Biohacking involves optimizing your body. Everyone has a spike in blood sugar after eating. But if that spike is too high, too fast, the shape of the curve (flat is better), or not bimodal, it leads to inflammation and insulin resistance.
So what can you do to help?
- AGE. Sadly, you can’t reverse this one. But know as you age, that is a risk for affecting your post eating glucose response.
- BMI. The higher the BMI, the worse the response. Also know this changes for women a lot around menopause. (Egads, will the menopause hits ever stop coming?). Being a healthy weight is known to help with insulin resistance.
- GENETICS. There are those who genetically have differences in insulin sensitivity and beta cell performance (the cells in the pancreas responsible for insulin)
- MICROBIOME. Medicine is becoming very aware of the effect of your microbiome- the bacteria that live in the gut- on your health. There are strains of bacteria (in our probiotic at Biohackr) that are known to help with glucose control.
- EXERCISE. Exercise in general helps, but walking even for 5-10 minutes after eating helps with the glucose spike.
- TIMING OF MEALS. Eating earlier in the day has been shown to be better than eating dinnertime or snacking before bed.
- INTERMITTENT FASTING.
- STRESS / CORTISOL. As cortisol levels go up, increased glucose spikes are seen.
- SLEEP QUALITY. Those who slept poorly the night before, have a higher glucose spike with breakfast the next day.
- DIET. How much are you eating? What is the glycemic index of the food? Look at the amount and quality of the nutrients, including protein and fats. Studies have shown that a higher intake of carbs causes higher glucose spikes. Fat causes a flattening of the glycemic curve (good). Fiber significantly lowered the glycemic response (good).
- MEDICATIONS. Beta blockers, thiazide diuretics, steroids, and statins.
- CAFFEINE
So know there are lots of ways you can improve your glucose. If you are doing a CGM, you can actually view how doing these interventions can help you.
How can Biohackr Health help?
We have CGMs, bloodwork to see your insulin panel and HbA1c, carry a probiotic which includes bacterial strains known to help with glucose control, NAD, and loads of ways to help with weight, including semaglutide and tirzepatide.
Come on in!