Fatigued? Low-Energy? Understanding Blood Sugar Balance and the Power of Integrative Nutrition

Understanding Insulin Resistance, Hypoglycemia, Cortisol, and the Power of Glucose Monitoring and Integrative Nutrition

Energy is the life force that keeps us going, and our bodies rely heavily on a well-balanced blood sugar level to maintain it. However, when insulin resistance and hypoglycemia come into play, this energy balance can be seriously disrupted. In this blog, we'll explore the intricate relationship between insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, cortisol, and energy levels, while also delving into the use of glucose monitoring devices and the promising role of integrative and functional nutrition in supporting blood sugar balance.

Insulin Resistance: A Barrier to Energy

Insulin plays a pivotal role in regulating blood sugar (glucose) levels. It acts like a key, allowing glucose to enter cells where it's used for energy. However, in cases of insulin resistance, the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. As a result, glucose remains in the bloodstream, unable to efficiently enter cells for energy production.

(Sourced from https://www.news-medical.net/health/Insulin-Gene.aspx)

The consequences of insulin resistance can be felt throughout the body. Fatigue, a common symptom, occurs because cells aren't getting the energy they need. This can lead you to feel tired after a meal, as your body can’t convert the glucose you just ate into energy. Additionally, the body compensates by producing more insulin, which can eventually lead to diabetes if left unchecked. The constant demand for insulin can also promote inflammation, further depleting your energy reserves.

Hypoglycemia: The Energy Roller Coaster

On the flip side, hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can also wreak havoc on your energy levels.

Feel tired before meals? Have a racing heart? Can’t focus until you eat? It’s possible you have hypoglycemia. This condition occurs when blood glucose levels drop below normal, typically below 70 mg/dL. Symptoms can range from mild shakiness and dizziness to severe confusion and even loss of consciousness.

Hypoglycemia often happens when too much insulin is released into the bloodstream, causing excess glucose to be removed from the blood. This rapid drop in blood sugar can leave you feeling weak, irritable, and drained of energy.

While we discuss insulin resistance and hypoglycemia as two separate events, it is possible for a patient to present with both. Our team at PIM is well versed in addressing both types of blood sugar issues that may be occurring simultaneously.

The Role of Cortisol

We often think of cortisol as the “stress hormone,” however it has many roles in the body and impacts almost every organ system. The Cleveland Clinic explains that “in short spurts, cortisol can boost your immunity by limiting inflammation. However, if you have consistently high levels of cortisol, your body can get used to having too much cortisol in your blood, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system.”

In terms of its impact on blood sugar, cortisol actually directs the release of stored glucose from the liver, therefore raising blood sugar. If you have chronic high cortisol, this can lead to hyperglycemia (persistent high blood sugar).

Glucose Monitoring Devices: The Key to Control

For those dealing with insulin resistance and hypoglycemia, glucose monitoring devices are invaluable tools. Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) systems and traditional blood glucose meters can provide real-time data on your blood sugar levels, helping you make informed decisions about your diet, medication, and activity levels.

CGM devices, in particular, offer a comprehensive view of your glucose patterns throughout the day, allowing you to identify trends and take proactive measures. These devices sound alarms when your blood sugar is too high or too low, helping you avoid energy-draining spikes and crashes. They also give your health care provider an understanding of what you need to regulate your blood sugar. Understanding where your levels are day to day, and even hourly, can provide us with key insights into how to best balance your blood sugar from an integrative and functional perspective.

Integrative and Functional Nutrition: Balancing Blood Sugar Naturally

Now, let's explore how integrative and functional nutrition can play a vital role in managing insulin resistance and hypoglycemia to regain and maintain your energy levels:

Balanced Diet: Integrative nutrition emphasizes a balanced diet rich in whole foods, including complex carbohydrates, fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Such a diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels and provide sustained energy. Adding protein into meals can help minimize blood sugar spikes from high-carbohydrate foods.

Meal Timing: Eating smaller, balanced meals more frequently throughout the day can prevent blood sugar fluctuations. This approach can help avoid the energy crashes associated with hypoglycemia.

Fiber: Eating fiber rich foods or adding extra fiber like ground chia or flaxseed can improve the glycemic index of whatever you are eating.

Supplementation: Integrative nutrition may include targeted supplementation with vitamins, minerals, and herbs that support blood sugar regulation.

Stress Management: Stress can exacerbate insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia. Techniques such as mindfulness, yoga, and meditation, often integrated into functional nutrition plans, can help manage stress levels.

Regular Exercise: Physical activity can improve insulin sensitivity, enhance glucose utilization, and boost overall energy levels. When you have extra muscle, your blood sugar is on average lower as muscle needs blood sugar even when you are at rest!

Individualized Plans: Integrative and functional nutritionists create individualized plans, considering your unique physiology and lifestyle, to effectively manage insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalances. Learn more by scheduling an appointment or a free 20 minute consultation with our functional nutritionist, Pooja. Ready to schedule? Click here.

Conclusion

The intricate dance between insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, cortisol, and energy levels can be challenging, but there are many things we can do to help you regain balance. By utilizing glucose monitoring devices to track your blood sugar, and by embracing integrative and functional nutrition principles, you can begin to enhance your energy levels and feel empowered in your life.

PIM wants to hear from you! Do you experience fatigue? Imbalanced blood sugar? High cortisol? Did you find this article helpful? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on our Facebook and Instagram!

If you or your loved one needs help, perhaps you are suffering from the effects of ongoing stress, mood or hormone imbalance, including thyroid imbalance, or you or they are already working with a doctor to address a condition but want a more comprehensive, empowering approach to medicine? Schedule a free 20-minute consultation with Lynda Sherland, CRNP, FNP-C, Pooja Mahtani PharmD, MS, CNS, LDN, IFMCP, or Veronica Porterfield, PA-C today! Not quite ready to schedule, but have questions? Quickly get in touch with us today!

Resources:

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22187-cortisol#:~:text=Cortisol%20raises%20blood%20sugar%20by,can%20cause%20Type%202%20diabetes.