Diabetes and Imbalanced Hormones

“You don't know what people are really like until they're under a lot of stress” Tim Allen

The main cause of diabetes is the western diet–based on refined carbohydrates that rush sugar into the bloodstream, trans fatty acids that interfere with insulin receptors in the cells, and difficult-to-digest foods like pasteurized milk and modern soy foods that put a strain on the pancreas–but another cause of chronic high blood sugar levels, one that is often overlooked, is imbalanced hormones.

Under stress, the adrenal glands produce a lot of hormone adrenaline, an important stimulus for the production of glucagon, which raises blood sugar levels and allows the body to react with a “fight or flight” response.

Also, under continual chronic stress: the stress on the adult in the workplace, the stress on the student under pressure to perform, the stress on the child expected to conform to rigid guidelines or who has been sexually or emotionally abused, even the stress of a spiritual or religious outlook that assumes a clockwork universe results in constant outpourings of hormone cortisol resulting in converting glycogen in the liver into glucose to keep blood sugar levels high. If it not enough glycogen cortisol convert protein in the body into glycose to bring blood sugar up. The body then responds with increased production of insulin to bring blood sugar levels down.

Another cause of chronic high blood sugar levels is hypothyroidism. A condition in which metabolism is not stimulated enough to produce sufficient hormones and affects all the systems of the body to become slower.

When people have a hypothyroid the thyroid gland is unable to provide sufficient hormone amount for metabolic stimulations. For this reason, there is a slowing down of the system of the body. As this happens, the insulin production is affected greatly as the pancreas gets to function in a manner that is more leisurely. There is a slowing down of the pancreas and its capacity to derive energy from converted blood sugar.

Another reason for diabetes is fluctuations in hormone levels occur through the menstrual cycle and these fluctuations can affect blood sugar control. When estrogen levels are naturally high, your body may be resistant to its own insulin or injected insulin. Many women find their blood sugar tends to be high 3-5 days before, during or after their periods. Premenstrual symptoms (PMS) can be worsened by poor blood sugar control. It helps to chart your feelings such as tenderness, bloating, grouchiness for a week before, during and after your period. Food cravings during PMS are triggered by an increase in progesterone and can make it more difficult to control your blood sugar. Usually the craving is for chocolate or sweet foods.