Maintaining Blood Sugar Levels
(picture taken from: https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/diabetes/normal-regulation-blood-glucose) |
Picture taken from: https://finspi.com/photo/hypoglycemia-vs-hyperglycemia-signs-and-symptoms-2747265
Major Glands of the Endocrine System
(picture taken from http://www.barterweb.net/how-blood-sugar-affects-the-adrenals-endocrine-system-divine-health/) |
Consuming excess amounts of sugar as well as not getting enough sugar in your bloodstream can both be disruptive to your health and can lead to several problems within your endocrine system such as:
Hyper/Hypoglycemia
Hyper/Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia occurs when your body has too much sugar in it's bloodstream but not enough insulin to balance it out and Hypoglycemia is the opposite, when your blood sugar levels are too low and you have more than enough insulin. Both of which are symptoms of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Hypertension
- Hypertension is when your blood pressure is abnormally high and large amounts of sugar intake can be the cause of it
Complications with your hormones and digestion
- When blood sugar is too low your adrenal glands increase production of cortisol which is a hormone that hinders the production of hydrochloric acids which the digestive system needs to break down food. If the digestive system is unable to do it's job it could potentially lead to diseases such as leaky gut syndrome where undigested food gets caught in the lining of the liver.
- An overload of sugar as well as not eating enough sugar can cause hormone levels to become unbalanced, it messes especially with insulin. When a lot of insulin is released a lot of testosterone is produced which converts to estrogen by fat tissue in your stomach which is likely to lead to mood swings, irritability, fatigue and other symptoms.
Thyroid Problems and Adrenal Fatigue
- The thyroid is very dependent on the adrenal glands, if the adrenals aren't working properly neither will the thyroid, leading to several problems with metabolism and weight gain.
- High blood sugar can cause inflammation in the thyroid as well as raise your blood pressure and increase your resistance to insulin.
- Adrenal fatigue occurs when your ability to cope with stress and maintain balanced blood sugar and blood pressure levels is hindered and an overload of sugar can definitely be the cause of this because your body is constantly releasing insulin causing your cells to constantly grow a stronger resistance to insulin.
Sugar negatively effects the major glands and hormones that are integral to the endocrine system and maintaining homeostasis in many different ways.
- The pancreas releases hormones such as insulin and glucagon which help regulate blood sugar levels. When you consume too much sugar the pancreas secretes insulin to try and move the excess sugar out of the bloodstream into other cells to produce energy. When sugar is excessively consumed over and over again the body begins to resist insulin and the pancreas responds by releasing even more insulin which continues to weaken the cells ability to respond to insulin even more.
- The adrenal glands secrete glucocorticoids, a hormone that aids in glucose metabolism, adrenaline, which helps you cope with stress by giving you bursts of energy and noradrenaline which is your "fight or flight" hormone that signals a response to stress. Cortisol is a hormone also secreted from the adrenal glands that helps balance blood sugar and maintain blood pressure. All of these hormones can become unbalanced and and not work properly if the adrenal gland becomes fatigued due to large sugar intake amounts.
Works Cited:
"How Blood Sugar Affects The Adrenals & Endocrine System." Divine Health. N.p., 27 Dec. 2016. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"The Endocrine System: The Adrenal Glands." Adrenal Fatigue & Blood Sugar Levels -- Natural Health Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"Hyperglycemia: When Your Blood Glucose Level Goes Too High." EndocrineWeb. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"Normal Regulation of Blood Glucose." EndocrineWeb. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"How Sugar Throws Off Your Digestive and Hormonal Balance." Allergy Free Menu Planners. N.p., 15 July 2016. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
Kresser, Chris. "Thyroid, Blood Sugar, and Metabolic Syndrome." Chris Kresser. N.p., 16 July 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"How Blood Sugar Affects The Adrenals & Endocrine System." Divine Health. N.p., 27 Dec. 2016. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"The Endocrine System: The Adrenal Glands." Adrenal Fatigue & Blood Sugar Levels -- Natural Health Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"Hyperglycemia: When Your Blood Glucose Level Goes Too High." EndocrineWeb. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"Normal Regulation of Blood Glucose." EndocrineWeb. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
"How Sugar Throws Off Your Digestive and Hormonal Balance." Allergy Free Menu Planners. N.p., 15 July 2016. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.
Kresser, Chris. "Thyroid, Blood Sugar, and Metabolic Syndrome." Chris Kresser. N.p., 16 July 2014. Web. 06 Feb. 2017.