Post Time: 2025-07-26
When it comes to blood sugar levels, most people are aware that high levels can be problematic. However, low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is just as serious and requires prompt attention. A level of 12 mg/dL is considered severely low and may require medical intervention.
Severe hypoglycemia can lead to seizures, coma, or even death if left untreated. At this stage, the body's glucose levels are critically depleted, causing an insufficient supply of energy for vital organs. Symptoms include dizziness, confusion, weakness, tremors, sweating, and palpitations. If you experience any of these symptoms at a blood sugar level of 12 mg/dL or lower.
Dietary Factors That Influence Blood Sugar Levels
A well-balanced diet plays a crucial role in maintaining stable blood sugar levels. Certain foods are known to either raise or lower glucose levels in the body, and understanding their impact is essential for those with diabetes. Foods high on the glycemic index (GI), such as white bread, pasta, and baked potatoes, can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar due to their high carbohydrate content.
On the other hand, fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes tend to have a lower GI value and take longer for the body to digest. This helps slow down glucose release into the bloodstream. Regular consumption of these low-GI foods can help stabilize blood sugar levels over time.
How Exercise Affects Blood Sugar Levels
Regular physical activity is essential not only for maintaining good health but also in managing diabetes. When you exercise, your muscles use up more energy than usual, which stimulates your body to release glucose from stored sources into the bloodstream. At first glance, it might seem counterintuitive that exercising can actually increase blood sugar levels.
However, if done consistently and at a moderate intensity over time (aerobic activities like jogging or cycling), regular exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity – an important factor for effective glucose regulation in those with diabetes.
The Role of Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin sensitivity refers to how responsive your body is to the presence of insulin. In healthy individuals, cells readily take up glucose from the bloodstream when insulin levels are high and can effectively clear excess blood sugar when insulin decreases after a meal or between meals. However, in those with type 2 diabetes (and often type 1), chronic hyperinsulinemia develops.
As your body produces more and more insulin but becomes increasingly resistant to it, cells grow less responsive over time, impairing glucose uptake from the bloodstream. This phenomenon affects up to two-thirds of adults diagnosed with pre-diabetes or those at risk for developing diabetes by contributing significantly towards impaired blood sugar regulation.
Why Maintaining a Stable Blood Sugar Range Is Crucial
Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is critical because fluctuations can lead to chronic complications and put you at an increased risk of health problems, including cardiovascular disease (heart attacks/strokes), kidney damage/diabetes-related nerve disorders like foot ulcers or amputations in more severe cases.
It might be tempting to rely solely on medication management for those with type 1 diabetes; however, the majority – around 90% – have developed their insulin resistance through factors within reach: diet and lifestyle modifications offer hope as first line treatments that require no side effects or medical equipment beyond self-measured blood glucose meter (SMBG).
Insulin resistance is incredibly common for people with PCOS. It is behind many of the symptoms and may even be a part of how PCOS develops. So managing it is incredibly important. Watch this video to learn more about what insulin resistance is, how it affects people with PCOS, and how to manage it. Enjoy! __________ RESOURCES, LINKS, AND TIMESTAMPS What percentage of people with PCOS have insulin resistance? - 00:52 What is insulin resistance? - 01:14 How is insulin resistance diagnosed? - 04:48 Nutrition: Food & Supplements for Insulin Resistance & PCOS - 06:14 Theralogix Ovasitol Use PRC Code: 100368 for $10 off a 3 Month Supply Rest: Sleep & Stress Management for Insulin Resistance & PCOS - 09:00 Movement: does menopause cause high blood sugar Physical Activity for Insulin Resistance & PCOS - 12:46 Yoga for PCOS Playlist Medication for Insulin Resistance & PCOS - 13:35 __________ If you found this video helpful, here are some ways you can support this channel: - share this video and channel with your healthcare providers, friends, and family. - like this video (a simple thumbs up works wonders!) - leave a comment below. - subscribe to my channel and turn on your notifications. - mmol l blood sugar make a small donation here: Thanks for your support! __________ 🧘🏾♀️ Support your fertility and optimize your overall well-being with full-length fertility yoga classes, journaling, and a blood sugar reading over 300 virtual mini-retreat👇🏾 ⠀ 📧 Sign up for my newsletter for exclusive updates, resources, and opportunities👇🏾livefertile.com/newsletter-sign-up __________ Social Media Pinterest: Facebook: Instagram: __________ Blog: __________ DISCLAIMER Kendra Tolbert, MS, RDN, RYT recommends chatting with your health care team before making changes to your lifestyle. The information shared here is for educational and informational purposes only. This description includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything using the links, I’ll receive a small commission, which allows me to continue to create and share helpful content at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support! #pcos #insulinresistance #nutritionforpcos