Judy-Balan on Ultrahuman Blog

Menopause and blood sugar explained

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 19:45:19 +0000

Glucose is the fuel that the human body runs on. While glucose metabolism is influenced by a number of genetic and environmental factors, growing evidence suggests that hormonal changes during menopause can throw blood sugar levels out of whack.

We examine what menopause is, the changes the body undergoes, and how that can affect hypoglycemia and blood glucose levels.

Highlights

Falling estrogen levels during menopause can lead to insulin resistance and higher blood sugar.
Visceral fat gain and early menopause both raise the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Diet, exercise, stress management, and hydration help stabilize glucose levels.

What is menopause?

Menopause marks the end of the menstrual cycle and a woman’s reproductive years. A person officially enters menopause when they’ve not had a menstrual period for a year.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Metabolic Health

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 18:39:00 +0000

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), or myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), is a complex health condition that affects multiple body systems and bodily functions. CFS is difficult to diagnose, given that symptoms vary widely. However, extreme fatigue that interferes with proper day-to-day functioning, pain, sensitivity, and a general sense of feeling unwell are distinguishing features .

Previously, this was considered a controversial diagnosis because of the lack of clarity on its causes. Even though CFS is widely accepted as a biological illness, there continues to be a lack of proper understanding of the condition. This is attributed to varying clinical diagnostic definitions, a wide range of presenting symptoms, no single underlying cause, and the absence of a laboratory test for diagnosis.

9 Ways To Encourage Your Kid To Eat Healthy

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:04:00 +0000

Do you see Instagram posts about kids who eat healthy and wonder if they can’t possibly be true? Do those parents have some superpowers or are they just more capable than the rest of us? You aren’t alone in feeling inadequate in such moments! Fixing your kid a nutritious meal after a full day’s work and then staying strong through dinner-time tantrums can be exhausting. But fret not. We’ve got some tips on how you can encourage your kids to eat healthy without becoming the villain. But first, let’s look at what constitutes a healthy, wholesome meal for kids.

How To Stop Feeling Guilty About Food

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 12:11:00 +0000

When was the last time you ate something you weren’t “supposed” to? Were you able to shrug it off and get on with your day or did you beat yourself up about it? Maybe you even proceeded to “make up for it” by performing penitential crunches at the gym, avoiding an entire food group for a week or, at the very least, fat-shaming yourself till the stress of it all made you give in to more indulgent foods, starting a whole new cycle of self-loathing.

Ways To Maintain Your Metabolism As You Age

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 12:00:00 +0000

We’ve all been warned that the supple metabolism we enjoy in our youth will eventually slow down as we age, so it’s no surprise that in our mid-thirties, even the least conscious among us are likely to start furiously tracking calories and taking our fitness regimens up a notch. But what is the relationship between ageing and metabolism? What does the research say? And finally, how can we maintain our metabolisms in concurrence with this perfectly natural biological process?

6 Intriguing Facts About The Love Hormone

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 11:25:00 +0000

Oxytocin, popularly known as the love hormone, cuddle hormone and attachment hormone, is what we release when we express affection for another person through touch, hugs, kisses or sex.

The more oxytocin we release, the stronger and more lasting the attachment. This goes beyond human relationships to include the bond we share with our animals. Every time you pet or lovingly gaze into your dog’s eyes, your oxytocin levels shoot up. Animals pick up on the outward signs of this change and this deepens your bond with them.

How CGM Can Be Your Weight Loss Biohack

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 13:01:00 +0000

Whether we’re conscious of it or not, we’ve all subscribed to diet culture’s repeatedly reinforced notion that furious calorie-counting, step-tracking and switching from one fad diet to the next is the way to fat-burning and killer abs. But we’re here to ruin the get-thin-quick party with science: the human body is a lot more complex than that, and healthy weight loss involves a deeper understanding of how hormonal and biochemical pathways factor into weight loss and weight gain in the body. Let’s take a closer look at how the body maintains a balance of energy and how it all ties into weight loss before we get to what does work and how continuous glucose monitoring fits into this puzzle.

The beginner’s guide to insulin resistance and prediabetes

Thu, 07 Apr 2022 12:14:00 +0000

If you’ve ever come across the terms insulin resistance and prediabetes, and you’re wondering what they are, or how the two are connected, you’re on the right page. We’ll be taking a deep dive into what both concepts mean and will break down everything from the causes, risk factors and symptoms for prediabetes and type-2 diabetes as well as their diagnosis. But first let’s understand what insulin resistance is.

Blood Sugar Control: How to follow the Mediterranean Diet

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 16:37:00 +0000

The Mediterranean diet gained ground in the 1950s when it was observed that heart disease was not as prevalent in Mediterranean countries. When it comes to blood-sugar-friendly lifestyle changes and heart health, the Mediterranean diet is all the rage. Let’s look at what makes it uniquely beneficial for blood sugar control and how you can work your dietary plan around it in conjunction with your health professional/nutritionist.

What is the Mediterranean diet?

The Mediterranean diet is a broad term for the traditional eating patterns of people in Greece, Italy and Spain—countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea—and has long been studied for its health benefits (1). However, the Mediterranean diet encompasses within its ambit not merely ingredients but also the processes involved in obtaining, cooking and consuming the foods themselves, as well as the adoption of lifestyle changes such as consuming alcohol in moderation, refraining from smoking and being physically active (2). As Caroline West Passerrello, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Chicago, sums it up: ‘A Mediterranean diet is greater than just the foods and is really a way of life.’ (2) It’s a diet rich in plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, herbs, spices and nuts as well as seafood. Olive oil is considered the dominant source of added fat.

The Role of Gratitude in Mental Health

Wed, 01 Dec 2021 11:44:00 +0000

Rewiring the brain: The Role of Gratitude in Mental Health

To most of us, the word ‘gratitude’ may sound empty and wrung out from overuse, thanks to celebrities and self-help gurus who have watered it down to a hashtag. But is there actual science behind the practice of gratitude and its impact on mental health? Let’s refresh our understanding of the word through a psychological lens before we get to the research.

Cinnamon and Blood Glucose Levels

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 17:50:00 +0000

When it comes to herbs and spices like cinnamon, the internet can get feverish with dietary recommendations. But what does the research say? Would adding cinnamon to your diet have an impact on your blood glucose levels? Let’s take a look.

How does the body process blood glucose?

Glucose is also known as blood sugar . Our body depends on glucose to keep its mechanisms functioning efficiently, giving us the energy to go about our day-to-day activities. Our glucose levels often go unnoticed when they are at their ideal levels. However, when they stray from recommended boundaries, our normal functioning is affected. Glucose is a simple sugar, making it a monosaccharide, a subcategory of carbohydrates. It consists of only one sugar. In addition to fat, glucose is the preferred source of fuel for the body, in the form of carbohydrates. Bread, fruits, vegetables and milk are good sources of glucose. There is a complex system in place for keeping glucose within a healthy range, metabolising it into fuel or storing it for later use. Insulin plays a crucial role in this process.