Why Some People Don’t Respond to Standard Blood Sugar Advice: A Functional Exploration

15 hours ago
4 min read

You reduce sugar.

You swap white bread for wholegrain.

You eat more protein.

And yet your energy still crashes at 3pm. Your cravings feel uncontrollable. Your mood dips after meals.

If this sounds familiar, you are not failing. The advice may simply not be personalised enough.

In this article, we explore why generic guidance does not work for everyone. We will look at individual differences in glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, stress responses and gut function, and how a root cause approach can offer clarity.

The Problem with Standard Blood Sugar Advice

Standard blood sugar advice usually includes:

Avoid sugar
Eat less carbohydrate
Choose wholegrains
Increase protein
Exercise more

These are sensible foundations. However, they assume everyone processes glucose in the same way.

Research from institutions such as the NHS highlights the importance of balanced meals and physical activity for blood sugar control. While this guidance is valuable at population level, it does not account for individual variation in:

Insulin sensitivity
Stress hormone output
Gut microbiome composition
Sleep quality
Hormonal fluctuations
Inflammatory load

This is where functional nutrition becomes essential.

Understanding Individual Glucose Metabolism

Two people can eat the same meal and have completely different glucose responses.

Factors influencing glucose metabolism include:

Muscle mass
Gut microbiota diversity
Liver function
Meal timing
Genetic predisposition
Stress load

One client may tolerate oats well. Another may spike and crash from the same bowl.

This is why we must consider that glucose regulation is not only about the sugar itself. It is about the entire metabolic environment.

Insulin Sensitivity and Why It Varies

Insulin is the hormone that allows glucose to move from the bloodstream into cells.

Reduced insulin sensitivity, sometimes referred to as insulin resistance, can develop gradually. It is influenced by:

Chronic stress
Sedentary lifestyle
Poor sleep
Inflammatory diets
Hormonal imbalances
Visceral fat accumulation

However, some women with very low-calorie intake and restrictive eating patterns also struggle with unstable blood sugar. Undereating can increase stress hormones, which in turn disrupt glucose balance.

This is particularly relevant in women with a history of yo-yo dieting or restrictive eating, where metabolic flexibility has been compromised.

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If you suspect that insulin sensitivity is part of your story, personalised testing and assessment can reveal far more than guesswork.

The Stress Response and Blood Sugar

Stress is often the missing piece.

When you are stressed, your body releases cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones increase blood glucose to prepare you for action.

In acute stress, this is protective. In chronic stress, it can lead to:

Elevated fasting glucose
Increased cravings
Energy dips
Central weight gain
Sleep disruption

Guidance from NHS recognises the role of lifestyle and stress management in metabolic conditions.

If you are following textbook dietary advice but living in constant fight-or-flight mode, blood sugar instability may persist.

Stress emerges as a powerful metabolic driver that is often ignored in generic plans.

Gut Health and Blood Sugar Regulation

Your gut microbiome plays a significant role in glucose metabolism.

Certain bacterial strains improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation. Others may contribute to metabolic dysregulation.

Poor gut health may lead to:

Increased intestinal permeability
Low-grade inflammation
Altered short-chain fatty acid production
Reduced fibre fermentation

Fibre is particularly important here. It slows glucose absorption and nourishes beneficial gut bacteria.

In functional practice, blood sugar and gut health are never treated in isolation.

Hormones, Life Stage and Women’s Health

Women’s glucose responses shift across the menstrual cycle, perimenopause and menopause.

Oestrogen influences insulin sensitivity. As oestrogen fluctuates or declines, blood sugar variability often increases.

This is why many women in their forties notice:

Stronger carbohydrate cravings
Greater fat storage around the middle
Energy instability
Poorer sleep

Standard low-sugar advice rarely addresses hormonal context.

If you are navigating midlife changes, the issue may not be willpower. It may be physiology.

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Sleep, Circadian Rhythm and Glucose Control

Even one night of poor sleep can reduce insulin sensitivity.

Circadian rhythm disruption affects:

Cortisol rhythm
Appetite hormones
Glucose tolerance
Evening cravings

Shift workers and busy professionals often struggle here.

The Role of Nutrient Status and Digestive Function

Magnesium, chromium, B vitamins and protein intake all influence glucose regulation.

Low stomach acid, poor bile flow or compromised digestion may impair nutrient absorption.

Without adequate micronutrient status, the body cannot regulate blood sugar efficiently.

This is why functional nutrition assesses:

Full blood panels
Iron status
Thyroid function
Vitamin D
Inflammatory markers
Liver function

It is not about cutting more foods. It is about restoring metabolic capacity.

Moving Beyond One-Size-Fits-All Advice

Generic advice works for some.

Personalised blood sugar management considers:

Your stress load
Your life stage
Your sleep patterns
Your gut health
Your metabolic history
Your relationship with food

This approach aligns with working at the root cause rather than chasing symptoms.

Practical Steps for Personalised Blood Sugar Management

Here are supportive starting points:

Pair carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats
Include adequate fibre daily
Prioritise sleep before extreme dietary restriction
Manage stress through breathing, walking or nervous system work
Eat consistently to avoid reactive crashes
Strength train to improve insulin sensitivity
Investigate underlying hormonal or gut issues if symptoms persist

If you are in the UK or Europe and feel that standard advice has not worked for you, personalised support can make the difference between frustration and clarity.

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Final Thoughts

In this article, Why Some People Don’t Respond to Standard Blood Sugar Advice: A Functional Exploration, we explored why low-sugar messaging alone often fails.

Blood sugar regulation is influenced by: