked—in women.

Olivia Cassano

October 4, 2022

3 min read

3 min read

New paper reveals cardiometabolic disease risk in women

Women's Health

New paper reveals cardiometabolic disease risk in women

A new article by Dr. Sara Gottfried shows unique disease risk in women and how functional medicine can improve gaps in diagnosis and treatment.

The Levels Team

May 19, 2022

4 min read

4 min read

Show All
Mental Health
Does food affect mental health?

Mental Health

Does food affect mental health?

Dr. Chris Palmer discusses his new book, Brain Energy, which explores how a keto diet might manage symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, schizophrenia, and more

The Levels Team

January 18, 2023

20 min read

20 min read

New research reveals more ways metabolic health impacts cognitive decline

Mental Health

New research reveals more ways metabolic health impacts cognitive decline

Four new studies highlight how diet—as well as blood sugar and obesity—increase risk of cognitive decline, even for younger adults

Pratibha Anand

September 9, 2022

7 min read

David Perlmutter, MD

7 min read

The connection between stroke and metabolic health

Mental Health

The connection between stroke and metabolic health

High blood sugar and metabolic dysfunction is associated with increased stroke risk. Here's what the latest research says about the connection.

Emma Betuel

May 13, 2022

12 min read

David Perlmutter, MD

12 min read

Can sugar cause headaches?

Mental Health

Can sugar cause headaches?

Sweet snacks and carb-heavy meals can spike your blood sugar. Here’s what that means for whether sugar can cause headaches.

The Levels Team

April 24, 2022

7 min read

Dr. Ami Kapadia

7 min read

Show All
Weight Loss
The relationship between sleep and weight loss

Weight Loss

The relationship between sleep and weight loss

Poor or limited sleep can drive metabolic dysfunction and make healthy weight management more difficult through multiple mechanisms.

Jennifer Cook

June 10, 2022

10 min read

Rich Joseph, MD

10 min read

How uric acid drives weight gain, disease and more

Metabolic Health

How uric acid drives weight gain, disease and more

Dr. David Perlmutter, author of the new book Drop Acid, on why humans don’t need to eat sugar and the dangers of uric acid in our modern diet.

The Levels Team

May 23, 2022

22 min read

22 min read

Are chemicals in our products making us sick and obese?

Weight Loss

Are chemicals in our products making us sick and obese?

Dr. Rob Lustig discussed newly published landmark research showing how certain environmental toxins can lead to obesity.

The Levels Team

April 26, 2022

22 min read

22 min read

Isabelle Kenyon, founder of Calibrate, wants to improve metabolic health to drive sustainable weight loss

Metabolic Health

Isabelle Kenyon, founder of Calibrate, wants to improve metabolic health to drive sustainable weight loss

The company focuses on metabolic health through intensive lifestyle intervention and GLP-1 medication. Here’s how it works and what they’ve found.

Jessica Migala

March 1, 2022

6 min read

6 min read

HVMN lead researcher Latt Mansor, PhD, is making the keto diet easier to follow

Nutrition

HVMN lead researcher Latt Mansor, PhD, is making the keto diet easier to follow

Scientist Latt Monsor talks about creating keto products for a wide audience and the future of getting into ketosis.

Jessica Migala

February 7, 2022

4 min read

4 min read

Dr. Richard Johnson on fructose and how we store fat

Weight Loss

Dr. Richard Johnson on fructose and how we store fat

In this episode of A Whole New Level, Dr. Casey Means sat down to talk with Dr. Richard Johnson about his new book "Nature Wants Us to Be Fat"

The Levels Team

January 24, 2022

33 min read

33 min read

Show All
Inside Levels
For Patricia Sylwester, MD, blood sugar regulation is a cornerstone of wellness

Inside Levels

For Patricia Sylwester, MD, blood sugar regulation is a cornerstone of wellness

Using a CGM gave her the tools to teach her patients how to maintain a very low-carb diet successfully.

Jessica Migala

January 15, 2023

3 min read

3 min read

CrossFit owner and coach Stephanie Nickitas wears a CGM to check in on her health

Inside Levels

CrossFit owner and coach Stephanie Nickitas wears a CGM to check in on her health

The former tennis pro watched how her blood sugar reacts to food and workouts and learned the difference between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ stressors.

Jessica Migala

January 13, 2023

2 min read

2 min read

Will Nitze, founder of IQBAR, wants to improve cognitive health with food

Inside Levels

Will Nitze, founder of IQBAR, wants to improve cognitive health with food

The CEO talks about brain-healthy nutrients and how consumer goods can enact change at scale.

Jessica Migala

January 12, 2023

3 min read

3 min read

Hanna Hyvaerinen wears a CGM to help manage blood sugar while living with gastroparesis

Inside Levels

Hanna Hyvaerinen wears a CGM to help manage blood sugar while living with gastroparesis

Despite getting advice suggesting a diet of simple carbs, she realized that making more blood sugar friendly choices helped her feel better all around.

Jessica Migala

January 9, 2023

3 min read

3 min read

Rian Edman made changes he needed to get his energy back up in his 30s

Inside Levels

Rian Edman made changes he needed to get his energy back up in his 30s

By conducting small experiments using the CGM, Rian was able to hone in on a few habits that really made a difference in managing his blood sugar response.

Jessica Migala

November 29, 2022

3 min read

3 min read

What Levels does—and why

Inside Levels

What Levels does—and why

Daily decisions affect how you feel in the short term and how healthy you are in the long term. Levels gives you objective information about how factors like food choice and sleep quality affect your body, guiding you toward decisions that help you achieve your health goals.

The Levels Team

November 18, 2022

4 min read

4 min read

Show All
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