Stubborn Blood Sugar? How Dysbiosis Can Be the Missing Link

When Keith came to us, he was doing all the right things.

A long-time type 2 diabetic, he was serious about getting his early morning blood sugar readings under 140 mg/dL. We designed a lower-carbohydrate, high-fiber, protein-rich nutrition plan for him. He followed it diligently, shed excess weight, and improved his energy.

But those fasting blood sugar numbers? Still stubbornly above 140 mg/dL.
We’d hit a wall.

That’s when we turned to a powerful yet underutilized tool in functional nutrition: a comprehensive stool analysis.

What we discovered changed everything.

Dysbiosis: The Hidden Factor Behind Blood Sugar Stubbornness

Keith’s stool test revealed dysbiosis, a microbial imbalance in the gut where harmful bacteria begin to outnumber the beneficial ones. This imbalance isn’t typically caught in conventional testing—and yet, it can significantly impact blood sugar.

From a functional perspective, dysbiosis can increase inflammation, reduce insulin sensitivity, and impair the production of key microbial compounds (like short-chain fatty acids) that help regulate metabolism.

In Keith’s case, we saw low levels of beneficial bacteria and an overgrowth of inflammatory species. His gut was working against his blood sugar goals, not with them.

What the Research Shows

Emerging studies have highlighted the profound role of the gut microbiome in blood sugar regulation.

One major research team found that people respond very differently to the same foods, and these differences can be predicted based on their gut microbiota composition. Their conclusion? Blood sugar control isn’t just about carbs or calories—it’s about the gut.

Another team found that people with type 2 diabetes often have altered gut microbiomes, with more inflammatory bacteria and fewer beneficial species. Some of these individuals even had signs of bacterial translocation—bacteria moving from the gut into the bloodstream—suggesting a breakdown of the gut barrier.

Research also confirms that a “leaky gut” can trigger low-grade inflammation, which worsens insulin resistance and contributes to the progression of diabetes.

How Keith Finally Broke Through the Plateau

After uncovering his dysbiosis, we introduced a targeted protocol using:

• Herbal antimicrobials to reduce overgrowth

• Specific probiotics and prebiotics to rebuild healthy flora

• Dietary shifts to feed beneficial bacteria

Soon, we saw real progress.
His fasting blood sugar began to dip—first to 137 mg/dL, then lower. Eventually, his morning numbers hovered in the low 130s.

No new medications. No drastic dietary changes.
Just a functional approach to gut health.

Why Functional Gut Testing Matters

Conventional medicine rarely looks at the microbiome unless there are overt digestive symptoms. But in functional nutrition, we know the gut is a major player in blood sugar regulation, inflammation, mood, and more.

That’s why we emphasize: Don’t guess—test.
Functional stool analysis helps us uncover hidden imbalances that influence the entire body, including metabolic health.

Want to Learn About Functional Lab Tests that Go Beyond Symptoms?

If you're a nurse ready to move beyond surface-level solutions and learn how to truly support healing from the inside out, join us.

Our Nutrition for Nurses program teaches you how functional lab tests like stool analysis can help uncover gut dysfunction, build targeted plans, and support better outcomes—for your clients and yourself.

The next cohort begins April 9!
Use code NUTRITIONRN for a special discount.

Go beyond the symptom. Find the root. And transform lives—starting with yours.