Nutrition

Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Testing

Cholesterol and Blood Sugar are tested with a machine called CardioChek™. Each test requires a simple finger prick and takes less than 2 minutes for both tests. Initially both tests are usually measured due to the common links between the two diseases.

Cholesterol

We measure total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterols (good), triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterols (bad) levels and the overall risk ratio (total cholesterol: HDL). Cholesterols are essentially responsible for making your hormones, this conjugation process is done in your liver. Your liver is a major detoxification organ which helps your body rid of many toxins (i.e. toxins from your environment, cosmetics, house-hold products, processed foods, drugs, etc.).

Your cholesterols are also an indicator of your stress level. Generally stress (physical, emotional and chemical stress) can alter your cholesterol levels.

Disharmony of your cholesterol levels is called dyslipidemia. This disease process is the basis of heart disease and is commonly associated with poor blood sugar function, impaired detoxification and inflammation.

Blood Sugar

Poor blood sugar (glucose) management, also known as dysglycemia or insulin resistance, is an epidemic problem in today's society. The American Diabetes Association estimates roughly half of middle people in the United States have pre-diabetes.

As you begin to have dysglycemia your insulin levels rise to keep your glucose levels within optimal. Insulin is the hormone which manages your blood sugar. This mismanagement can alter body composition resulting in an increase in body fat around the mid-section. Eventually your insulin doesn't work as well and your glucose level begins to rise. Commonly accompanying this process is an increase in your cholesterol and triglycerides.
Along this disease pathway you get high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high triglycerides, which is also known as 'Syndrome X.'
The final stage is that insulin no longer has any effect on the body and you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. In time your pancreas cannot keep up with the demands for insulin, and production decreases, leading to Type 1 Diabetes as well.
Dysglycemia is linked to many other diseases as well; disproportionate cholesterols, inflammation, hormonal imbalances and depression to name a few.