What Causes High Blood Sugar?
Several factors can be detrimental to blood sugar health:
- Obesity
- Insufficient physical exercise
- Eating foods that are:
- High in sugar
- High in calories
- Highly processed
- In large portions
Risk Factors
Stress can also contribute to poor blood sugar health. High stress can raise cortisol levels, leading to insulin resistance. This can increase blood sugar levels and raise the risk of diabetes and other health problems. Elevated blood sugar levels also increase inflammation throughout the body which may lead to or cause additional health problems.
The Risks of High Blood Sugar
High blood sugar levels can be dangerous, and may lead to serious issues including:
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Nerve damage
- Vision problems
- High blood pressure
As you may already know, the most common result of high blood sugar is Diabetes. According to the CDC, about 38 million Americans have diabetes as of 2024. Diabetes is now the 8th leading cause of death in the United States. As of 2021, over 100,000 deaths per year list diabetes as the underlying cause.
In addition, nearly 100 million Americans are pre-diabetic, which is nearly one in every three adults. Diabetes may lower life expectancy by 10 to 20 years. It is tragic that so many people suffer from issues related to blood sugar health since most of these issues may be managed or preventable if dealt with properly.
Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) form when our sugar levels are too high. Elevated sugar levels cause AGEs to form and deposit in different areas throughout the body, leading to damage. Fried, grilled, or processed foods may also contribute to increased AGEs within the body. Reducing AGEs is an important step we can take for a healthier lifestyle.
The good news is that there are many ways to take action and lower blood sugar levels naturally!
Essential Diet Tips for Blood Sugar Health
A great place to start when managing blood sugar health is a healthy diet! Select lean proteins, healthy vegetables, and aim for reduced calorie intake. These can all help lower blood sugar levels.
Removing processed foods can greatly improve blood sugar health. These foods can be high in sugar, fat, and chemicals, so there are many benefits to cutting them out of your diet. Try not to over-consume foods that can be detrimental to blood sugar health, such as:
- Sugary sodas and drinks
- Fast foods with high fats
- Ice cream
- Cakes
- Cookies
- Candy
Eating rich foods that are high in calories, sugars, and starches can all increase blood sugar levels. This can increase body weight, risks of heart issues, and inflammation.
If you are having difficulty managing your diet, speak to a nutritionist or healthcare professional for additional information.
Don't Forget to Exercise!
Exercise allows us to increase metabolic function, increase muscle mass and reduce blood sugar levels. With exercise, maintaining a routine is important, so you should complete healthy exercise daily if possible.
Exercise, whether it’s weight training, walking, biking, or playing sports, is vital to blood sugar health. It also builds lean muscle, supports your heart, and improves your overall well-being.
Ease Your Stress
While exercise is crucial to your health and wellness, naturally managing stress levels is also important. High stress raises cortisol, leading to insulin resistance and higher sugar levels. This can disrupt metabolism, slow us down, and result in unwanted weight gain.
On top of that, stress eating unhealthy foods can feed into this cycle. Taking time to practice meditation, yoga, or any other healthy activity that can reduce stress levels may be a huge benefit to blood sugar health!
We are proud to offer several quality products with benefits to blood sugar support!
Here are a few of our favorite Stallop Formulas® products for blood sugar health:
† 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.
