Patient Care
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January 26, 2021

Five Hacks for Improving Blood Sugar Sensitivity from a Functional Medicine Perspective

Medically Reviewed by
Updated On
January 14, 2025

Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Prediabetes, Insulin Resistance, and Diabetes Type 3 (Alzheimer’s Disease potentially linked to Glucotoxicity) have been increasing in the Western World and large countries like China and India over the last two decades.

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Studies from the CDC show that over 100 million Americans have DM or prediabetes mellitus. In China, prediabetes affects 38.1% of the population, and diabetes mellitus affects over 12.4%. Prediabetes in India is estimated to be up to 14%.

Diabetes Mellitus is defined as having a fasting blood sugar of at least 126 on two separate occasions or having a HgA1C of at least 6.5.

Prediabetes is defined as having a fasting blood sugar of 100 -125 or a HgA1C of 5.7 - 6.4. But a recently published study involving a large number of patients showed that diabetic risk may increase approximately 6% for every fasting blood sugar (FBS) point that goes above 84. Based on these numbers, many patients may not know that they have prediabetes and could be at increased health risks.

Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms associated with blood sugar dysregulation.

Signs & Symptoms of Blood Sugar Sensitivity

  • Fatigue
  • Brain fog
  • Drowsiness in the early afternoon
  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Dry mouth
  • Blurred vision
  • Loss of muscle mass
  • Frequent urination

Possible Causes of Blood Sugar Sensitivity

  • Obesity, especially abdominal fat
  • Inactive lifestyle
  • High carbohydrate diet
  • Gestational Diabetes
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Family history of Diabetes
  • Smoking

Functional Labs to Test for Blood Sugar Sensitivity

Five Tips for Supporting Blood Sugar Sensitivity

  1. Consider decreasing your intake of Linoleic Acid. While some linoleic acid is beneficial, consuming it in moderation may help support healthy insulin function. High levels of linoleic acid are commonly found in conventionally farmed pork or poultry products.
  2. Explore intermittent fasting. Some authors suggest that intermittent fasting may support blood sugar sensitivity. Consult your doctor before starting any fasting routine, especially if you are on prescription medications.
  3. Aim for proper, restful sleep of 7-9 hours nightly. Adequate sleep is important for overall health and well-being.
  4. Try to wait at least 3 hours after eating before going to sleep. This practice may support various health functions, including insulin sensitivity.
  5. Consider EWOT (Exercise with Oxygen Therapy). This activity may support insulin sensitivity and overall health. Consult with a healthcare provider to see if this is suitable for you.

Summary

Many people may have prediabetes without noticeable symptoms. Early awareness and consultation with a healthcare provider can be important for managing health. Working with a healthcare professional and considering lifestyle adjustments may help support overall well-being.

The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

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Lab Tests in This Article

American Sleep Apnea Association. “Sleep Apnea Information for Clinicians.” Www.sleepapnea.org, 26 May 2021, https://www.sleepapnea.org/learn/sleep-apnea-information-clinicians/.

A.P.;, Simopoulos. “Is Insulin Resistance Influenced by Dietary Linoleic Acid and Trans Fatty Acids?” Free Radical Biology & Medicine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8001841/.

Jose J, Thomas N. How should one tackle prediabetes in India? Indian J Med Res. 2018 Dec;148(6):675-676. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30777999/

Lee HJ;Seo HI;Cha HY;Yang YJ;Kwon SH;Yang SJ; “Diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanisms and Nutritional Aspects.” Clinical Nutrition Research, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30406052/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20speculated%20that,mechanisms%20underlying%20diabetes%2Drelated%20dementia.

Limin Wang, M. P. H. (2021, December 28). Prevalence and treatment of Diabetes in China, 2013-2018. JAMA. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2787545#:~:text=The%20combined%20prevalence%20of%20diabetes,a%20previous%20diagnosis%20of%20diabetes.

Nichols GA, Hillier TA, Brown JB. “Normal fasting plasma glucose and risk of type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Am J Med. 2008 Jun;121(6):519-24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18501234/

S.R.;, Ogilvie RP;Patel. “The Epidemiology of Sleep and Diabetes.” Current Diabetes Reports, U.S. National Library of Medicine, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30120578/.

Squibb, Author Mark. “The Definitive Guide to Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT).” LiveO2, https://liveo2.com/ewot/.

Wang L, Peng W, Zhao Z, Zhang M, Shi Z, Song Z, Zhang X, Li C, Huang Z, Sun X, Wang L, Zhou M, Wu J, Wang Y. Prevalence and Treatment of Diabetes in China, 2013-2018. JAMA. 2021 Dec 28;326(24):2498-2506. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20335585/

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