Answering Your Questions About Cholesterol And Diabetes [5ef6d2]
Post Time: 2025-07-29
Vitamin B12 plays a crucial role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, and its deficiency has been linked to various metabolic disorders. When it comes to managing blood sugar, vitamin B12 works by facilitating the absorption of glucose into cells, thus regulating insulin sensitivity.
Regulating Insulin Sensitivity with Vitamin B12 Insufficient vitamin B12 can lead to impaired glucose uptake in cells, resulting in increased blood sugar levels and a higher risk of developing conditions like diabetes. On the other hand, maintaining optimal vitamin B12 levels has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity and improve overall metabolic health.
The Importance of Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels for Vitamin B12 Deficiency Diabetics with low vitamin B12 levels often experience more severe blood sugar fluctuations compared to those with sufficient levels. Regular monitoring of blood glucose is crucial, especially if a person suspects they may have a deficiency. Symptoms such as fatigue and weakness can also indicate the need for further evaluation.
The Link Between Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Blood Sugar Spikes Research suggests that vitamin B12 plays a significant role in stabilizing blood sugar levels by promoting healthy metabolic processes. A lack of this essential nutrient has been linked to an increased risk of experiencing unpredictable spikes in blood glucose, potentially leading to more severe complications.
The Relationship Between Vitamin B12 and Diet-Induced Blood Sugar Fluctuations Consuming foods high in refined sugars can lead to rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, further exacerbating the effects of a vitamin B12 deficiency. This is particularly concerning for those with underlying metabolic conditions who may be prone to increased insulin resistance.
Achieving Balance: Vitamin B12 and Lifestyle Factors A balanced lifestyle that includes regular exercise, stress management, and sufficient sleep can greatly benefit individuals struggling with blood sugar regulation due to low vitamin B12 levels. In addition, consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to have a positive effect on overall health by reducing inflammation.
Mitigating the Effects of High Blood Sugar In cases where high blood sugar persists, consulting with healthcare professionals can help determine if an underlying condition such as diabetes or hypothyroidism is present. This allows for more targeted interventions and better management strategies tailored to individual needs.
I answer some common questions I’ve been asked about cholesterol and diabetes. What is the ideal LDL level? How can I reduce insulin resistance? What’s going on when someone eats healthfully but their glucose is still out of control? New subscribers to our e-newsletter always receive a free gift. Get yours here: I have a ton of videos on cholesterol. My newest ones are How Low Should You Go for Ideal Cholesterol Levels? and Can Cholesterol Get Too Low?. ( and The Lp(a) video is How to Lower Lp(a) with Diet? ( However, in this answer, I said I thought black cumin seeds and flax helped lower Lp(a), but, actually, the research we have so far just shows that a healthy plant-based diet does the trick, though amla may also be helpful. In my HDL answer, I mentioned a video where I talked 2 hours after eating normal blood sugar about correlation versus causation. See Coconut Oil and the Boost in HDL “Good” Cholesterol ( And for those interested in more on diabetes, I have a trove of videos on that topic. Here are just a few: What Causes Insulin Resistance? ( The Best Diet for Diabetes ( Plant-Based Diets and Diabetes ( How did you like these Q&A style videos? Should we do more? Let us blood sugar monitoring smart watch know in the comments! Have a question about this video? Leave it in the comment section at hormone that lowers blood sugar levels and someone on the NutritionFacts.org team will try to answer it. You’ll also find a transcript and acknowledgements for the video, my blog and speaking tour schedule, and an easy way to search (by translated language even) through our videos spanning more than 2,000 health topics. Thanks for watching. I hope you’ll join in the evidence-based nutrition revolution! -Michael Greger, MD FACLM Captions for this video are available in several languages; you can find yours in the video settings. • Subscribe: • Donate: • Podcast : • Facebook: www.facebook.com/NutritionFacts.org • Twitter: www.twitter.com/nutrition_facts • Instagram: www.instagram.com/nutrition_facts_org • Books: • Shop: