The 5 Health Markers Every Woman Should Know ft. Dr. Mark Hyman

Dr. Mark Hyman joins SheMD for a deep dive into functional medicine, metabolic health and what it means to focus on preventing disease rather than waiting until something goes wrong.

Dr. Hyman explains why he believes insulin resistance sits at the root of many chronic health conditions and why understanding biomarkers like fasting insulin, cardiovascular markers, inflammation, vitamin D and other health data may help patients get a clearer picture of what is happening inside their bodies.

He also discusses the difference between simply falling within a laboratory reference range and looking at health through a more individualized lens.

Dr. Hyman, Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney also cover ultra-processed foods, sugar and starch, protein, fiber, gut health, the microbiome, supplements, creatine and the everyday habits that can have a major impact when practiced consistently.Plus, they tackle GLP-1 medications, peptides, biohacking, hormone therapy, endometriosis and why Dr. Hyman believes people should master the fundamentals of food, movement, sleep and stress before chasing the latest wellness trend.

The biggest takeaway: chronic disease often develops long before symptoms appear. Knowing your numbers and understanding your individual health may give you the chance to act earlier.Dr. Hyman's new book, What to Do Today to Live 100 Healthy Years is available for pre-order now! It releases March 23, 2027.

What You’ll Learn

• What functional medicine is and how it differs from traditional disease-focused care.
• Why insulin resistance is a root cause of heart disease, diabetes, dementia, PCOS, infertility, and more.
• Why “normal” lab ranges are not the same as optimal, with target levels for fasting insulin, ApoB, A1C, and vitamin D.
• How to eat healthy on a food stamp budget of about $6 a day.
• What actually heals the gut, and why fiber and polyphenols matter more than probiotics.
• Dr. Hyman’s view on GLP-1s, peptides, seed oils, and alcohol.
• The supplements with the strongest evidence, including creatine.
• Why endometriosis may be better understood as an immune condition linked to leaky gut.

Key Takeaways

• Functional medicine looks at the body as an interconnected system and focuses on removing root causes of disease rather than treating symptoms in isolation.
• Insulin resistance drives many chronic conditions, and fasting insulin should ideally be under 5, even though standard lab ranges allow much higher.
• Standard reference ranges reflect a largely unhealthy population, so “normal” results for ApoB, A1C, vitamin D, and other markers may still signal risk.
• Eating real food on a tight budget is possible with basic cooking skills, affordable proteins, and simple vegetables.
• GLP-1s and peptides can be useful tools, but they work best with proper medical supervision, lab tracking, nutrition, and strength training.
• Small daily habits like movement, real food, quality sleep, and stress management compound over time, and knowing your numbers helps catch disease decades before diagnosis.

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