Overlooked Diabetes Risk Drives Up Blood Sugar
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 17, 2023
If you’re concerned about diabetes, you’ve probably done your research.
You likely focused on all the common problem areas to ward off rising blood sugar: the grocery store… the gym… and the bathroom scale.
And those ARE all great places to start!
Eating better, exercising, and losing weight can go a long way toward bringing your numbers under control.
But most folks miss one other critical problem area that can send your blood sugar soaring.
In your quest to head off diabetes, you’ve probably never considered the role your bedroom could play.
But the truth is it could hold the key to FINALLY getting your blood sugar under control.
Let me explain…
Recently Australian researchers asked over 1,000 adults about their sleep habits. They found that folks who had trouble sleeping were MUCH more likely to have a higher body mass, increased inflammation, and elevated cholesterol levels.
And those three metabolic-linked issues are typically a red flag for poor blood sugar control.
But according to the new study it’s not just sleep duration (how long you sleep) that’s an issue.
How regular your sleep habits are and how SOUNDLY you sleep (sleep quality) are every bit as critical.
So go ahead and keep up with the healthy eating, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight. But add in getting quality sleep too.
If you find yourself struggling to get good sleep, my Better-Sleep Protocol can help:
- Exercise is one of the best paths to a good night’s sleep. When your body is physically tired, your mind has no choice but to give in. Find an exercise you love to do to stay motivated. And increase how much you exercise when you feel stressed.
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon. This means skipping coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks.
- Cut back on alcohol which leads to light and easily disturbed sleep.
- Sleeping alone is an option for folks accidentally woken up by their partner. A spouse who snores or is restless at night can disturb your sleep. The National Sleep Foundation found nearly 25 percent of couples sleep in separate beds. So you’d be in good company.
- Calming herbs such as hops, passionflower, lemon balm, chamomile, and valerian help relax the body and mind promoting restful sleep.
- Theanine is an amino acid in green tea that helps people feel calm. A caffeine-free green tea before bed could help if you’re battling anxiety or stress.
- Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Taking a supplement can help reset your circadian rhythms, promoting better sleep.
Sleep plays a critical role in good blood sugar control. Make quality rest a priority to help reduce your diabetes risk.
P.S. Recent research has revealed coffee can SLASH your diabetes risk. But there’s one small catch. To get those diabetes-fighting benefits, it has to be the RIGHT kind of coffee. CLICK HERE for the scoop.
Source:
“Multidimensional Sleep and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes: Examining Self-Report and Objective Dimensions of Sleep” 2 November 2022, The Science of Diabetes Self-Management and Care. DOI: 10.1177/26350106221137896
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...
Let It Go—The Unexpected Freedom of “Fart Walks”
Ever notice your walk sometimes comes with some, well… unexpected sound effects? One step, two step, POOT! There’s a perfectly reasonable explanation for this natural phenomenon. Passing gas on your daily stroll is totally normal—and it means your digestive system is working well. Here’s what’s happening… Walking and other physical activities stimulate your digestive tract,...
Common Antidepressants Linked to Silent Brain Damage
If you’re among the millions taking prescription antidepressants, I have some concerning news. A major study has uncovered a disturbing link between common antidepressants and a growing brain problem. And if you’re taking an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), you may find yourself in the crosshairs. Swedish researchers recently uncovered this troubling connection. They found...