Why Focus Only On Glucose, But Not Insulin?

People with persistently high blood sugar levels may experience subsequent health issues, including heart disease and diabetes. Millions of individuals worldwide have diabetes and other chronic disorders due to high blood glucose levels. Although diabetes is the most common word, there are type 1 diabetes, juvenile diabetes, and insulin-dependent diabetes.

HealthifyPro 2.0 CGM helps monitor blood glucose levels continuously. It comes with BIOS, a biosensor system that comprises a continuous glucose monitor. It is the foundation for preventing long-term conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

Making the best food choices is easier with the help of HealthifyPro 2.0. It helps you understand the precise relationship one’s body has with specific foods. It is made possible through continuous monitoring. For example, continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM), a revolutionary technology, helps determine dietary combinations. But glucose is not the only thing you should consider for your health improvement or diabetes. It is better to consider the importance of insulin. By considering the differences in blood glucose levels and users’ food consumption, the coaches may better identify which foods are ideal for your body. Furthermore, with the metabolic panel testing and AI-based approach, the coaches also consider the possible causes of insulin resistance. That helps you make better, more personalised meal choices to help manage and reduce your glucose spikes.

This article discusses many of the concerns regarding insulin and glucose.

Insulin: An Introduction

Insulin, a hormone, helps to regulate blood sugar levels. When you eat, your pancreas secretes insulin in response to the presence of glucose. Glucose is a type of sugar present in foods. Insulin helps transport glucose from the bloodstream into cells, which your body can use for energy. If the blood sugar level is too high, insulin helps to lower them. When blood sugar levels are too low, insulin helps to raise them.

Insulin Resistance?

Insulin resistance is when your muscles, fat and liver cells don’t respond well to insulin. As a result, they can’t use glucose from your blood for energy which causes issues like obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. You may also refer to it as a metabolic syndrome.

People are concerned about Glucose but NOT Insulin

Despite its importance, health experts often overlook insulin. It is because glucose is a much easier target for treatment than insulin. However, focusing on glucose, ignores that it is not the only factor influencing blood sugar levels. Insulin also plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar levels. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body cannot produce enough insulin, so you have to take insulin to control your blood sugar levels. In type 2 diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well. So a focus on insulin and glucose would be more likely to achieve better results with treatments for diabetes.

Relationship Between Insulin and Glucose

Insulin and glucose are responsible for regulating blood sugar levels in the body. When the levels of either one get out of whack, it can lead to serious health problems. For example, too much insulin can cause diabetes, while too little can lead to hypoglycemia. Interestingly, these opposite effects result from the same hormone, insulin. Insulin works by sending glucose into cells, where the body uses it as energy. When the body needs more energy, it releases insulin from the cells, and blood sugar levels go down. Conversely, insulin is released when blood sugar levels are low to help bring them up.

Glucose Intolerance

Glucose intolerance, also known as prediabetes and diabetes, is when your body doesn’t use sugar properly. It can lead to constant thirst and frequent urination, similar to prediabetes and diabetes symptoms. However, you can prevent these conditions early on with proper treatment and diagnosis.

Glucose is Normal, but Insulin is High. What Does That Imply?

People with type 2 diabetes often experience Hyperinsulinemia. A term that describes insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas which helps regulate blood sugar levels. An average glucose level often accompanies Hyperinsulinemia, so it’s not diabetes alone. Still, people with Hyperinsulinemia are eight times as likely also to have type 2 diabetes.

Implications of High Glucose Intake

Sugar has addictive qualities, and, like cocaine, its impacts are similar. As per research, sugar encourages the production of dopamine, a pleasure hormone. As a result, people can crave sweets and simple carbs without thinking. Furthermore, since human bodies become tolerant of sugar, cravings increase when people eat more of it. 

Neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus are responsible for the sleep/wake cycle, among other things. They get sensitive to small increases in blood glucose levels and signal that you are about to go into a sleep state after eating/drinking enough sugar. So while you might experience a “sugar high” shortly after eating or drinking, it will soon be followed by a “crash”.

Weight Gain

Over time, high sugar consumption can lead to weight gain. In addition, you can feel the adverse effects of eating excess sugar, and you may experience fatigue. As a result, the body will store excess blood sugar as fat. In addition, overeating sugar makes your leptin levels drop and your body less responsive to certain hormones that tell you when to eat. Sugar also increases insulin production and raises blood sugar levels, which causes a vicious cycle of overeating food.

Suppresses Immune System

Too much sugar can lead to reduced activity of white blood cells, which are responsible for killing pathogens like viruses. Therefore, overeating sugar regularly can make people susceptible to whatever contagion may be floating around. Hyperglycemia is a situation when blood glucose levels are high. An average adult should have blood sugar levels under 6.1mmol/L while fasting. Fasting is not a part of diabetes but rather energy intake. As per research, excess sugar intake is the primary cause of everything from diabetes to Alzheimer’s.

Causes

Diabetes is the “silent killer” because the symptoms are easy to miss, and elevated blood sugar levels can go unnoticed for years before it becomes a significant issue. There are two main types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2.

People with Type 1 diabetes have long lost the ability to secrete insulin. As a result, they also experience high blood sugar because their cells can no longer process glucose. Autoimmune destruction of beta receptors within the pancreas is why their cells burn glucose, making them dependent on an external supply of insulin. It can also happen due to physical injuries such as a car accident or surgery, with surgical destruction leading to Type 1 diabetes.

To help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, maintain a healthy diet and achieve optimal weight. A poor lifestyle primarily causes type 2 diabetes. For example, persistent high blood sugar levels cause sensitivity to insulin signals to be reduced, leading to resistance. Weight loss can restore normal blood sugar levels.

Experts revealed that diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the next ten years. Furthermore, statistics from diabetes suggest that the death numbers are estimated to increase by 50% in the next ten years.

The HealthifyMe Note

Insulin is arguably the essential hormone in the body. Not only does it help to manage blood sugar levels, but it also helps to regulate weight, protect cells from damage, and keep muscles functioning properly. However, too much insulin can lead to diabetes, while too little can lead to hypoglycemia. Additionally, the insulin allows glucose to enter cells to be used as energy and also signals your liver to store blood sugar for later use.

Complications

All health complications begin after prolonged exposure to high blood sugars with the smallest blood vessels, the arteries that supply your heart and kidneys, and retinas. Excess blood sugar lowers the elasticity of blood vessels and causes them to narrow, decreasing the blood flow. As a result, it can cause a reduced supply of blood and oxygen, increasing the risk of high blood pressure and damage to large and small blood vessels.

Nerve Damage

It is the most common complication of diabetes. Uncontrolled high blood sugar damages nerves and interferes with their ability to send signals, leading to diabetic neuropathy. With nerve damage, symptoms may start with the toes and progress up towards the heart eventually, where it can cause numbness all over due to dead nerves. In addition, an infection could be more likely if you have nerve damage.

Amputation

The nerve endings in the body tell about when something doesn’t feel right. When these nerves become damaged, the body becomes very susceptible to handling infection and tissue damage because they can no longer alert the immune system to stay vigilant. Diabetes can result in delayed wound healing, leading to amputation. Keeping blood sugar levels under 7.8 millimoles per litre for one hour after eating will slowly reverse the process of neuropathy and reduce the risk for amputations.

Supplements to Manage Diabetes

The most critical things diabetes patients can do to prevent complications are to lose excess weight, maintain an active lifestyle and eat a high-fibre diet. Research shows that Erythritol may be a preferred sugar substitute for patients with diabetes mellitus. As well as diet and exercise supplements, natural supplements like erythritol help manage diabetes complications, primarily type 2 diabetes. Below are some supplements that help people with diabetes and other related health problems.

Magnesium

People with type 2 diabetes often have low magnesium levels, affecting how the body metabolises glucose and insulin. People who have type 1 diabetes lose magnesium through excessive urination. There’s also evidence that people with type 1 diabetes or low magnesium levels may experience more damage to their eyes and neurological symptoms. On top of these findings, both disorders can rob people of the necessary minerals for proper metabolism.

Chromium

Chromium is essential in several metabolic processes. For example, chromium can help reduce insulin resistance, common among those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Scientific research indicates that omega -3 can reduce inflammation and damage to the brain due to excess sugar intake. DHA is an excellent omega-3 fatty acid that occurs naturally in the membranes of the brain cells and supports memory and learning.

The HealthifyMe Note

Most issues start after prolonged interaction with high blood sugar levels in the narrowest arteries. They usually rip over time and bleed when the pressure is severe enough. In addition to blood vessel rupture, consuming insufficient amounts of greens might also result in nerve damage, tissue damage, infection, and even amputation. Therefore, the most crucial things people with diabetes do are to lose weight, maintain an active lifestyle, and consume a diet high in fibre.

Dietary Tips

Stick with The Routine

Meals high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can lead to blood sugar spikes. It is easier for some to manage blood sugar levels if they eat frequently. First, speak with your nutritionist about a meal plan that’s right for you. Then, stay committed to it once you’ve put it in place.

When you take carbohydrates, your blood sugar rises quickly. Foods with a high glycemic index (GI) and processed foods like pretzels, white rice, and white bread are particularly associated with sudden changes. Some low-GI foods include beans, whole grains, fruit and non-starchy vegetables like spinach or carrots. Along with balanced meals, healthy snacks can help to keep your blood sugar from spiking too much.

Count Carbs

If you have a CGM, you might find this easier to do. You can adjust your insulin dose as needed by tracking your carb intake over a few days. Then, for a few days, track what you eat and your blood sugar level two hours after the meal; this will help you see how different meals affect your blood sugar levels.

Fibre-Rich Food

You should opt for fibre-rich foods to help balance your blood sugar. Don’t forget to drink lots of water to prevent constipation from increased fibre intake. 

Stay Hydrated

Keeping hydrated isn’t just about your kidneys. If you have trouble with blood sugar, look for fluids to quench the cravings of your thirst and start small by going with water. Herbal tea is also a good alternative if you want some variation.

Snacking Habits

Reduce your intake of sugary, salty packaged foods and prepare them yourself. Use measuring cups and a food scale to ensure you gain the correct nutrients. Mark the calories on all food packages to help determine serving sizes. A palm-sized serving of meat is about the size of one serving at home. For instance, a cup of salad equals one fist-sized serving.

Exercise Routine to Follow

Making time for exercise is critical. Even 5 minutes a day can substantially impact your health and response to insulin. To start, schedule 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week for five days.

Resistance Training

Additionally, when you’re ready, add resistance training. These exercises strengthen your muscles by burning excess glucose and increasing blood flow. Once every two weeks, participate in a gym workout or at-home exercise routine with weights or elastic bands. Pushups and squats are examples of bodyweight exercises that help to build strength.

Choose when you have time to work out as a routine that helps control blood sugar. For example, some people find that working out before breakfast helps optimise or balance their blood sugar levels all day. For others, it doesn’t matter what time of day they work out. Because even once someone finds a routine that balances blood sugar, it is still vital for diabetic people to carry on hand glucose tablets or an emergency snack. This practice is necessary to feel protected if something happens during the workout and they need medical attention.

Post Lunch Exercise

After eating a meal, your blood sugar will most likely be at its peak. Some experts believe that taking a ten to fifteen-minute walk after or before the meal will help avoid the post-meal crash and stimulate the release of sugar into the bloodstream. In addition, it can help your body handle sugar better and avoid turning on your TV after eating.

Exercise can affect blood sugar levels for up to 48 hours, so it’s a good idea to check its levels after each workout. That’s what’ll help you tune in when you’re active and take note of patterns that will help you manage your diabetes better. Furthermore, you will notice other ways to help you control your blood sugar more effectively.

Don’t get bored with your workout routine. You’re more likely to stay involved or active if you switch between activities or keep motivated by asking a friend for support. For example, ask someone to exercise with you so that you can work out different muscles.

Conclusion

Too many people focus on glucose as the key to good health but largely ignore the insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps shuttle glucose from the blood into cells for energy production. When you eat carbohydrates and other foods, your body releases insulin in response to those foods. So by your carbohydrate intake and keeping your insulin levels in check, you can maintain your blood sugar levels and manage your weight.