If you’ve ever been told “your labs look fine” while your body loudly disagrees, this episode is for you. Lori sits down with Dr. Ali Chappell—nutrition scientist, reproductive endocrinology researcher, and registered dietitian—to reframe PCOS and beyond through the lens of the hormone most of us never test: insulin.

Together they unpack why A1C can look “normal” while fasting or post-meal insulin runs high; how that blocks ovulation, fuels acne and fatigue, and complicates pregnancy; and why menopause symptoms often escalate when insulin creeps up.

Ali breaks down low-insulin living without obsession or calorie counting, clears up the dairy/protein powder debate (yes, we’re looking at you, whey), and shares a simple script for getting your clinician to order the right labs.

You’ll walk away with practical food swaps, a clearer map of the metabolism–hormone connection, and—most importantly—more hope.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:59 PCOS and Its Impact on Women's Health

06:07 Ali Chappell's Journey with PCOS

08:48 Understanding Insulin Resistance

11:56 The Role of Hormones in PCOS

14:58 Pregnancy and Insulin Levels

17:52 The Importance of Testing Insulin

20:48 Metabolic Issues and Their Consequences

23:49 The Connection Between Insulin and Ovulation

26:42 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

32:01 Understanding Insulin's Role

33:50 The Genetic Influence on Insulin Resistance

36:33 Diet and Insulin Resistance

40:53 The Impact of Insulin on Health

44:37 Natural Remedies for Insulin Resistance

47:54 Rethinking Nutrition: An Insulin-First Approach

55:56 Men's Health and Insulin Resistance

01:02:14 The Need for Insulin Testing

01:05:32 Understanding Insulin and Food Choices

01:08:38 The Impact of Insulin on Weight Management

01:11:29 Navigating Dairy and Its Effects on Insulin

01:20:25 Mental Health and PCOS: Finding Support

01:24:26 Communicating with Healthcare Providers

01:27:20 Introducing the PCOS App and Its Features