For this blog post, we’re going to dive into a really common issue – blood sugar.
This is something I think many people don’t THINK they care that much about, but I’m here to tell you that might be wrong.
In my practice, some of the most common complaints I get are: low energy, afternoon energy crashes, sleep issues, weight challenges and menstrual complaints. And do you know what we often end up working on? Regulating blood sugar.
I just recently recorded a podcast with my friend, colleague and mentor Dr. Leigha Saunders ND. We dived into the blood sugar and sleep connection, among other things. I HIGHLY recommend you check it out here.
I’m not going to dive into the nitty gritty details of blood sugar regulation here, but here is what I want you to understand:
Blood sugar dysregulation is not just something that occurs in diabetics.
A diabetic has lost the ability to keep their blood sugar within the ideal range our body needs to function optimally. However, many people are not diabetic but they are insulin resistant – this means their blood
sugar is still staying in range, but their body is working really hard to do this by pumping out high levels of insulin. Many people don’t realize they are dealing with this because their blood sugar labs are “normal” but they’ve never had their insulin levels tested!
And sometimes, a person isn’t diabetic or even insulin resistant, but their dietary habits lead to big spikes and drops in their blood sugar, which can still cause symptoms.
I really want to drive home the point that when you struggle to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, all aspects of our health are affected. Here are a few cues your blood sugar might be affecting you:
- Afternoon energy crashes
- Bad cases of the “hangries” or general irritability
- Hypoglycemic episodes (feeling shaky, weak)
- Frequent carb cravings
- Unexpected weight gain/inability to lose weight
- Sleep difficulty
- Menstrual issues
As with anything, there are many reasons why the above reasons would happen. If you are dealing with the above or if you think you might have blood sugar issues, talk to a healthcare practitioner. As a naturopathic doctor, I regularly assess for diabetes, insulin resistance and general blood sugar dysregulation through health histories and lab testing. From there, we create a blood to help get your blood sugar back on track and improve insulin sensitivity.
Medical Disclaimer
The information and content provided is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefor.
If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always seek the advice of a doctor or other qualified health care professional. Do not disregard, avoid or delay in seeking medical advice or treatment from your health care professional because of something you have read here.
