Introduction

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent—and costly—chronic conditions in the world today. Whether you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or are concerned about blood sugar issues, chances are you’ve been told to manage it with diet, exercise, and medications. But has anyone asked why your blood sugar is high in the first place?

At Sheen Vein & Cosmetics, we take a functional medicine approach to diabetes, aiming not just to manage the disease but to uncover and address the underlying causes of blood sugar imbalance. Our goal is to help you understand how your gut health, hormones, inflammation, lifestyle, and nutrition all influence your ability to regulate glucose—and how to reverse the trajectory of insulin resistance naturally and effectively.

What Is Functional Medicine—and How Is It Different?

Functional medicine is a systems-based, patient-centered approach that looks at the root causes of chronic disease instead of just masking symptoms. With diabetes, this means moving beyond blood sugar numbers and medications to understand the why behind the dysfunction.

Rather than asking “What drug for what symptom?” we ask:

• Why is this person insulin resistant?
• What is inflaming their metabolism?
• How can we restore the body’s ability to balance blood sugar naturally?

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

At its core, type 2 diabetes is a disease of insulin resistance. This means your cells have become less responsive to insulin—the hormone that ushers glucose into your cells for energy. As resistance builds, your body compensates by producing more insulin… until the system breaks down and blood sugar stays elevated.

Prediabetes is the stage where insulin resistance is present, but fasting glucose and A1C may still be within borderline or slightly elevated ranges. This is the critical window for intervention—and often the most reversible stage.

Root Causes of Blood Sugar Imbalance (Beyond Sugar and Carbs)

1. Chronic Inflammation

Inflammation damages insulin receptors and interferes with glucose transport into cells. It’s also a key driver of weight gain, fatigue, and cardiovascular risk.

What causes inflammation?

• Processed food and sugar
• Food sensitivities
• Leaky gut (intestinal permeability)
• Environmental toxins
• Chronic infections or stress

2. Gut Imbalances

Your gut microbiome plays a major role in blood sugar regulation and metabolism. Dysbiosis (imbalance between good and bad bacteria) has been linked to:

• Increased insulin resistance
• Weight gain
• Sugar cravings
• Low-grade inflammation

Healing the gut can significantly improve blood sugar control.

3. Poor Sleep and Circadian Disruption

One night of poor sleep can increase insulin resistance the next day. Lack of quality rest leads to:

• Elevated cortisol
• Increased cravings
• Slower metabolism
• Decreased insulin sensitivity

Sleep is a foundational pillar of blood sugar balance.

4. Hormonal Imbalance

Hormones like cortisol, thyroid hormone, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone directly affect blood sugar regulation. For example:

• Cortisol raises blood sugar in times of stress
• Low thyroid slows metabolism and worsens insulin resistance
• Low testosterone reduces muscle mass and insulin sensitivity

Diabetes can’t be solved without addressing hormone balance.

5. Nutrient Deficiencies

Micronutrients like magnesium, chromium, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin D are essential for glucose metabolism and insulin function. Deficiencies impair your body’s ability to:

• Burn glucose
• Regulate appetite
• Control inflammation

Functional Testing for Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health

Conventional medicine typically monitors:

• Fasting glucose
• Hemoglobin A1C

While useful, these don’t give the full picture.

In functional medicine, we test:

• Fasting insulin – an early marker of insulin resistance
• HOMA-IR score – calculates insulin resistance risk
• C-peptide – shows how much insulin your pancreas is making
• hs-CRP and homocysteine – markers of inflammation
• Nutrient panels – assess key vitamins and minerals
• Comprehensive stool testing – to evaluate microbiome and gut function
• Cortisol and hormone testing – to assess stress and endocrine function

These tests help create a personalized roadmap to restore metabolic health.

Top 5 Functional Strategies to Balance Blood Sugar Naturally

1. Eat to Balance Insulin and Inflammation

Focus on:

• Non-starchy vegetables (broccoli, greens, zucchini)
• Healthy fats (avocados, olive oil, nuts, seeds)
• Clean protein (wild fish, organic poultry, grass-fed beef)
• Low-glycemic fruits (berries, green apples)
• Anti-inflammatory herbs and spices (turmeric, cinnamon, ginger)

Limit:

• Added sugar and refined grains
• Artificial sweeteners
• Processed foods and trans fats
• Fried foods and fast food

💡 Tip: Eat protein and fiber first at meals to slow glucose absorption.

2. Move Daily—But Strategically

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, helps burn glucose, and reduces inflammation.

Aim for:

• Resistance training 2–3x/week to build muscle (improves glucose disposal)
• Walking after meals to lower post-meal blood sugar spikes
• High-intensity interval training (HIIT) if appropriate
• Daily movement like stretching, yoga, or light cardio

Even 10-minute walks can make a big impact on insulin function.

3. Reduce Stress and Reset Cortisol

Chronic stress = chronic blood sugar elevation.

To reset your stress response:

• Practice deep breathing or meditation for 5–10 minutes/day
• Try adaptogenic herbs like ashwagandha or rhodiola
• Improve sleep hygiene (dim lights at night, limit screens, set a bedtime)
• Prioritize connection, laughter, and joy—yes, they matter for your metabolism!

4. Optimize Gut Health

Start with:

• Removing food triggers (gluten, sugar, dairy if sensitive)
• Adding probiotic-rich foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir)
• Supporting digestion with digestive enzymes or apple cider vinegar
• Rebuilding with L-glutamine, zinc carnosine, and collagen if leaky gut is suspected

Healing the gut can lower systemic inflammation and improve insulin sensitivity.

5. Replenish Key Nutrients

Supplementation can help support your metabolic function while you work on lifestyle changes.

Common functional medicine supplements for blood sugar:

• Magnesium glycinate or citrate – 200–400 mg
• Berberine – a natural compound shown to reduce glucose and insulin resistance
• Alpha-lipoic acid – antioxidant that improves nerve and glucose function
• Chromium picolinate – supports insulin signaling
• Vitamin D – helps reduce inflammation and insulin resistance
• Cinnamon extract – supports glucose metabolism

Always test and work with a practitioner to determine what’s right for you.

Can Diabetes Be Reversed?

Yes—especially in the early stages.
Many people with prediabetes and even type 2 diabetes have reversed their condition through:

• Sustainable lifestyle change
• Targeted supplementation
• Gut and hormone support
• Functional medicine guidance

The sooner you act, the more resilient your metabolism will be.

Final Thoughts

Diabetes is more than a blood sugar problem—it’s a whole-body imbalance rooted in inflammation, hormone disruption, gut dysfunction, and lifestyle strain.

With functional medicine, we don’t just aim to “manage” diabetes—we help you reverse the damage, restore function, and reclaim your vitality. The body wants to heal—and with the right support, it can.

Ready to get to the root of your blood sugar issues? Schedule a functional medicine consultation today and start your personalized plan for reversing insulin resistance and restoring optimal health.

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