#17: 🕵️‍♀️ Are Missing Nutrients Wrecking Your Blood Sugar?

In today’s episode, we’re uncovering the hidden role of nutrient deficiencies in blood sugar control. From magnesium to vitamin D to chromium, these underrated nutrients could be the missing link in your health journey. Learn how they work, signs you might be deficient, and simple ways to restore balance naturally.

We’ll also share tips for choosing supplements, including why food-based options might be your best bet, and practical strategies to optimize your nutrient intake for better glucose metabolism.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How magnesium, vitamin D, and chromium impact blood sugar and insulin resistance.
• Signs of deficiencies and why they might be holding you back.
• The best food and supplement sources for these nutrients.
• Why food-based supplements, like Earthley Wellness’s Nourish Me Naturally, are often more effective than synthetic alternatives.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• 🌟 Topical Magnesium: Earthley Wellness Good Night Lotion
• 🌱 Food-Based Multivitamin: Earthley Wellness Nourish Me Naturally
• 🌿 Another Great Food-Based Option: Garden of Life Multivitamin
• 🧬 Find Your Ideal Starting Point: Blood Sugar Personality Quiz

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Balanced Blood Sugar Podcast for more tips and strategies to help you manage your blood sugar naturally.
• Follow us on social for more!
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Thanks for listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone who might find it helpful. Let’s help more people balance their blood sugar and live healthier, happier lives!

Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medication. The content shared here reflects my personal experiences and research but should not replace individualized medical care.

Transcript

INTRODUCTION

Opening Music Fades In

Host (Adrienne): “Welcome back to The Balanced Blood Sugar Podcast! I’m Adrienne, your host, and today, we’re diving into something most people don’t think about when it comes to balancing blood sugar—nutrient deficiencies. It’s not just about cutting carbs or avoiding sugar; sometimes, the missing piece is what your body isn’t getting enough of. Let’s unpack how ensuring the right vitamins and minerals can make a big difference in your health.”

Transition Music

SEGMENT 1: HOW DEFICIENCIES IMPACT BLOOD SUGAR

Host: “Did you know certain nutrient deficiencies could be the hidden reason your blood sugar won’t budge? Let’s talk about the top culprits: magnesium, vitamin D, and chromium, and how they directly impact glucose metabolism and insulin resistance.”

First up - Magnesium:

• “Magnesium is like the behind-the-scenes director for hundreds of enzymatic reactions in your body, including glucose metabolism. When your magnesium levels are low, it disrupts insulin's ability to do its job, making your body work overtime just to keep blood sugar in check. Low magnesium can also lead to increased insulin resistance, which is a major roadblock if you’re trying to improve your numbers."

Next is Vitamin D:

• "Vitamin D isn’t just about strong bones—it’s also critical for your blood sugar. It helps your pancreas produce insulin and improves how your cells respond to it. A deficiency can make both of these processes sluggish, which isn’t what we want when we’re aiming for balance."

Finally, let’s talk Chromium:

• "Think of chromium as your body's blood sugar helper. It works alongside insulin, helping your cells open the door and let glucose in where it can be used for energy. Without enough chromium, your body might struggle to keep blood sugar levels steady, leading to more sugar floating around in your bloodstream. This can feel like trying to clean up a spill without enough towels—it just doesn’t work as well!"

SEGMENT 2: RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF DEFICIENCIES

Host: "So, how do you know if you might be running low on these key nutrients? Let’s break it down."

Some Magnesium Deficiency Signs can include:

• Muscle cramps or spasms
• Fatigue
• Numbness or tingling

Vitamin D Deficiency Signs can include:

• Bone pain
• Frequent infections
• Mood changes, like feeling low or down

Chromium Deficiency Signs can include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Cravings for sugar or carbs
• Feeling sluggish or uncoordinated

Host: "If any of these sound familiar, it might be worth digging deeper with your doctor or healthcare provider to rule out a deficiency."

Transition Music

SEGMENT 3: THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN MAGNESIUM AND VITAMIN D

Host: "Now, let’s talk about the interplay between magnesium and vitamin D. Here’s something fascinating: magnesium and vitamin D actually work together. Without enough magnesium, your body can’t properly activate vitamin D. It just sits there, stored and inactive, unable to do what it’s meant to do—like helping regulate calcium, supporting your bones, and aid in blood sugar control."

Host: "Supplementation becomes even more important during the winter months when we’re not getting as much sunlight to produce vitamin D naturally. But if your magnesium levels are low, supplementing with vitamin D might not be as effective. So it’s all connected!"

Transition Music

SEGMENT 4: OPTIMAL FORMS OF MAGNESIUM AND SUPPLEMENTATION TIPS

Host: "Now, let’s talk supplements. Not all magnesium supplements are created equal. Let’s talk about the ones that are easier to absorb and gentler on your stomach."

My Top Recommended Forms are oral or topical:

• "For oral, I suggest - Magnesium Glycinate: This one is highly bioavailable and less likely to cause digestive upset or the laxative effect. It’s a great option if you’re just starting out and need higher doses to get rid of a deficiency or if the idea of taking a pill is easier than using a spray or lotion.
  
  
  

Topical Application:

• "My top choice overall is a Topical Application since magnesium is better absorbed topically, which means through the skin. 
• So if swallowing pills isn’t your thing—or if it bothers your stomach—you might love topical options like magnesium lotions or sprays. They bypass the digestive system altogether. My family uses Earthley Wellness’s Good Night Lotion, and it’s been a game-changer for covering deficiencies and helping with sleep and relaxation. We have used sprays in the past, but found the itchiness they can cause to be very uncomfortable. But Earthley Wellness’s lotion blend is so gentle that it doesn’t have an itchy effect and our toddler tolerates perfectly. 

Dosing Tip:

• "As for dosing, here’s a little pro tip: Start with a low dose and increase slowly until you notice loose stools. Then, back it down to the previous dose. If you’re really deficient, you might need a higher dose initially, like lotion twice a day or a mixture of oral and topical magnesium, but then you can taper down over time. Just remember, even if your blood magnesium levels look good, your intracellular levels—the ones that really matter—might still be low."

Transition Music

SEGMENT 5: FOOD VS. SUPPLEMENTS: WHAT WORKS BEST

Host: "Alright, now let’s talk more solutions. Should you aim to get these nutrients through food, supplements, or a mix of both? First, let’s talk about food."

Magnesium-Rich Foods:

• Dark leafy greens (like spinach and kale)
• Nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds are a great choice!)
• Avocados

Vitamin D Sources:

• Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel
• Fortified foods (like dairy or plant-based milk)
• And of course, sunlight—although that’s harder to come by in the winter.

Chromium Sources:

• Broccoli
• Eggs

Host: "Now, while food should always be your first line of defense, it’s important to recognize that our modern food isn’t as nutrient-dense as it used to be back in the 'ole days. This is why supplementation is often necessary to bridge the gap. In our family, we lean towards food-based supplements like Garden of Life or tinctures like Earthley Wellness’s Nourish Me Naturally. These food-based options absorb better than synthetic supplements and come with fewer risks of side effects from megadosing on something you might not even need which can throw you whole body out of balance in other ways."

Host: "But on the subject of supplements, let’s talk about quality. Supplements aren’t tightly regulated, so it’s crucial to choose wisely. Look for reputable brands like Garden of Life that test for heavy metals and other contaminants. Also, if you want to learn more about why natural, food-based supplementation is superior to synthetic options, Earthley Wellness has fantastic resources about it. It’s worth the extra effort to know what’s going into your body and why you should choose one option over the other."

Transition Music

CLOSING

Host: "So that’s it for today. Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Balanced Blood Sugar Podcast! I hope this helped shed light on how nutrient deficiencies might be impacting your blood sugar and gave you some actionable steps to take control. As always, small, consistent changes lead to big results. Until next time."

Closing Music Fades Out