Why Stress Management Is An Important Component Of Maintaining Blood Sugar Balance

As the number of type 2 diabetes and prediabetes cases in the United States continues to grow1, researchers work to find ways to prevent the onset of these conditions and to manage them when they do take hold.

According to the report, researchers at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the Ohio State University College of Medicine found that increases in cortisol, the human stress hormone, had a direct relationship with increased glucose over time.

"In healthy people, cortisol fluctuates naturally throughout the day, spiking in the morning and falling at night," said Joshua J. Joseph, M.D., an endocrinologist who led the study. "But in participants with type 2 diabetes, cortisol profiles that were flatter throughout the day had higher glucose levels."

According to previous research, stress and depression can lead to a flatter cortisol profile, which makes regulation of blood sugar more difficult. And while this study isolated this relationship in participants with type 2 diabetes, the researchers believe the influence of cortisol may be an important component in diabetes prevention.

Because of the influence of cortisol levels on managing blood sugar, finding effective ways to relieve stress can help manage blood sugar levels, especially for those with type 2 diabetes.

"Whether it's a yoga class, taking a walk or reading a book, finding ways to lower your stress levels is important to everyone's overall health," says Joseph, who also serves as an assistant professor in the College of Medicine, "especially for those with type 2 diabetes."

Based on the results of this recent study, Joseph and his team are planning more research: "We have begun a new trial to examine if mindfulness practices can lower blood sugar in those with type 2 diabetes," he explains.

And while mindfulness practices can be an important part of managing stress, he points out that those aforementioned strategies are always good too. "[Mindfulness] isn't the only effective form of stress relief. It's important to find something you enjoy and make it a part of your everyday routine."