In this episode of Think Well, Do Well, Dr. Alan Bradford tackles one of the most under-recognized health crises in America: the metabolic epidemic of diabetes and prediabetes. More than 115 million U.S. adults are already prediabetic, yet the majority have no idea they are on a path toward heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney failure, or worse. Traditional medicine often relies on a single blood-sugar reading and a prescription for metformin while leaving the deeper drivers untouched.

Dr. Bradford argues that checking only fasting glucose or even a basic Hemoglobin A1c is like trying to put out a house fire with a garden hose while continuing to pour gasoline on the flames. Without addressing diet, movement, sleep, and the true state of insulin signaling, the underlying problem continues to worsen.

He walks viewers through four critical laboratory markers that give a far more complete picture of metabolic health—tests that many primary-care physicians still do not routinely order:

• Hemoglobin A1c – the three-month average of blood sugar, useful for diagnosis but insufficient on its own.

• Fasting Insulin – the key indicator of insulin resistance. Elevated levels reveal that cells are no longer responding properly to insulin long before blood sugar fully spirals out of control.

• C-peptide – a byproduct of natural insulin production that helps determine whether the pancreas is still functioning or heading toward burnout.

• GAD-65 antibodies – the test that uncovers Latent Autoimmune Diabetes of the Adult (LADA), a slow-progressing form of type 1 diabetes frequently misdiagnosed as type 2, especially in leaner adults.

Understanding these markers can change the entire treatment approach. Patients who discover significant insulin resistance or early autoimmune destruction can shift from symptom management to root-cause strategies—most importantly, a properly structured low-carbohydrate diet, strategic movement, and recovery practices.

As a practical bonus, Dr. Bradford shares a simple kitchen adjustment that reduces Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)—harmful compounds formed when sugars and proteins react under high heat. Switching from high-temperature searing and grilling to low-and-slow methods (braising, slow-cooking, or crock-pot cooking) measurably lowers the inflammatory load that accelerates metabolic disease.

Whether you have already been labeled prediabetic, struggle with unexplained weight gain, or simply want a clearer picture of your metabolic health, this episode equips you with the specific tests and lifestyle levers that conventional visits often overlook.

Watch the full discussion above, then consider requesting these labs at your next appointment—or reach out to the team at NatureWorks Best if you need help obtaining them. As always, question everything, verify the information, and take an active role in your own health.