High blood sugar, low blood sugar, and blood sugar that swings up and down – these are among the most common causes of chronic health issues, hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune expression.
Insulin Resistance: Happens when blood sugar is consistently too high. As a result, glucose uptake into cells decreases, causing high blood sugar, fatigue, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, increased autoimmune expression, etc. It is a stepping stone to type 2 diabetes.
Inflammation: Persistent high blood sugar triggers chronic, low-grade inflammation that, in turn, worsens insulin resistance in a vicious cycle.
Hormonal Imbalances: Insulin resistance is closely linked to PCOS, which affects estrogen, progesterone, and androgen levels. This can lead to reproductive issues and metabolic complications.
Autoimmunity: Insulin resistance and high blood sugar levels are linked to autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Prevention and Management: Monitoring and managing blood sugar is crucial to manage chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and autoimmunity. Regulating carb intake and regular exercise can help manage blood glucose levels and reduce the risk of associated conditions.
Low blood sugar is inflammatory, too: Chronically undereating and over-fasting can lead to low blood sugar, which deprives the brain of energy and is also inflammatory. These are the people who bolt awake at 3-4 am with a stress response from their blood sugar dropping. The stress hormone release in response to low blood sugar can trigger inflammation. Eating small meals more frequently and avoiding sugary, high-carb foods that spike blood sugar can help stabilize blood sugar.
Look for these blood chem markers:
- HbA1C: Average blood glucose levels over the previous 6-8 weeks =
- Glucose 2 hours after eating =
- Insulin 2 hours after eating =
- Fasting Insulin = 2.6-24.9 μIU/mL (the lower the better)
- Fasting Glucose = 80-100 mg/dL.
- HOMA-IR: An index calculated using fasting insulin and glucose levels. HOMA-IR > 1.9 = early insulin resistance; HOMA-IR > 2.9 is = significant insulin resistance.
To learn more about our services and to schedule a free consultation, please visit redriverhealthandwellness.com. We work with your prescribing physician for optimal results. Do not discontinue medication or hormone replacement therapy without consulting your prescribing physician.
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About Josh Redd
Josh Redd, MS, DABFM, DAAIM, is a chiropractic physician and author of the Amazon bestselling book “The Truth About Low Thyroid.” Redd owns seven functional medicine clinics in the western U.S. and sees patients from across the country and around the world who are suffering from challenging autoimmune, endocrine and neurological disorders.
He studied immunology, virology and epidemiology at Johns Hopkins where he is a MaPHB candidate. He also teaches thousands of health care practitioners about functional medicine and immunology, thyroid health, neurology, lab testing and more.
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