What You Need to Know About Insulin and Hormonal Health
When most people think of insulin, they think about blood sugar and diabetes. But did you know that insulin also plays a crucial role in hormone health, energy levels, and even weight management? Are you feeling more tired than usual, struggling with cravings, or noticing weight gain around your middle? These are all signs that your insulin might be out of balance. Insulin is a key hormone that affects everything from your metabolism to your energy levels. Here’s how to tell if your insulin levels need attention—and what you can do about it.
For individuals going through perimenopause and menopause, insulin imbalances can contribute to stubborn weight gain, fatigue, and hormone-related symptoms. High insulin levels can disrupt your period by interfering with ovulation, often leading to irregular or missed cycles. Elevated insulin also increases androgen production, which can further imbalance reproductive hormones and cause menstrual irregularities.
What is Insulin and Why Is It Important?
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing your cells to use glucose (sugar) for energy. When insulin is working well, your body maintains stable blood sugar levels, giving you steady energy. However, if your cells become resistant to insulin (a condition known as insulin resistance), your body has to produce more insulin, which can lead to:
Increased belly fat - If you’re gaining weight around your abdomen despite no significant changes in diet or exercise, this could be a sign of insulin resistance. High insulin levels cause your body to store more fat, particularly in the belly area.
Low energy or fatigue - Feeling sluggish throughout the day, especially after meals? Imbalanced insulin can prevent your cells from properly utilizing glucose, leaving you feeling tired.
Brain fog - If you’re experiencing difficulty concentrating or remembering things, this could be linked to insulin resistance and blood sugar imbalances.
Cravings for sugar or carbs - Do you find yourself constantly craving carbs or sweets? When insulin is imbalanced, it can lead to frequent hunger and strong cravings, even after eating.
Hormonal imbalances - For individuals going through menopause, insulin resistance can exacerbate symptoms like hot flashes, irritability, and weight gain. Regulating insulin is key to balancing overall hormone health.
Irregular periods or worsened menopause symptoms
Higher risk for Type 2 diabetes
How to Balance Insulin Naturally
Balanced Meals: Focus on meals rich in fiber, healthy fats, and lean proteins to keep blood sugar steady.
Exercise Regularly: Movement, particularly strength training or interval workouts, helps improve insulin sensitivity.
Stress Management: High stress increases cortisol, which in turn can disrupt insulin regulation.
Adequate Sleep: Poor sleep can raise insulin resistance, so aim for 7-9 hours per night.
Want to learn more? Join me for my FREE webinar on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 7:00PM (CST) or Sunday, October 27, 2024 at 2:00PM (CST) where I’ll be teaching natural ways to stabilize insulin and improve your energy, manage weight, and support hormone health.
Register at:
Thursday: https://bit.ly/ThursdayHormoneHierarchy
Sunday: https://bit.ly/SundayHormoneHierarchy
Don’t miss this opportunity to take control of your insulin and hormone health—sign up for my free webinar today!
