Fasting insulin

What is fasting insulin and why does it matter?

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Fasting insulin levels measure the amount of insulin in your blood after you've fasted for at least 8 hours. These levels are crucial for understanding your body's insulin sensitivity and risk for developing insulin resistance, a condition where your cells become less responsive to insulin. Insulin resistance is associated with aging and can lead to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other age-related disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases. Interestingly, epidemiological studies have found that individuals with lower fasting insulin levels and higher insulin sensitivity, such as centenarians, often exhibit increased longevity. This suggests that maintaining lower fasting insulin levels through lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and possibly intermittent fasting could support healthier aging and extend lifespan.