Finding the Root of What Ails

Have you ever had symptoms that don't seem to go away? When our bodies are not in- balance we will have symptoms which are clues and cues that something needs our attention. In Western medicine, our go-to is medicine. We prescribe something to relieve the symptom. While this may offer some relief, it doesn't get to the root of the problem.

I have been on a mission recently to see how parts of the body work together and how simple things, like blood sugar affect health. We don't necessarily like to talk about diet with patients for a lot of reasons. Firstly, people want to eat what they want to eat and rarely see the relationship between food and health. It is not only a physical need for food, but emotional as well. We do not want to give up our Poptarts for breakfast and every time we talk about food, we talk about deprivation...it's like pushing rocks up hill. We might tackle diet if someone is obese, but what if they are normal weight? Secondly, most of us have a disordered eating pattern, we have been given bad information by advertisers, health professionals and others in authority about when we should eat, what we should eat, what we shouldn't eat and all manner of what supplements to take. Is it really this hard? Does it have to be? Can't we just eat food and be healthy? I think the answer is yes.

Today I just want to point out 17 common symptoms that may relate to how inconsistent or consistently high or low blood sugar affects our bodies. It is fascinating to begin to understand our fueling of our bodies and how we respond given our bio-individuality. No two people are alike so we can't treat everyone the same way. Here are some of the ways blood sugar issues might present themselves to individuals.

1. Fatigue and energy fluctuations as the body struggles to maintain consistent energy output. This makes it hard to accomplish things and find motivation. The kind of fuel we put in our bodies makes a difference in how we respond and what our glucose and insulin levels do.

2. Unexplained weight changes can happen when glucose is not properly utilized and people may gain or lose weight without really changing their diet. People who eat pretty well and get some exercise but are unable to change the numbers on the scale become frustrated. How do we know what to do with all of the information out there?

3. Increased thirst and urination can happen when excess glucose circulates in the blood and the body is insulin resistant enough that it doesn't take care of the excess glucose. The kidneys work harder to filter and excrete it which leads to increased urine production and increased thirst as a result.

4. Blurry vision and changes in eye health can be temporary and can be caused by higher glucose in the blood causing swelling and changes in vision. It is your body giving you a clue that you need to take action for your health.

5. Slow healing wounds are sometimes caused by higher glucose levels which impairs circulation necessary for the body to repair itself

6. Joint and muscle pain and lack of flexibility are many times due to inflammation caused by elevated blood sugar.

7. Mood swings and irritability are very common complaints in my office. We know that glucose is a key energy source for the brain and big surges and dips related to food intake can affect mood and cognitive function. Low blood sugar can cause feelings of anxiety, irritability and confusion and high levels can cause feelings of lethargy and depression

8. Frequent infections are often found when blood sugar levels are high. Higher blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system leaving the body susceptible to infection and causing overgrowth of yeast and fungus on skin and nails and also in the small intestine.

9. Tingling and numbness of the hands and feet can be an early indicator of blood sugar imbalance. High glucose levels can damage nerves leading to neuropathy.

10. Digestive issues with low blood sugar sometimes causing nausea and higher levels causing bloating, gas and constipation. Once again, overgrowth of yeast and bad bacteria in the gut can cause a lot of symptoms

11. Skin changes with dryness, itching, discoloration or hyperpigmentation and skin tags can be caused by elevated blood sugar.

12. Sleep disturbances with high and low blood sugar cause insomnia, restless sleep and waking during the night.

13. Craving sweets is not a sign of weakness, it is often indicative of unstable blood sugar. When blood sugar goes up fast, it usually falls fast and people fall into a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Sugar is the quick fix, and also the culprit.

14. Headaches and migraines can be a clue that there is a blood sugar imbalance. Fluctuating glucose levels can affect blood flow and nerve function.

15. Cognitive impairment can be due to typical aging. We might find signs of difficulty concentrating, or searching our sluggish brain to retrieve simple information. What we know is that glucose is the key energy source for the brain and fluctuations in glucose can affect how well ( or not) our brains work.

16. Anxiety and stress can be indicators of blood sugar imbalance. High or low glucose levels does affect the body's stress response which can cause feelings of anxiety or tension.

17. Nail health is an obscure indicator of wellness, but how often has a practitioner actually looked at your nails as part of your exam? When glucose levels fluctuate, circulation is impaired and this leads to poor nutrient delivery and absorption (biotin, zinc, and iron are essential) to the extremities...including the nails.

These are only a few of the symptoms people complain about, and yes there are a lot of drugs and supplements that can help with these symptoms, but I have another idea. If we put our efforts into finding the root of our symptoms we can often walk it back toward health. There are no magic foods or magic injections or magic supplements that will change the way you feel more than finding the right foods and keeping your blood sugar stable without the highs and lows.

We should start with some bloodwork to see what a baseline looks like (Triglycerides, fasting glucose and insulin, HgbA1C, homocystine and CRP-hs) and then we use a Stelo continuous glucose monitor which monitors blood sugar levels in the interstitial fluids to see what the glucose does over time

Wearing a Stelo continuous glucose monitor allows people to see their glucose levels in real time (well, sometimes there is a little lag), but allows individuals to see how certain foods and movement can affect blood sugar and ultimately the health of the body. The information appears as a read-out on your phone and gives you information over time for two weeks at a time. It is very empowering to see that with a little effort you can change how you fuel your body so that it functions to the best of its ability. Couple the use the Stelo with weekly practitioner visit support (who is wearing a Stelo as we speak) and this may be a game changer for many people who are struggling with symptoms and are having a difficult time finding answers.

This is only one way to look at glucose and insulin levels, but it is available and it is an interesting way to take charge of your health!

Stay tuned for more information including virtual and in-person gatherings to discuss wellness, they will be called "A time to Talk."

Until next time...Be Well!