Diabetes is a condition influenced by hormones, where blood sugar changes caused by insulin affect the prognosis. However, blood sugar levels can also be affected by hormones other than insulin. What could they be?

◇Incretin Hormones: The main hormones that directly influence blood sugar regulation are GLP-1 and GIP. GLP-1 and GIP are secreted from the digestive organs when food is ingested and regulate insulin secretion from the pancreas according to blood glucose levels. Professor Sangjun Park of the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital said, "GLP-1 and GIP hormones have excellent blood sugar control effects and are currently used as treatments for diabetes, which will also aid in the development and research of new medications in the future."

The 'GLP-1 analog' drugs used as actual diabetes and obesity medications act in the same way as GLP-1 when administered via subcutaneous injection. They promote insulin secretion to lower blood sugar, suppress glucagon secretion which raises blood sugar, and slow gastrointestinal motility to maintain a feeling of fullness for a longer period. In addition to injections, daily activities such as ▲eating slowly and thoroughly chewing food ▲consuming foods with delayed digestion and absorption can increase GLP-1 hormone secretion.

◇Sex hormones: Estrogen and Testosterone

There are hormones that indirectly affect blood sugar regulation. The female hormone estrogen plays a role in regulating blood glucose homeostasis and energy balance. A study from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands found that diabetic patients who received hormone therapy with estrogen and progesterone after menopause experienced an average decrease of 1.15 in fasting blood glucose and an average reduction of 0.56% in hemoglobin A1c. Testosterone increases basal metabolic rate and muscle mass; when testosterone decreases, visceral fat accumulates and enters the bloodstream more easily, disrupting glucose metabolism.

However, sex hormones have a minimal effect on blood sugar levels and are not used for diabetes treatment. Experts say there is no need to intentionally raise sex hormone levels to control blood sugar. Professor Park Sang-jun stated, "Hormones such as estrogen and testosterone should be kept in proper balance, as long as insulin resistance does not increase," and added, "Instead of focusing on the concentration of these hormones, it is preferable to manage diabetes through regular exercise, maintaining an appropriate weight, and medications that reduce insulin resistance."

◇Stress hormone: Cortisol

Cortisol, the stress hormone, causes direct and indirect changes in blood sugar levels. Cortisol is secreted in various situations, mainly as a response to fear and stress reactions in the body. In response to external stimuli, more blood is released, muscles tense up, and cortisol is secreted, leading to increased blood sugar and blood pressure. Cortisol also reduces the function of leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite, making blood sugar regulation more difficult. Additionally, repeated stress can impair sleep quality, disrupting the biological rhythm, affecting hormone secretion, and creating a vicious cycle of rising blood sugar. Professor Jo Se-eun of the Department of Psychiatry at Gachon University Gil Medical Center said, “When stress becomes repetitive and chronic, it can affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that produces cortisol, leading to abnormal hormone secretion,” and emphasized, “It is necessary to try to relax the nerves and escape from hyper-aroused stress situations.”

Professor Jo Eun's suggested methods for relieving everyday stress are as follows.

Exhale longer than inhale, focusing along the breathing pathways such as the mouth, nose, and lungs, and feel the breath. It is good to gradually increase the breathing training time to 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes.

It is also recommended to practice meditation along with activities to improve concentration.

In addition, muscle relaxation training is also effective. Clenching and releasing specific muscles, such as tightly closing and opening the eyes, or raising the shoulders with force and then relaxing them, can help.

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Ways to Relieve Daily Stress

Using lunchtime

Doing it once is also good.