Hidden Factors Affecting Blood Sugar Balance

Is your fasting glucose elevated? What about your HbA1c?

If you’re nodding your head, you’re not alone. High blood sugar can lead to a host of health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

BUT It’s Not Just About Sugar!

While it’s true that consuming too much sugar can contribute to high blood sugar, there are other factors that can impact your blood sugar levels.

Hidden Culprits Sabotaging Your Blood Sugar Balance

1. Microbial Balance

The gut is home to a vast array of microorganisms, with densities ranging from 1 × 10^4 cells/g in the jejunum to 1 × 10^14 cells/g in the colon. An imbalance in this microbial community, often caused by factors like poor diet, antibiotic overuse, environmental toxins, and stress, can lead to impaired nutrient absorption, including glucose.

When the gut microbiome is disrupted, it triggers a cascade of negative effects, including:

• Increased systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS): LPS, a component of bacterial cell walls, can trigger inflammation when it enters the bloodstream.
• Altered bile acid metabolism: Bile acids, essential for fat digestion, can be metabolized by gut bacteria. Imbalances in this process can lead to inflammation and metabolic disorders.
• Changes in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production: SCFAs, produced by gut bacteria, play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and regulating blood sugar. Imbalances in SCFA production can contribute to metabolic disorders.
• Alterations in gut hormone secretion: Gut hormones, such as GLP-1 and PYY, regulate appetite and blood sugar. Microbial imbalances can disrupt the secretion of these hormones. This is particularly important for individuals considering medications like Ozempic, as it works by mimicking the effects of GLP-1.
• Elevated MMP-9: MMP-9, a major inflammatory marker of the gut, is often significantly increased in cases of microbial imbalance, contributing to inflammation and tissue damage. This enzyme has been shown to be elevated in acute stress hyperglycemia, and chronic hyperglycemia.

One specific condition linked to microbial imbalance is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). In SIBO, bacteria that normally reside in the colon overgrow in the small intestine, leading to malabsorption, inflammation, and metabolic disturbances. SIBO has been implicated in various health conditions, including diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and obesity.

2. Vitamin B1: Thiamine DeficiencyThiamine, is an essential nutrient often overlooked in discussions of blood sugar regulation. This vitamin plays a crucial role in several metabolic processes, particularly in the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose.Thiamine acts as a coenzyme for several key enzymes involved in glucose metabolism:
   • Transketolase (TK): Thiamine is essential for the function of TK, an enzyme involved in the pentose phosphate pathway. This pathway provides NADPH, a crucial reducing agent for various cellular processes, including fatty acid synthesis and antioxidant defense.
   • Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC): Thiamine is a cofactor for PDC, which converts pyruvate, a product of glycolysis, into acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA is then used in the citric acid cycle to generate ATP, the energy currency of the cell.
   • α-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase Complex (KGDHC): Thiamine is also required for the function of KGDHC, another key enzyme in the citric acid cycle.
3. Seed Oils

Omega-6 fatty acids are essential nutrients that play a crucial role in maintaining cellular health. They are involved in various bodily functions, including cell growth, repair, and signaling. One of their primary roles is to help maintain cell wall integrity and suppleness.

However, it’s important to note that not all sources of omega-6 are equal. While whole food sources like nuts, seeds, and poultry provide valuable omega-6, oxidized omega-6s from processed seed oils can contribute to inflammation.

Non-oxidized omega-6s, such as those found in safflower and grapeseed oils, are essential for cellular health. However, to maintain your golden glow, it’s crucial to balance omega-6 intake with omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s help to reduce inflammation and counteract the negative effects of excess omega-6. The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids is around 2:1. However, in today’s diet, this ratio is often skewed towards omega-6, with estimates suggesting a ratio of 20:1 or higher.

When omega-6 intake significantly outweighs omega-3, it can lead to lipid peroxidation, a process that damages cells and tissues. This imbalance can also contribute to chronic inflammation, which is linked to various health issues, including heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases.

4. Chronic Stress

The stress hormone, cortisol, plays an important role in regulating blood sugar levels. When we are faced with stress, whether it’s external or internal, your body initiates a stress response, leading to the release of cortisol.

One of cortisol’s primary functions is to mobilize glucose for energy. It signals the liver to release stored glucose into the bloodstream, a process known as gluconeogenesis. This rapid increase in blood sugar provides the energy needed to respond to the stressor, such as “fight or flight.”

However, when stress becomes chronic, the body remains in a constant state of alert, leading to sustained elevated cortisol levels. This prolonged exposure to high cortisol can disrupt the balance of blood sugar regulation.

5. Toxic Overload:

Toxic overload, caused by exposure to heavy metals and environmental toxins, can disrupt blood sugar regulation. These toxins, present in air pollution, non-organic foods, municipal water sources, and even personal care products, will accumulate in the body over time. Heavy metal toxicity, from mercury, thallium, cadmium and lead, can impair the function of many organs, including the pancreas. This can lead to reduced insulin production and insulin resistance, increasing the risk of developing blood sugar dysregulation, such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, and diabetes. This is particularly concerning for individuals who have received multiple mercury-containing vaccines.

By addressing these issues that includes the overconsumption of seed oils, chronic stress, toxic overload, microbial imbalances, and vitamin deficiencies, we can take a more balanced and comprehensive approach to blood sugar management.

One effective strategy to achieving your golden glow and blood sugar balance is to incorporate my Golden Goddess Plate, which emphasizes consuming nutrient-dense whole foods. By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, such as fruits, vegetables, clean proteins, and healthy fats, you can optimize your blood sugar levels and promote your golden glow.

References:

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