EP #1155: Uncontrolled Blood Sugar? 4 Subtle Signs and What to Do Next

Lisa is joined by Ken Redcross, MD who talks about blood sugar.  

 Ken Redcross, MD, is author of, “Bond: The 4 Cornerstones of a Lasting and Caring Relationship with Your Doctor,” and founder of Redcross Concierge, a personalized medical practice designed to enhance the patient-doctor relationship while providing convenient access to a full spectrum of healthcare services and holistic and wellness counseling. As one of the first full-service concierge, personalized medical practices in the United States, Redcross’ patient portfolio includes C-level business executives, athletes and professionals in the entertainment industry, as well as individuals from all walks and stages of life including college students, young professionals, busy parents and retirees. His focus on developing the patient-doctor bond is a unique characteristic of his concierge services that allows for a more strategic and customized approach to each patient’s healthcare plan.
Blood sugar is an essential part of our overall well-being, but when it’s out of balance you could face serious health risks including diabetes, heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. Having too much sugar in the blood, known as hyperglycemia or high blood glucose, is a health risk often associated with diabetes. It occurs when your body has too little insulin (the hormone that transports glucose into the blood), or if your body can't use insulin properly. A fasting blood sugar level (glucose) greater than or equal to 126 is considered too high, but not everyone will recognize the warning signs, which could damage blood vessels that are responsible for delivering blood to vital organs such as your heart, kidneys and eyes.

Four easily missed warning signs that your blood sugar may be dangerously high:
   • Feeling Tired
       • Extra sugar (glucose) does not mean more energy.
       • The body is not able to use the excess sugar to fuel what your body needs for extra activity.
   • Increased Thirst 
       • The kidneys are unable to filter excess sugar in your blood and respond by attempting to remove it — which increases the amount of time/frequency you urinate and puts you at risk for dehydration.
       • Trips to the bathroom may not be related to prostate health
   • Extra Trips to the Bathroom
       • Trips to the bathroom may not be related to prostate health
   • Changes in Vision
       • Elevated glucose levels can lead to damage and blockage of the blood vessels that form behind the eye (retina).
       • The eye tries to create new blood vessels, but they don’t develop properly  and can lead to a risk of becoming blind.

Dr. Redcross will share three moves you can make to get high blood sugar under control including: 
   • Taking 2-min. stroll after dinner
       • Walking as little as two to five minutes after a meal can lower your blood sugar, according to a 2022 study in the journal Sports Medicine.
       • The study found standing after a meal can help, too, but not as much as putting one foot in front of the other.
   • Consuming certain herbs and spices
       • Traditional herbs and spices are commonly used for control of glucose.
       • Cinnamon is a spice that consists of the dried inner bark, and is brown in color and has a delicately fragrant aroma and a warm sweet flavor.
       • Research has shown that adding the spice cinnamon to the diet can help to lower the glucose level.
       • Berberine is an herbal supplement made from a chemical compound that naturally occurs in the roots and bark of a wide variety of plants such a