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Functional MedicineHormones

Blood Sugar and hormone balance

By August 15, 2024No Comments

Blood sugar imbalances can indeed lead to hormone imbalances. Here are some ways in which this interaction occurs:

  1. **Insulin and Sex Hormones**: High insulin levels, often resulting from insulin resistance, can impact the balance of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. For example, elevated insulin can lead to increased testosterone production by the ovaries, which may cause symptoms such as facial hair and acne in women. Additionally, high insulin levels can reduce sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), leading to increased levels of free estrogen and contributing to conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) [3][5].

  1. **Estrogen and Blood Sugar**: Changes in estrogen levels can affect blood sugar regulation. For instance, fluctuations in estrogen can cause variations in blood sugar levels, potentially leading to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. This is particularly relevant during menopause or in conditions like PCOS, where estrogen levels are imbalanced [2][5].

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  1. **Cortisol and Blood Sugar**: Cortisol, a stress hormone, can increase blood sugar levels by promoting gluconeogenesis in the liver and reducing insulin sensitivity. Chronic stress and elevated cortisol levels can exacerbate insulin resistance, contributing to a cycle of hormonal imbalance and blood sugar dysregulation [4].

  1. **Impact of Excess Sugar**: High sugar intake can lead to insulin spikes, which may trigger a “perfect storm” of hormonal imbalances. This can result in increased production of estrogen and testosterone, further disrupting hormonal balance and potentially leading to symptoms like mood swings and fatigue [5].

 

Overall, managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes can help mitigate these hormonal imbalances and improve overall health.

 

Citations:

[1] https://www.edgepark.com/healthinsights/diabetes-management/navigating-life-with-a-hormone-imbalance-and-diabetes/

[2] https://matthewsmd.com/news/are-diabetes-and-hormonal-imbalances-linked/

[3] https://hormonewellnessmd.com/womens-health/blood-sugar

[4] https://sahyadrihospital.com/blog/diabetes-and-hormone-imbalance-are-they-linked/