Did you know that skin is the body's largest organ? That makes keeping your skin healthy very essential to a lasting and healthy life. When your skin is healthy, it...
Naturally Regulating Your Blood Sugar
Karen May, DC, CCSP, CCIP
What is the importance of blood sugar?
High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, is often related to diabetes and prediabetes. If left unmanaged, diabetes can lead to painful neuropathy symptoms.
Your body naturally produces a hormone called insulin. Insulin plays a key role in regulating blood sugar by circulating the sugar in your blood.
External and lifestyle choices like poor nutrition, lack of exercise and high stress levels can lead to too little produced insulin, or your body not being able to effectively able to use insulin.
Luckily, there are changes you can make to your lifestyle to better regulate your blood sugar.
1. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and help lose weight. If you do have issues regulating your blood sugar levels, be sure to check your levels before and after exercise.
Another useful tool for a healthier lifestyle is to break up long periods of sitting.
Just by standing for 30 seconds every 30 minutes can help to lower blood sugar. For more information, check out my video on Sitting Kills, above.
The key to regular exercise, is simply making sure it is regular. Aim for about 150 minutes of exercise a week. You can break this up in any way to fit in with your lifestyle. Brisk walks, bicycling, swimming, and dancing are all great forms of exercise. Anything that you do to get your body is moving is better than a sedentary lifestyle!
2. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated and drinking water helps your kidneys flush out excess sugars. One study showed that individuals who drank more water were at a lower risk of developing high blood sugar levels.
Drinking water lowers blood sugar levels, rehydrates the blood, reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
3. Get Quality Sleep
Quality sleep has been proven to help your body regulate blood sugar levels. Sleep is when your body heals and repairs itself, making it essential for a healthier lifestyle.
For more on how to achieve quality sleep, check out my video below.
4. Quality Nutrition
70% of your health is dependent on nutrition, so ensuring you are eating well is essential for regulating blood sugar levels. Using proper portion control, eating whole foods, and minimizing consumption of inflammatory foods can all help you regulate your blood sugar. For more on nutrition, check out my playlist on YouTube, full of great information and small steps that you can take to improve your nutrition and quality of life.
If you are actively working on regulating your blood sugar, be sure to regularly check your levels to ensure they do not drop too low.
5. Supplements
While you begin making lifestyle changes, you may find you need a little boost to help get you in the right direction. I have chosen some supplements that I both trust and love, that will help you better regulate your blood sugar.
Berberine 500mg - Integrative Therapeutics
Why I love it
Berberine activates adenosine monophosphate kinase (AMPK). AMPK is activated through mechanisms like exercise to support glucose metabolism via an insulin-independent mechanism. This allows Berberine to support healthy blood sugar and insulin metabolism.
Chromium (Picolinate) 500mcg - Pure Encapsulations
Why I love it
Chromium picolinate supports:
- Fat, glucose, and lipid metabolism
- Enzyme Activation
- Healthy carbohydrate utilization
All of these great benefits make chromium picolinate a great tool for regulating blood sugar.
Cinnamon - Herb Pharm
Why I love it
Cinnamon has been shown to be effective in increasing glycogen synthesis in the liver and to enhance glucose uptake in skeletal muscles. This makes cinnamon beneficial for controlling both blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.
Cautions: Seek expert medical advice before taking during pregnancy. Keep Out of the Reach of Children. Store away from heat & light.
Psyllium Husk Powder - Metabolic Maintenance
Why I love it
Psyllium, similarly to other soluble fibers, passes through the small intestine without being completely broken down or absorbed. It instead absorbs water and has been shown to benefit blood sugar, blood pressure, and aid in weight loss.
Ther-Biotic Complete Probiotic - Klaire Labs
Why I love it
This unique blend of probiotic species is formulated to support a healthy balance of microbiota across the entire gastrointestinal tract. Ther-Biotic is designed for individuals who require higher amounts of several different types of probiotic species.
Conclusion
With some key lifestyle changes, you can start to better regulate your blood sugar and begin to see other positive side effects from healthier decisions. Combined with lifestyle changes, these supplements can also help you support a healthier blood sugar level.
-
Berberine 500mg - Integrative Therapeutics
-
Chromium (Picolinate) 500mcg - Pure Encapsulations
-
Cinnamon - Herb Pharm
-
Psyllium Husk Powder - Metabolic Maintenance
-
Ther-Biotic Complete Probiotic - Klaire Labs
Visit my FullScript Dispensary to view all of these products and more by clicking the button below!
Like with any recommendation- Please make certain it is right for you and follow the instructions on the bottle and read any caution warnings that may apply to you especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.