Why it should be, and why your future depends on it.
In a world of never-ending inventions, one of the coolest things for health lately has been a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
For diabetics, and those whose lives’ depend on balancing blood sugar levels so much so that they are continually checking levels via finger sticks for blood samples throughout the day - looking at their phone for their blood sugar level is life changing in the best way.
In addition, many health zealots who aren’t diabetic have found that wearing a CGM gives them insight into their well-being. They can see first hand how sleep, food choices, food timing, and habits affect blood sugar spikes and falls.
If you’re healthy and don’t have diabetes, should you care?
Yes.
Erratic, uncontrolled blood sugar levels wreck havoc on our bodies.
High blood sugar levels lead to inflammation, oxidative stress, and glycation.
You’ve likely heard of inflammation. (Click here to read my blog post on an anti-inflammatory diet.)
What’s oxidative stress?
Think of when you were younger and you stopped riding your bike. But you left it outside, uncovered. Over time, rust developed. The bike set in the rain too long and didn’t get cleaned very often.
The same happens inside our bodies when there is an overabundance of free radicals and not enough anti-oxidants. (That bike sitting too long in rain, not enough time getting cleaned.)
What’s glycation?
This one gets me every time. We never hear about it.
Glycation is the process of glucose getting STUCK inside the body. And building up over time. Think about thickening of the arteries. Not good. That’s not a way to run a well-oiled machine AKA body as we age.
What should you do?
You don’t have to wear a CGM to know that blood sugar spikes and falls are happening in your day to day routine.
Here are a few symptoms of imbalanced blood sugar:
Fatigue, irritability, blurred vision, excessive thirst, hormonal imbalances, anxiety, increased cravings.
So is that everyone?
Really though.
How do you prevent blood sugar spikes and falls?
By promoting the aspect that is more important than blood sugar levels in my opinion.
Promote insulin sensitivity.
Insulin is the hormone that is released by the pancreas when our blood sugar levels rise. Insulin is the key that allows glucose to enter the cell, and to not stay in the bloodstream where it can wreak havoc.
When people become insulin resistant, or have poor insulin sensitivity, their bodies are not able to control their glucose levels as well.
It’s like the boy who cried wolf.
If your body is constantly calling for insulin due to consistently high levels of blood sugar, your cells become resistant. They don’t respond to the message of insulin, and as a result, blood sugar doesn’t enter the cells and stays in the bloodstream.
Insulin resistance is associated with a host of other problems as it drives oxidative stress and inflammation (because all that glucose is staying in the bloodstream, rather than entering the cells).
Some major health issues today that are associated with insulin resistance?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver
High Blood Pressure
High Triglycerides
Obesity
(Insulin is a hormone, its role in your hormonal well-being isn’t as shocking as it sounds.)
Want to improve your future? Balance blood sugar levels.
Want to balance blood sugar levels? Improve your insulin sensitivity.
Turns out you can reverse insulin resistance with nutrition, movement, & habits.
Need help doing so? Apply here to join Wellness in Bloom’s Insulin Resistance Protocol.
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Can something as simple as a calf raise help to balance blood sugar? Here's a good reminder that small actions can create a huge impact.
The real reason most people fail to maintain what they accomplish on their health journey.