The Wellness Connection Show dives into one of the most overlooked—and most impactful—drivers of energy, mood, hormone balance, and long-term health: blood sugar. In this episode, Dr. Bryan Joseph is joined by functional medicine clinician Dr. Anthony Pasek to break down what blood sugar actually is, why it matters far beyond diabetes, and how unstable blood sugar can quietly disrupt nearly every system in the body.
From afternoon crashes and coffee cravings to irritability, poor sleep, anxiety, migraines, and stubborn weight, this conversation explains why blood sugar issues aren’t just a “diet problem”—they’re often tied to hormones, stress, sleep quality, movement, and even gut health. Dr. Anthony also shares why many people are struggling even when they’ve been told their labs are “normal,” and what markers and tools can uncover what’s really happening.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
- Why blood sugar is one of the body’s most important regulators of energy, mood, and brain function
- The surprising truth about how little sugar is actually in your blood at any given time
- Why blood sugar dysfunction affects thin people too—not just those who are overweight
- The difference between insulin resistance, diabetes, low blood sugar, and unstable blood sugar swings
- Common warning signs: energy crashes, sugar cravings, irritability, anxiety, and feeling “wired at night”
- Why waking up in the middle of the night can be a blood sugar issue—not just cortisol
- How long-term high blood sugar can damage nerves, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, sexual function, and brain health
- Why migraines and vestibular symptoms (anxiety, motion sickness, dizziness) can be tied to blood sugar swings
- The most helpful labs to assess blood sugar: A1C, fasting insulin, triglycerides, HDL ratio—and what “optimal” looks like
- Why a normal A1C can still hide insulin resistance for years
- Why low A1C or very low insulin may signal low blood sugar patterns that are often missed
- How a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) works—and what it can reveal that lab work can’t-
- Why stress and disrupted sleep can spike blood sugar even when food hasn’t changed
- How quickly blood sugar can improve (and when it takes longer)
The simplest daily action steps to stabilize blood sugar:
- Prioritizing protein
- Avoiding “naked carbs” (carbs without protein/fat/fiber)
- Changing the order you eat your food
- Walking 5-10 minutes after meals
- Strength training for insulin sensitivity
- Supporting sleep and stress regulation
- Natural support options that may help (when paired with lifestyle changes): berberine, inositol, magnesium, cinnamon
The takeaway?
Blood sugar isn’t just about diabetes—it’s about how you feel every day and how you age over time. When you stabilize blood sugar, you stabilize energy, mood, sleep, hormones, and metabolic health—and you give your body a better foundation for long-term vitality.
Resources & Links:
Learn more about Dr. Bryan, Dr. Jason, and the team at http://thewellnessconnection.com
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