x
Account
  • Sign In Sign In Create Account
    Sign In

    Forgot your password?

    Create Account
  • my Wishlist
  • Toll Free: (800) 869 9159
  • Customer Care
    • Contact Us
    • Help Center
  • My Account
    • Log in
    • Create an account
  • Rewards Program
  • Become a Humanized+ Member
  • Become a Humanized+ Member

Cart 0

Your cart is currently empty.

Continue Shopping

Total: $0.00

Or View Cart

  • Sign In Sign In Create Account
    Sign In

    Forgot your password?

    Create Account
  • my Wishlist
My Village Green
My Village Green

FREE SHIPPING! On online orders of $74+. Use code: SHIP74
This offer is for standard shipping available in the continental U.S.
Cannot be combined with any other offers.

  • My Account Log In
  • Brands
    Practitioner Brands
    • Pathway
    • Sinus Survival
    • Klaire Labs*
    • Kirkman
    • Metagenics
    • Nordic Naturals
    • Pure Encapsulations*
    • Thorne Research
    • Xymogen
    Top Brands
    • Megafood
    • Jarrow Formulas
    • Solgar
    • Nature's Way
    • Garden of Life
    • Life Extension
    • Bluebonnet
    • Derma E
    • Innate Response
    • Ollois
    Top Brands
    • Gaia Herbs
    • Herb Pharm
    • Boiron
    • Host Defense
    • Inika Organic
    • Carlson Labs
    • Enzymedica
    • Solaray
    • Renew Life

    * = Restricted Access Brands

  • Pathway Supplements
  • Categories
  • Consultations
  • Resources
    • Lab Testing
    • Rewards Program
    • Ask the Expert
    • Help Center
    • Pharmacy & Compounding
    • Medication Disposal Progam
    • Healthy Pets
    • Green Initiatives
    • Practitioner Brands
    • My Account
    • Create an Account
  • Education
    • Blog
    • Humanized - Your Health Personalized
    • Articles & Health Info
    • Radio Show Archive
Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts

Blog

How Dietary Sugar Affects Insulin and Longevity

Posted on May 10, 2022 by Teri Cochrane

Dietary sugar affects glucose levels and can contribute to insulin resistance.

Longevity isn’t a chess game – it’s a balance beam.

Maximizing our health over the course of our lifetime isn’t always about making calculated or dramatic moves, but rather the poise with which we can maintain an equilibrium. The deadliest disease states in the U.S. include heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes, with over 1.5 million Americans affected yearly. Every single one of these diseases is innately linked to metabolic health.

Metabolism is defined as “the chemical processes that occur within a living organism in order to maintain life.” Though this definition may seem broad, it strikes at a core principle of my methodology – maintenance, or ‘balance.' If we cannot manage the key functions that keep our bodies in a balanced state – like circulation, breathing, digestion, detoxification and, vitally, blood sugar – we lose our grip on our own health.

Insulin is one of the key players that keeps us on track for longevity. According to one endocrinologist’s study, “preserved insulin sensitivity has been associated with longevity [while] insulin resistance has been shown to predict the development of age-related diseases, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, cancer, and type 2 diabetes."

As the hormone responsible for ushering glucose into our cells, the ability to both synthesize and utilize insulin is essential for managing the energy supply to our muscles, organs and brain. Disrupted insulin results in a landslide of correlated stress on the body – from fatigue, to mounting hormonal imbalances, to cognitive decline and disease.

Sugar is Innately Linked to These Diseases

Studies have linked diets high in sugar to:

  • PCOS
  • Cancer
  • Heart disease
  • Alzheimer’s
  • Non-alcohol fatty liver disease
  • Thyroid disease

Each of these disease states have a key hormone in common: insulin.

When we eat, sugars and carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and released into the bloodstream. Insulin is then released by the pancreas in response to rising blood glucose levels. In a healthy body, sufficient insulin is released and allows glucose to enter our cells to be used as energy, and blood sugar is stabilized. In a body that doesn’t produce adequate insulin, such as in diabetic models, blood sugar levels become unmanageable, leading to metabolic complications.

Dietary sugar is, of course, a major player in this process. When we eat a diet that is high in sugar, we can develop what is known as insulin resistance, meaning that both insulin and glucose are unable to enter our cells. As a result, we’re left with dangerously high blood sugar and a bunch of insulin floating around our bloodstream.

This can leave us feeling nauseous, fatigued, and low-energy – and in the long term, may develop into any one of the disease states mentioned above.

Some Solutions for Dietary Sugar Intake

    Limit dietary sugars

    Try to limit your dietary sugars by excluding all refined sugars, such as white sugar, brown sugar, high fructose corn syrup or anything listed as ‘sugar.' Some natural sources like fruit, honey or pure maple syrup are okay to eat sparingly.

    Replace simple carbs

    Replace simple carbs with complex ones like wild rice, black rice, millet or quinoa. The more fiber a carbohydrate has, the longer it will take the body to break down, avoiding a sudden sugar spike.

    Increase protein

    Increase your protein intake by eating wild and complimenting natural sugars with protein powders. For example, that bowl of oatmeal or fruit smoothie in the morning will provide much better balance if there is a scoop of marine collagen, pumpkin seed protein or whey protein added.

    • blood sugar, Category_Health Concerns, diabetes, glucose, insulin, longevity, sugar
    ← Older Post Newer Post →

    Categories

    • Body Care & Beauty
    • Diet
    • Exercise
    • Green Living
    • Health Concerns
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Lab Testing
    • Nutritional Supplements
    • Pharmacy & Compounding
    • Stress Management & Lifestyle
    • Village Green News

    Humanized Health - NEW!

    Learn about personalized health from top experts! Check out our fascinating new shows every week, available as videos, podcasts and transcripts.:

    • How to Never Die of Heart Disease
    • Strategies to Improve Your Brain Health

    Our Bloggers

    • Paula Gallagher
      Paula Gallagher
      Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
      read more..
    • Margo Gladding
      Margo Gladding
      Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
      read more..
    • Dr. Neal Barnard
      Dr. Neal Barnard
      Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
      read more..
    • Joseph Pizzorno
      Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
      Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
      read more..
    • Debi Silber
      Debi Silber
      Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
      read more..
    • Teri Cochrane
      Teri Cochrane
      Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
      read more..
    • Dr. Rav Ivker
      Dr. Rav Ivker
      Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
      read more..
    • Susan Levin
      Susan Levin
      Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
      read more..
    • Rob Brown
      Dr. Rob Brown
      Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
      read more..

    Other Contributors

    Caroline Blazovsky
    Heather Gunn
    Jared Rice
    Ellen Kittredge
    Naz Amini
    Carmen Ugas
    Steve Stillwater
    Farzin Farid
    Joe Ailts
    Scott O’Dell
    James Brodsky, MD
    Christine M. Gonzales
    Beth Ritchie
    Jim Fox

    Invalid password
    Enter
    Stay Informed
    Join our mailing list for the latest news & exclusive discounts + FREE shipping on your first order.
    Learning Resources
    • Consultations
    • Green Initiatives
    • Pharmacy/Compounding
    • Humanized Health
    • Village Green Blog
    Customer Care
    • Help Center
    • Return Policy
    • Best Price Guarantee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Leave a Review
    General Information
    • Curbside Pick-Up
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Job Opportunities
    stay connected

    Village Green Apothecary
    5415 W Cedar Ln
    Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
    (301) 530-0800
    Toll Free: (800) 869-9159

    © 2021 Village Green Apothecary - All Rights Reserved. The information provided on this site is not intended to be a substitute for advice or treatment from a qualified physician, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Consult your physician prior to starting any new health program or if you any questions regarding a medical condition.
    Loading...
    Error
     

    is added to your shopping cart.

    is added to your wish list.

    Close
    Liquid error (message-modal line 32): Could not find asset snippets/icon-close.liquid
    You have successfully subscribed!

     

    Limited-Time Offers, End in

    -
    +
    :
    Close
    Back to top