Measuring your Metabolic Health
with a Kraft Test
Metabolism is a growing area of expertise in health. It spans the intersection between so many disciplines, because metabolic dysfunction has consequences down the line in many different health problems.
Insulin resistance is now known to be a major contributor to metabolic dysfunction. But how can we know if we are “insulin resistant” or “insulin sensitive”? You see, standard blood tests don’t measure someone’s insulin.
Dr Mark Hyman says: “It is shocking to me in 2022 that not every single person gets this test. Because if I could say: What is one test you could do to determine a person’s risk of obesity, heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes… these are all the things that are the worst problems… We are checking people’s cholesterol, we’re checking their HbA1C… Nobody checks insulin! I would actually check it 30 minutes after a big meal or a glucose tolerance test. Even at fasting it can be normal – at the beginning, but it will rise after you eat something. So taking what we call a “post-prandial” (or after eating) insulin test is the most accurate way to see what’s going on”.
Here he recommends getting a 2-hr post-prandial insulin test done. https://drhyman.com/blog/2014/08/18/one-test-doctor-isnt-save-life/
What is “insulin resistance”?
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body’s cells become less responsive to the hormone insulin, which plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels. As a result, the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate, leading to elevated insulin levels in the blood. This resistance impairs the body’s ability to efficiently use glucose for energy, causing higher blood sugar levels. Over time, it can lead to type 2 diabetes, obesity, and other health issues. Lifestyle factors such as sedentary habits, poor diet, and genetics contribute to insulin resistance, making it a key factor in the development of metabolic disorders.
How can a Kraft Test help?
In the journey of life, starting from childhood, our cellular machinery undergoes a gradual degradation process, setting the stage for unhealthy aging and often chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes. Even high-performing individuals, including adolescents and top athletes, can find themselves vulnerable to this metabolic imbalance.
To gauge where you stand in this metabolic journey and potentially alter its course, one powerful tool stands out: the Kraft Curve, named after Joseph Kraft, its pioneering creator in the 1970s. Understanding your metabolic baseline through this test is crucial for anyone seeking to optimize their health and vitality.
The Kraft Curve is a sensitive and effective way to determine your metabolic age and status, offering insights that serve as a valuable baseline for future comparisons. It acts as a mirror reflecting your current metabolic health, potentially foreseeing the path your health may take in the years to come.
Preventative action is key in mitigating chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. As our cells age, their ability to support a robust metabolism diminishes, emphasizing the importance of early detection and proactive measures. What makes the Kraft Test truly remarkable is its capability to identify metabolic challenges a decade earlier than traditional health assessments, such as tracking weight gain or blood sugar levels.
The linchpin in this early warning system is insulin, the master regulator hormone of metabolism. It has honed its ability over millions of years of evolution to tightly control blood sugar levels. Thanks to this evolutionary mechanism and advanced testing technology, we now possess an invaluable early warning system.
This subtle yet crucial blood marker provides a unique opportunity to take charge of your health and vitality by proactively re-establishing and maintaining your body as a robust energy production machine. It’s about shifting from storing excess energy to efficiently burning it, paving the way to a healthier and more energized life.
Rule out “Hidden Diabetes”
A Kraft will tell you whether you have what Dr Kraft termed “hidden diabetes”. Hidden diabetes is indicated by the presence of insulin resistance and/or high levels of insulin. In the NHS (and most other health systems globally) insulin isn’t routinely measured – even fasting levels. And none of them track post-prandial glucose and insulin together.
So health systems, GPs and our diabetes specialists miss a powerful early warning signal which can warn us, years ahead of the standard tests, and regardless of how overweight we are, that we have a problem that needs attention.
You see, appearances can be deceptive. There’s even a term “TOFI” for people who are Thin on the Outside, Fat on the Inside”. So investing in a Kraft Test is a brilliant way of arming yourself with knowledge that will help you be confident that you’re making the right lifestyle decisions for a healthy future.
Chronic disease is NOT inevitable, regardless of your family history!
Dr Joseph Kraft's Discovery
In the USA Dr Joseph Kraft was working diligently on showing just how prevalent hidden diabetes is, in the general population through his assessment of insulin levels of 15,000 patients who visited the hospital where he worked. He discovered that among his patients a large proportion of the population have undiagnosed diabetes – “occult” or hidden diabetes – including among those whose fasting blood tests (glucose and even insulin) had been normal.
You see, without an insulin test – and preferably a post-prandial insulin test – we can’t be sure how our metabolism is coping with what we’re eating, and what the health consequences are.
Insulin resistance carries a heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, dementia, heart disease and cancer.
Prof Tim Noakes' story
Professor Tim Noakes’s story exemplifies this. Professor Noakes is a world-renowned South African doctor and researcher, and a highly competitive marathon runner in his day. His dietary regime was based around getting his energy from carbohydrates – indeed, he even published a book “the Lore of Running” which set out the carb-loading approach.
But he was shocked when, in his forties, he developed Type 2 Diabetes. “Running hundreds of miles a week, I was a diabetes time bomb – but had no idea,” he says. “Looking at the data now it’s obvious: my resting insulin was 30uIU/ml. Hyperinsulinemia is > 6uIU/ml!”
This test result indicated that his pancreas was producing excess insulin to cope with the high levels of glucose in his blood from the carb-loading.
Who should have a Kraft Test?
“Should Everyone Be Tested?”
“Absolutely Not! Only Those Concerned About Their Future!”
So wrote Dr Joseph Kraft after analysing decades worth of data. It’s certainly useful for everyone to have a Kraft test, but there are particular groups who might have particular concerns and want to set their minds at rest, or find a solution to an existing problem.
Athletes
Active sportsmen and women who have relied on carbs and sugars for fuel might have developed insulin resistance despite the heavy exercise schedule required to compete.
The test will indicate if a change in diet is necessary.
Executives and Business Owners
We know that stress is one factor contributing to heart disease and other conditions caused by insulin resistance. A Kraft test can determine whether your lifestyle has led to to insulin resistance, empowering you to make changes and regain your health.
Family history of disease
If your parents or grandparents have dementia, heart disease, diabetes or cancer you could also be at risk, even if your blood glucose tests are normal. A Kraft test is a valuable early warning, allowing you to determine the best remedy. These conditions are not inevitable!
The Meterbolic Kraft Test Process
Measure
We measure key molecules which tell us about your metabolic health. Our Meterbolic transformation events start with a baseline measure of fasting blood glucose and insulin, which is repeated several times afterwards.
If your result shows you are insulin sensitive – that’s great.
If it shows you’re insulin resistant, or producing high levels of insulin to keep the glucose down, we have a range of solutions to get you back to optimal metabolic health.
Learn
We know that knowledge is power – so our service includes helping you learn all about metabolic health and insulin resistance.
Seeing your very own Kraft Curve is insightful. The curve of these two molecules (glucose and insulin) provide valuable insight about what’s going on inside when you eat.
At the end you’ll be refreshed with food that is metabolically healthy and a few days later you’ll receive your report, with comments from Meterbolic’s experts.
Change
Our coaching programmes include one-to-one coaching as well as live coaching online.
The coaching is supported by video resources and guides to help you learn what the world’s leading metabolic specialists are finding out about metabolic health and longevity.
Change is always difficult, but our coaching approach includes looking into your relationship with food, your home environment, how you shop, and other factors which can help or hinder you on your journey to health.
What our Clients say
Long term health has been a key driver for changing my eating habits, I want to be a fit and healthy role model for my children and I want to be around to watch them grow up.
A great experience – and nice to meet other people interested in their health. The whole experience was really well organized and professional. Thank you for the information.
The information Claire gave me was great. And it was fascinating to see the results come in on the screen, with the live feedback from the advisors.
Wow, this is great and makes sense completely. 7 readings in 2 hours gives a much clearer picture. Combination of the tests makes the diagnosis and management much easier
Donal was so respectful, helping me understand what he was doing and WHY. I sure wish more health professionals were like him!
The Kraft Test at Taylormade was truly enlightening. Andy’s explanation of insulin’s role in my body and seeing my own personalised insulin resistance profile gave a real insight into my own health.