The AU College of Nursing recently held a Distinguished Lecture Series featuring Dr. Benjamin T. Bikman, an associate professor of cell biology and physiology at Brigham Young University, who discussed the science behind insulin resistance.
Introduced by Dean Gregg Newschwander, Bikman addressed a packed ballroom at the Graduate Hotel in Auburn. The standing-room only audience included the AUCON student body, faculty, and a few invited guests. His visit was sponsored by nursing alumna Suzanne Morris ’87 and her husband, Glenn.
Bikman holds advanced degrees in exercise science and exercise physiology from BYU, and a doctoral degree in bioenergetics from East Carolina University. In 2011, he completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School in Singapore. He has authored two books related to his lectures, published numerous research findings in scientific journals, and presented them at conferences both nationally and internationally.
"Insulin resistance is a widespread chronic condition best understood through the lens of metabolism. Alarmingly, only 12 percent of adults are considered metabolically healthy, which poses a significant public health challenge," Bikman remarked.
Outlining the concept of insulin resistance in the body, Bikman explained the standard pharmaceutical treatments used by clinicians, evaluating the pros and cons of the most commonly prescribed medications. He also highlighted the dietary links to insulin resistance, urging nursing students to delve deeper into this topic and explore its implications throughout their careers.
He differentiated between "insulin resistance syndrome" and "metabolic syndrome," identifying a group of health issues that often occur together, such as heart disease, cancer, fatty liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), erectile dysfunction, dementia, depression, migraines, excess body fat, and diabetes. Bikman emphasized his preference for the term "insulin resistance syndrome" over "metabolic syndrome," as it more clearly identifies the underlying connection among these conditions.
Bikman identifies insulin resistance as the root cause of some of the most chronic and debilitating diseases, which he refers to as the plagues of prosperity. “These conditions have become the major health challenges of modern society, often stemming from a metabolic issue — insulin resistance,” he explained.
He described insulin resistance as a two-fold problem: “First, insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar, becomes ineffective when certain cells in the body no longer respond to its signal. The second part is that the body compensates by producing more insulin, resulting in high blood insulin levels, a condition known as hyperinsulinemia. This cycle is driven by several factors, but the main cause is excessive insulin production. It leads to a vicious cycle, demonstrating a fundamental biological principle: when the body is exposed to too much of something, it becomes resistant to it.”
Bikman explained to the gathering that insulin resistance is the most common problem, and its presence is largely driven by constant carbohydrate consumption. He believes that today’s society has adopted a misguided belief that we need to eat five or six times a day. Ultimately, food is either the problem or the solution. “For most Americans, 70% of their calories come from carbohydrates — the very nutrient we need the least. Despite the fact that there’s nothing in a carbohydrate that we can’t get from other sources, we crave them, and their consumption leads to insulin spikes,” he added.
Suzanne Morris, the Auburn Nursing graduate who, along with her husband, sponsored Dr. Bikman’s visit, expressed appreciation at the turnout of Auburn students.
“I am glad the students and so many of the faculty—took advantage of the opportunity to hear Dr. Bikman,” she said. “It’s important that they as future nurses be exposed to this information. Our society really needs a shift in paradigm to get rid of chronic diseases that affect so many of us.” She included herself in that population as having suffered with chronic ailments and receiving a diagnosis of insulin resistance several years ago. After modifying her diet, Morris said she has seen steady improvements.
Professor Ann Lambert noted that the speaker explained complex processes related to insulin resistance and metabolic health in a way that was easily understandable for students and faculty.
“Distinguished Lecture Series was established in the College of Nursing with the sole purpose of discussing matters of broad interest related to health, health care, and health policy,” said Dean Newschwander. “We will continue to seek out people who can speak from their perspective, including providers, policy makers, consumers and others.”
