Post Time: 2025-09-01
Regulating Blood Sugar Levels: Understanding the Key Hormone's Role
Maintaining optimal blood sugar levels is crucial for overall health and well-being. The hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels when necessary is insulin. Insulin, produced by the pancreas, plays a vital role in regulating blood glucose levels after meals.
However, other hormones also have an impact on blood sugar regulation. One such example is glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). GLP-1 has been shown to improve glycemic control and lower HbA1c levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes by reducing postprandial glucose excursions.
The Role of Glucoregulatory Hormones
Several hormones, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and amylin, have been shown to reduce blood sugar spikes. GLP-1 has anti-inflammatory properties that improve insulin sensitivity and enhance pancreatic beta-cell function. The hormone also suppresses gastric emptying rate, which reduces postprandial glucose peaks.
When meals are high in protein or fat content, it can lead to a decrease in the incretin effect – an increase in glucose-dependent secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). This reduced incretin response impairs insulin release from the pancreas and increases hepatic glucose production. Thus, eating balanced meals with moderate portions can help maintain healthy blood sugar ranges.
The Impact of Hormones on Blood Sugar Regulation
Dysregulation in hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) has been linked to impaired glycemic control. Reduced secretion of GLP-1 is associated with reduced pancreatic beta-cell function, leading to increased glucose levels over time. Factors influencing hormone production include sleep quality – short or disrupted sleep patterns can reduce the release of incretin hormones.
In addition, a low fiber diet may contribute to decreased insulin sensitivity and increased glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) secretion by promoting gastrointestinal tract inflammation and increasing hepatic gluconeogenesis. Regular exercise stimulates GLP-1 production but also reduces its effectiveness over time if combined with high-fat diets.
The Relationship Between Stress, Cortisol, and Blood Sugar Levels
Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels in the body. While occasional acute stress has no long-term effects on blood sugar regulation or diabetes risk factors such as obesity – a significant increase can cause metabolic derangements leading to insulin resistance and higher fasting glucose values.
Elevated corticosterone hormone secretion during chronic psychological distress inhibits GLP-1 release from gut L cells while enhancing glucagon production by suppressing pancreatic alpha-cell sensitivity. Therefore, maintaining healthy stress levels through relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation can help stabilize blood sugar ranges over time.
Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels: Tips and Strategies
A balanced diet low in processed foods with moderate portions is the cornerstone of a regimen designed to maintain stable glucose excursions throughout the day. Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber-rich fruits, vegetables and plant-based meals can improve GLP-1 sensitivity while inhibiting postprandial peak responses.
Staying hydrated by drinking water also contributes significantly as even mild dehydration impairs muscle cell entry of glucose due to decreased insulin signaling pathway activity thus exacerbating hyperglycemia risk factors.
Get access to my FREE resources 👉 Gatorade and Powerade aren’t good for treating dehydration. For more details on this topic, check out the full article on the website: ➡️ Timestamps: 0:00 Treat dehydration with something better than Gatorade or Powerade 1:30 Beet sugar is GMO with the residue of glyphosate 3:28 If you’re treating your dehydration or trying to hydrate yourself, choose these options Is Gatorade or Powerade better for dehydration? My answer: neither! Use something better. First blood sugar fasting hours I’ll explain the differences between 12-ounce bottles of these two products. They each contain 21 grams of sugar. One has sucrose and one high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). You’re probably thinking that HFCS is worse but the fact that they don’t tell you where the sugar comes from means it’s probably GMO beet sugar instead of sugar cane. It probably has residue of glyphosate. High fructose corn syrup also does because the corn is GMO. Sucrose is roughly half and half glucose and fructose. HFCS, interestingly, has less fructose than sucrose does. Fructose is more likely than glucose to create insulin resistance because it overloads the liver. Powerade has dextrose and modified food starch, which is another name for monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer. Both of these products contain only two electrolytes: potassium and sodium. But they contain only a fraction of the amount of the 4,700 mg of potassium your body needs each day. Powerade contains synthetic versions of B6, B3, and B12 vitamins. Gatorade has none. Which one is worse? They both are! They’re basically sugar water. If blood sugar level 102 before eating you’re trying to treat your dehydration or hydrate yourself, choose something with all the electrolytes and without all the sugars and hidden sugars. Sometimes you’ll hear that you need to replace the sugar your body uses from its glycogen reserve during exercise. The problem is if you tap your glycogen reserve you aren’t tapping into your fat reserve, which is probably why you’re exercising in the first place. Too much sugar causes you to get low blood sugar, feel tired, and have worse endurance - not what you want! For more information about electrolytes check out the video I linked below. And be sure to treat your dehydration with something better than Gatorade or Powerade. Dr Eric Berg DC Bio: Dr. Berg, age 55, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media. Follow us on FACEBOOK: fb.me/DrEricBerg ABOUT DR. BERG: Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation does stress cause your blood sugar to go up to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full-time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The Health & Wellness, Dr. Berg Nutritionals and Dr. Eric Berg, D.C. are not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services or product you obtain through this video or site. Thanks for watching!