Ep. 028 - Blood Sugar 101: Hope for Reversing Pre- & Type II Diabetes

Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast

In this episode of The Nutritional Therapy and Wellness Podcast, host Jamie Belz and guest Amanda Jones dive into the fascinating science of blood sugar regulation and how its imbalance impacts the body. They explore how prediabetes and type II diabetes—like many chronic diseases—can often be reversed through strategic diet and lifestyle changes. Discover how achieving balanced blood sugar not only improves energy and vitality but also reduces or eliminates many associated health risks altogether.

Amanda Jones is a dedicated instructor with the Nutritional Therapy Association (NTA) and an experienced Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner since 2013. In addition to being an FNTP, Amanda holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, a bachelors degree in communications, she's a certified ADAPT Functional Health Coach, a certified GAPS Practitioner and a licensed massage therapist.

2:55 Diabetes, pre-diabetes, insulin - Blood Sugar 101

4:00 Why blood sugar regulation matters

4:45 Blood sugar regulation impacts everything in the entire body - nothing is NOT impacted

5:20 Current statistics for the prevalence of diabetes and pre-diabetes

6:50 Subclinical blood dysregulation - insulin resistance (PRE-PRE-DIABETES)

7:50 Reversing the pathway toward diabetes

10:45 How blood sugar dysregulation impacts the cardiovascular system - cardio-metabolic disease

11:50 Atherosclerosis as a result of blood sugar dysregulation

13:54 Glucose conversion to body fat

14:22 Blood lipids - triglycerides - hyperlipidemia

14:37 Why SUGAR is contributing to obesity rather than fats - as well as circulating lipids -

15:33 How elevated blood sugar drives elevated blood pressure and high blood pressure

16:20 How high insulin levels inhibit the production of nitric oxide levels

18:00 Immune regulation and meta-inflammation - inflammation driven by metabolic problems

19:30 Endocrine disruption from blood sugar dysregulation

21:10 Changes to the nervous system, gut motility, our microbiome, and other things negatively impacted by blood sugar dysregulation

21:40 The stages of dysglycemia

22:37 Insulin is a GOOD hormone! - What it's supposed to do in the body - how it brings sugar into the cells - how energy is produced

24:33 Excess glucose and insulin - reactive hypoglycemia

25:00 The Blood Sugar Rollercoaster - why you're tired at 10:30 AM, 2:30 PM, 8:00 PM

27:02 Insulin resistance

28:12 Fasting Glucose Levels - lab testing - Fasting Insulin Levels

30:20 The progression continues - feeling lethargic, gaining weight, etc.

30:30 Pre-Diabetes diagnosis

31:00 A1C - glycation

31:41 Metabolic Syndrome

32:40 Pancreas damage - insulin injections

33:04 Six small meals per day versus fasting

37:30 Fasting and time-restricted eating

38:09 Our blood sugar is synced with our circadian rhythms

39:58 Walking after meals versus other workouts for blood sugar regulation

41:46 There is HOPE! This doesn't need to be a miserable process. YOU can do it and you can enjoy it!

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Catch Episode 29 to learn quick tips for improving blood sugar regulation for optimal health.

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