Blood Sugar, Prediabetes, and Insulin Resistance: What You Need to Know in Utah

If you live in Salt Lake City, Holladay, Park City, Draper, Sandy, or Ogden, you’ve probably noticed that conversations about health are everywhere. From boutique fitness studios to wellness cafés, Utah communities are deeply invested in living well.

Yet one of the most common and overlooked health concerns I see among women and men across Utah is blood sugar imbalance, including insulin resistance and prediabetes.

The challenge? Many people don’t realize it’s happening until symptoms begin to interfere with daily life.

What is blood sugar and why does it matter?

Blood sugar, or glucose, is your body’s primary energy source. After you eat, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and released into the bloodstream. Your pancreas then releases insulin, a hormone that helps move glucose into your cells for energy.

When this system works smoothly, you feel:

• steady energy

• stable mood

• clear thinking

• balanced hunger cues

When it doesn’t, the effects ripple through nearly every system in the body.

What is insulin resistance?

Insulin resistance occurs when your cells stop responding effectively to insulin. Your body compensates by producing more insulin to keep blood sugar in a normal range.

Over time, this can lead to:

• elevated insulin levels

• increased fat storage, especially around the abdomen

• energy crashes

• increased inflammation

Insulin resistance is a key driver of prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, PCOS, fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome.

In growing areas like Lehi, South Jordan, and West Jordan, where busy schedules and convenience foods are common, lifestyle patterns can quietly contribute to this condition.

What is prediabetes?

Prediabetes means blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as type 2 diabetes.

According to the CDC, more than 1 in 3 U.S. adults have prediabetes, and most don’t know it.

Common lab markers include:

• fasting glucose: 100–125 mg/dL

• A1C: 5.7–6.4%

Many people in Utah County, Provo, and American Fork discover prediabetes during routine labs, often without noticeable symptoms.

Signs of blood sugar imbalance

Even before lab values change, the body often sends signals:

• energy crashes in the afternoon

• intense sugar cravings

• irritability when hungry

• brain fog

• difficulty losing weight

• waking between 2–4 a.m.

• belly fat accumulation

These symptoms are common among clients I work with across Salt Lake City, Park City, and Sandy, especially among busy professionals and active women who appear healthy on the surface.

Why blood sugar issues are rising in Utah

Utah is known for its outdoor culture and active lifestyle, but modern stressors still play a role:

• long commutes from suburbs like Draper or Herriman

• high stress from demanding careers

• under-eating during the day followed by evening overeating

• reliance on quick convenience foods

• chronic sleep deprivation

Even highly active individuals in Park City and Cottonwood Heights can develop insulin resistance if recovery, nutrition, and stress management are overlooked.

Who is at risk?

You may be at higher risk if you:

• have a family history of diabetes

• have PCOS

• carry excess weight around the abdomen

• experience chronic stress

• sleep less than 7 hours per night

• frequently diet or restrict calories

• are over 30

This applies to both men and women throughout Ogden, Layton, and Bountiful, not just those who are sedentary.

The connection between insulin resistance and hormones

Blood sugar imbalances don’t exist in isolation. They directly impact hormone health.

Insulin resistance can contribute to:

• PCOS

• irregular cycles

• low progesterone

• fertility challenges

• increased testosterone in women

• low testosterone in men

Many women in Salt Lake City and Provo seeking hormone support discover that stabilizing blood sugar is a foundational step.