Why Blood Sugar Regulation Is the First Thing I Focus on with Clients
When new clients come to see me, they often have a long list of symptoms and areas they want to improve. It can feel overwhelming — and honestly, trying to tackle everything at once usually isn't realistic or sustainable. That’s why I start with what has the biggest ripple effect throughout the body: blood sugar regulation.
If your blood sugar is out of balance, it's incredibly hard to make progress in other areas. Balanced blood sugar underpins so many systems — hormones, the nervous system, immune function, energy production, inflammation, and of course, metabolism.
How I Assess Blood Sugar Balance
One of the first things I do is explore whether your blood sugar levels are well-regulated. I usually start with a few simple but powerful questions:
· Do you experience noticeable energy slumps during the day — like that mid-afternoon crash?
· Do you feel ravenous, shaky, or irritable if you haven’t eaten in a while?
· How do you feel after eating — energized and focused, or sluggish and heavy?
Then, we look at your typical eating habits. Walking through a “what I eat in a day” gives us insight into whether your meals might be spiking or crashing your blood sugar — and what small shifts could help.
Why Blood Sugar Regulation Comes First
Here’s why I prioritise blood sugar regulation before diving into other areas:
1. Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Fatigue, Cognitive Decline & Cardiovascular Issues
Consistent high blood sugar can damage mitochondria — the tiny powerhouses in your cells responsible for energy production. When mitochondria aren't functioning well, it affects everything from your mental clarity and stamina to heart health.
2. Impaired Immune Function
Unstable blood sugar weakens your immune response by impairing neutrophils and macrophages (your first line of defence). This can leave you more vulnerable to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Plus, elevated blood sugar drives systemic inflammation, further stressing the body.
3. Cortisol & Adrenal Health
When blood sugar is unstable, your body often releases more cortisol (your main stress hormone) as a response. Over time, this can lead to poor sleep, increased anxiety, and ongoing fatigue, as your adrenal glands become overworked.
4. Female Hormones
Unbalanced blood sugar can affect how your body processes oestrogen and progesterone, two key female hormones. It can also lead to higher testosterone levels, which may cause issues like irregular periods and acne.
5. Cholesterol Imbalance – a common issue I see in clinic
Blood sugar issues often go hand-in-hand with disrupted cholesterol levels: higher triglycerides, lower HDL ("good" cholesterol), elevated LDL ("bad" cholesterol), and increased visceral fat — which is not only inflammatory but also worsens metabolic health.
Want to Know If Your Blood Sugar Is Balanced? Try These Two Experiments/Tests:
✅ Continuous Glucose Monitor
This is one of my favourite tools. It tracks your glucose levels in real time over two weeks, showing exactly how your body responds to different foods, stressors, sleep, and exercise. It’s highly personalised and can reveal surprising patterns — even with so-called “healthy” foods.
✅ Blood Tests: Fasting Glucose & Insulin
These two simple tests can tell you a lot about your metabolic health and insulin sensitivity. They’re especially helpful if you’re unsure whether insulin resistance is occurring, or if your HbA1c is slightly elevated and you want to investigate further.
Starting with blood sugar isn’t just about avoiding diabetes — it’s about laying a strong foundation for everything else in your health journey. When this system is running smoothly, everything else becomes easier to support.
