What's Driving Our Poor Health?
- janlindquist
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
Have you ever wondered; Why am I feeling this way? Maybe you think it's hormones, disrupted sleep or what you're eating? All of these things can be true, but what's really the reason for our declining health?
If you're normal [pun intended], you probably have been told that it's because you're getting older, or you need to exercise more and loose some weight!
Maybe this are true, but just maybe there's more to this common complaint of those of us who are in our middle years and beyond.
Minerals, Blood Sugar, & Metabolism.
Because we can't begin to heal and repair our body without considering the huge impact of dysregulated blood sugar and how crucial it is to have balanced mineral ratios.
Why is this so important?
When we have stable ratios of minerals, our body is then able to have improved insulin sensitivity which leads to stable blood sugar. If we are low in minerals, our body has difficuty regulating our hormones and we find ourselves in a cycle of low energy and moods, poor digestion, lack of adequate hunger cues, cravings and probably the most frustrating part - we don't feel comfortable in our own body as if it doesn't fit anymore.
I believe that beginning with a HTMA [hair tissue mineral analysis] can begin to unlock blood sugar and mineral status which can provide real answers.
The Mightly 7 - Minerals.
Sodium has a checkered past in the medical community and we are sadly the recipients of this message. We are told to watch our salt intake, sometimes lowering it to levels that actually do cause issues without ever understanding the amazing function that sodium provides. This mineral is one of the most important minerals for adrenal function and blood sugar regulation. The adrenal glands rely on sodium to produce cortisol, the body's main stress hormone which also is essential for maintaining stable blood sugar. When sodium is low, cortisol production can suffer, leading to blood sugar crashes, energy dips, and reactive hypoglycemia. Also, when we experience chronic stress through restrictive dieting, our blood sugar destabilizes which makes insulin resistance worse.
Potassium is another important mineral that works alongside sodium. Potassium is essential for insulin signaling and can assist glucose to enter cells to be used for energy. Low levels of potassium impair this process, leading to higher blood sugar and insulin. Potassium is easily depleted by stress, caffeine, and diuretics, it is usually the most common deficiency found in women who are struggling with blood sugar issues.
Magnesium often known as the "relaxing" mineral. Magnesium is involved in over 3,000 enzyme reactions in our body, including how our cells respond to insulin. When magnesium is low our insulin sensitivity decreases, blood sugar rises, and a greater incidence of becoming metabolically broken - aka metabolic syndrome. This also included type 2 diabetes. Magnesium also helps to reduce inflammation and calm our nervous system which supports better blood sugar control.
Calcium also has a role in both insulin delivery and glucose. But for this to work, there needs to be balance between magnesium, potassium, and sodium. Unfortunately, when calcium becomes elevated over these other minerals, it creates a "calcium shell" often discovered through a hair test. When this is present, our body's cellular communication and insulin signaling is disrupted. Common symptoms include; adrenal fatigue, poor thyroid function and worsening insulin resistance over time.
Zinc is another important mineral for our metabolic health becaue it's required for effective insulin delivery and activity, and helps protect our body from oxidative stress. When we are deficient in zinc, we usually are also insulin resistant. Adding supplementation has been shown to improve fasting glucose, insulin levels, and even improved lipid profiles in women with metabolic sydrome.
Chromium is the major blood sugar regulator. It enhances the activity of insulin by helping it to bind to receptors on the cells. Chromium is a powerful mineral to consider.
Manganese plays a supportive role in carbohydrate metabolism and blood sugar. Low levels of manganese can impair the body's ability to manage oxidative stress that's elevated in insulin-resistant individuals. Manganese supports estrogen metabolism and ovarian function.
Minerals our our body's metabolic regulators. They act like spark plugs for blood sugar balance, insulin sensitivity, and overall hormone health. If you have dialed in your diet by eliminating highly processed foods, inflammatory seed oils, upped protein and fiber at each meal and still feel stuck, it might be time to go deeper to find out:
What are my minerals doing?
What are my mineral ratios/patterns?
You can begin today by scheduling a REVEAL - Hair Analysis.
This simple hair test will uncover both mineral levels and heavy metal toxicity. You will also receive a blueprint to follow that can increase your energy, reduce brain fog, diminish fatigue and finally allow your body to feel safe so it can begin to release weight.
Sign-up Here:
Thanks for reading,
Jan
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