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by Glen Depke
So most of us already know that high blood sugar is an issue that can lead to insulin resistance and Type II Diabetes. For most this does not seem to be a concern though because high blood sugar and related disease is rising at an alarming rate. This is also not an “adult only” issue any longer. 25.8 million children and adults have diabetes. This is over 8% of our population. The fact this is not recognized here is the incredible number of individuals that are significantly challenged with high blood sugar, yet they do not even know it. Let’s first discuss diabetes. Most are familiar with Type I and Type II Diabetes, but did you know that there is a Type 1.5 and Type 3. Type I is an autoimmune condition that has destroyed the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin. Type II is a lifestyle condition that is typically brought on by poor diet, lack of exercise and/or stress. Type 1.5 is an autoimmune reaction that has yet to manifest as full blown Type I. Type 3 is a pancreatic dysfunction that is brought on by challenges with brain function. Yikes, doesn’t this sound bad enough in and by itself? Well, there’s more… High blood sugar can lead to increased cortisol and a hormone imbalance which in turn can lead to a PH imbalance and poor electrolyte balance. Understand that high cortisol and hormone imbalances create an unhealthy adrenal function and your adrenals play a role in the whole of your being. In regard to the electrolytes and PH, most understand that an acidic body is the environment needed to develop disease. Obviously not the environment of choice, yet most of us chose this. High blood sugar also increases leptin, leading to a leptin resistance in the hypothalamus which over time will lead to an increased appetite, even though we are getting adequate nutrition. I cannot tell you how many times I see this with clients in my practice. Another challenge with high blood sugar is tied into insulin resistance. When we are stuck in insulin resistance, this leads to an activation of fat cells. Yes, you heard it right, more fat on you butt, legs, stomach and all the places you do not want it. This also leads to insulin surges which can lead to high estrogen in men and high testosterone in women. These hormone imbalances will also lead to impaired liver function, creating a whole other negative stream of events in your body. The high estrogen in men and high testosterone in women is becoming a huge issue overall. I actually see this in testing with regularity. Men with increased breast tissue and hot flashes and women with thinning hair on their head yet and increase in facial hair are just some of the symptoms I am seeing more often. Another factor with high blood sugar is the activation of chronic inflammatory states, known as a NF-kB state. Chronic inflammation leads to pain, autoimmunity, degeneration of brain/neurological function and leaky gut as well as many other bodily imbalances. High blood sugar will also atrophy the brain. Yes, more sugar, less brain! So ultimately, how important is it to maintain optimal blood sugar? Well, it is safe to say it is just about life or death. To address this, I recommend paying attention to the factors listed below:
So most of us already know that high blood sugar is an issue that can lead to insulin resistance and Type II Diabetes. For most this does not seem to be a concern though because high blood sugar and related disease is rising at an alarming rate. This is also not an “adult only” issue any longer. 25.8 million children and adults have diabetes. This is over 8% of our population. The fact this is not recognized here is the incredible number of individuals that are significantly challenged with high blood sugar, yet they do not even know it. Let’s first discuss diabetes. Most are familiar with Type I and Type II Diabetes, but did you know that there is a Type 1.5 and Type 3. Type I is an autoimmune condition that has destroyed the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin. Type II is a lifestyle condition that is typically brought on by poor diet, lack of exercise and/or stress. Type 1.5 is an autoimmune reaction that has yet to manifest as full blown Type I. Type 3 is a pancreatic dysfunction that is brought on by challenges with brain function. Yikes, doesn’t this sound bad enough in and by itself? Well, there’s more… High blood sugar can lead to increased cortisol and a hormone imbalance which in turn can lead to a PH imbalance and poor electrolyte balance. Understand that high cortisol and hormone imbalances create an unhealthy adrenal function and your adrenals play a role in the whole of your being. In regard to the electrolytes and PH, most understand that an acidic body is the environment needed to develop disease. Obviously not the environment of choice, yet most of us chose this. High blood sugar also increases leptin, leading to a leptin resistance in the hypothalamus which over time will lead to an increased appetite, even though we are getting adequate nutrition. I cannot tell you how many times I see this with clients in my practice. Another challenge with high blood sugar is tied into insulin resistance. When we are stuck in insulin resistance, this leads to an activation of fat cells. Yes, you heard it right, more fat on you butt, legs, stomach and all the places you do not want it. This also leads to insulin surges which can lead to high estrogen in men and high testosterone in women. These hormone imbalances will also lead to impaired liver function, creating a whole other negative stream of events in your body. The high estrogen in men and high testosterone in women is becoming a huge issue overall. I actually see this in testing with regularity. Men with increased breast tissue and hot flashes and women with thinning hair on their head yet and increase in facial hair are just some of the symptoms I am seeing more often. Another factor with high blood sugar is the activation of chronic inflammatory states, known as a NF-kB state. Chronic inflammation leads to pain, autoimmunity, degeneration of brain/neurological function and leaky gut as well as many other bodily imbalances. High blood sugar will also atrophy the brain. Yes, more sugar, less brain! So ultimately, how important is it to maintain optimal blood sugar? Well, it is safe to say it is just about life or death. To address this, I recommend paying attention to the factors listed below:
- Consume low glycemic foods
- Eliminate fructose consumption as much as possible
- Shift your reaction to stress in your life (notice I do not say remove stress as this is not possible for most of us)
- Assess your adrenal function
- Discontinue the consumption of cross reactive foods (click here for complimentary webinar)
- Support proper digestive (gut) function with a quality probiotic and digestive enzyme. I always recommend the Depke Wellness Prime Digestive Support and Prebiotic/Probiotic Formula on the Depke Wellness Store
- Test your C-Peptide marker for a baseline understanding for your ability to produce insulin
- If you have already been diagnosed as with Diabetes assess autoimmunity as a likely challenge
- Eliminate fatigue after meals
- Address inflammatory state
- Increase exercise
