Blood Sugar Regulation
Blood sugar regulation is the process by which the body keeps the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood stable. This is important because too much or too little sugar in the blood can lead to serious health issues.
The body uses hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, to regulate blood sugar levels. When we eat, our blood sugar level increases and insulin is released to help store the excess sugar in the cells. On the other hand, when we haven't eaten for a while and our blood sugar level decreases, glucagon is released to signal the liver to release stored sugar into the blood.
The goal of blood sugar regulation is to keep the sugar level in the blood within a healthy range, not too high or too low. A balanced diet, regular physical activity, and stress management can all help support proper blood sugar regulation.
Glucose is the main energy source for the body's cells and organs, and maintaining a healthy glucose level throughout the day is crucial for overall health. When glucose levels are not adequately regulated, it can lead to many glucose-related health issues affecting specific organs. Some of these issues include:
Heart: Chronically high glucose levels can ultimately damage our blood vessels. Overtime, this damage can lead to high blood pressure and chronic inflammation, both of which increases risk of cardiovascular disease.
Kidneys: When high blood sugar goes unchecked for years, we can start to see impaired kidney function. Our kidneys are made up of tiny filtration units called nephrons. Overtime, high blood sugar levels can damage and clog these filters. As a result, protein starts spilling into the urine when it shouldn’t and overall kidney function declines. Common signs and symptoms of decreased kidney function include high blood pressure, swelling in the feet or ankles, shortness of breath, fatigue and more.
Nerves: Nerve damage is one of the long-term complications of uncontrolled blood sugar levels. When you have too much glucose circulating in your blood, it can cause damage to the blood vessels that supply the nerves in your body. This leads to peripheral neuropathy, which causes numbness, tingling, slow wound healing and cold hands and feet.
Eyes: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels all over the body. The blood vessels in our eyes are no different. When sugar starts to block the tiny blood vessels that go to your retina, you can develop diabetic retinopathy, an eye condition that can cause vision loss in individuals with diabetes.
Feet: Foot issues are extremely common in individuals with diabetes. This is usually a result of the peripheral neuropathy that was discussed above. High glucose levels can cause nerve damage and poor foot circulation, increasing the risk of foot ulcers and infections.
Pancreas: The pancreas is responsible for producing both digestive enzymes and insulin. Insulin helps us shuttle glucose from our bloodstream into our cells so we can use it as energy. As a result, it helps lower our blood glucose levels. If your pancreas isn’t making as much insulin as it your body needs, or your body stops responding to the insulin that it’s pumping out, this can put you at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Brain: Because high blood sugar levels can be so damaging to our blood vessels and nerve function, it’s no surprise that brain function may also be impacted overtime. Not only is there an increased risk of stroke, but a significant increase in the risk of dementia.
Our doctors can help with blood sugar regulation by utilizing various natural and holistic approaches. They may focus on addressing underlying causes of imbalanced blood sugar levels, such as poor diet, stress, lack of physical activity, and hormonal imbalances. Some common techniques a naturopathic doctor might use to regulate blood sugar levels include:
Diet and nutrition: Encouraging a balanced diet can help regulate blood sugar levels.
Herbs and supplements: Certain herbs and supplements may help regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity and reducing oxidative stress.
Physical activity: Regular exercise, especially aerobic and resistance training, can improve insulin sensitivity and regulate blood sugar levels.
Stress management: Managing stress through techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and regular relaxation can help regulate blood sugar levels, as stress can disrupt glucose metabolism.
Hormonal balancing: If hormonal imbalances, such as cortisol imbalances, are contributing to imbalanced blood sugar levels, a naturopathic doctor may use natural remedies and lifestyle modifications to support hormone balance.
We aim to treat the whole person, rather than just the symptoms, and therefore may recommend a variety of other therapies, such as acupuncture and massage to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Request a Free 15-Minute Phone Call with one of our Doctors:
More Articles Related to Blood Sugar Regulation:
