Blood Sugar 101

By: Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP) 

Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is the amount of simple sugar moving through your body at any given time. The main form of energy that your body uses is glucose. Everything that you eat will break down into glucose for your body  to utilize. Other forms of glucose are fructose, lactose, sucrose, and starch. Fats and proteins can also be broken down to glucose, via gluconeogenesis. This is the body’s way of breaking down whatever you eat into an energy source it can use.

Our bodies need a continuous supply of glucose in our blood to carry out basic functions. Too little glucose (hypoglycemia) or too much glucose (hyperglycemia) can cause issues in the body. Once inside your body, your blood delivers glucose to all your tissues and stores the excess as glycogen/fat in the liver and muscle tissue. A specific range of glucose needs to always be in your blood for your body to function normally.

The pancreas releases two hormones, glucagon and insulin, to help to balance the blood sugar in your body.

• Glucagon regulates blood sugar when your body is in a fasting state. Without a steady supply of food, it helps release glycogen, which is stored in the liver and other tissues.
• Insulin regulates blood sugar by helping glucose enter your cells as an energy source. Without insulin glucose travels through your blood and accumulates in excessive levels without reaching the tissues that need it.

The normal range for fasting blood sugar (when you have not eaten) is between 70mg/dL and 100mg/dL. One is considered pre-diabetic if your fasting blood sugar is between 100mg/dL and 125mg/dL. When your fasting blood sugar is above 126mg/dL on two or more separate tests, you will be likely be classified as diabetic.

Too much or too little glucose in your blood can cause issues. Hypoglycemia can be caused by not eating enough, drinking alcohol on an empty stomach, taking certain medications, or being more active than usual. Symptoms of hypoglycemia are dizziness, sweating, confusion, and fainting.

Hyperglycemia can be caused by overeating carbohydrates or sugars, dehydration, being sedentary, certain medications, illness, and stress. It is more common in conditions that affect insulin regulation like diabetes. Symptoms of hyperglycemia are excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.

The two primary forms of diabetes are classified according to how they impact blood sugar regulation.

1. Type 1 diabetes – often diagnosed at an early age and is considered an autoimmune disorder. The body does not produce enough insulin because the pancreas is not working properly.
2. Type 2 diabetes – This usually develops later in life due to lifestyle and diet choices. It develops when insulin becomes less effective at moving glucose into your cells, causing it to accumulate in the bloodstream.

Maintaining blood sugar in the normal range helps prevent complications associated with diabetes and other health conditions. Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular physical activity, and taking supplements that may help reduce blood sugar levels and other complications linked to diabetes. Please refer to the list of supplements below for blood sugar support:

• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• Berberine
• Cinnamon
• Magnesium
• Chromium
• Omega-3-Fatty Acids like our Fish Oil or Krill Oil
• Gymnema Sylvestre
• Bitter melon
• Fenugreek
• Vanadium

Our Gluco Hx is a combination formula, containing many of the above nutrients. Our C-Betics also has ingredients that studies show help with blood sugar regulation. Other tips include:

• Keeping track of your blood sugar to see what makes it go up or down.
• Eat regularly and do not skip meals.
• Eat foods lower in calories, saturated fats, sugar, and salt.
• Drink water instead of juice or soda.
• Limit alcoholic drinks.

Overall, you can control your blood sugar through regular monitoring, diet, exercise and supplements to help prevent complications and promote overall well-being.

References:

Blood Sugar Level Chart: What’s Normal, Low, and High?

Blood Sugar: What It Is and How It Works

Manage Blood Sugar | Diabetes | CDC

Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Types

A scientific review: the role of chromium in insulin resistance – PubMed

The effect of Gymnema sylvestre supplementation on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed

Noreen Kodula, Certified Natural Health Professional (CNHP)