Prediabetes: The Silent Epidemic & How to Balance Blood Sugar Naturally with Traditional Chinese Medicine
Blood sugar problems are far more common than most people realize, and they often start silently. According to the CDC, more than 38% of U.S. adults—roughly 1 in 3—have elevated A1C levels (5.7–6.4%), putting them in the prediabetes range. A1C stands for a specific form of hemoglobin A that has glucose attached to it, and it reveals the average glucose level in the blood over 2-3 months.
Prediabetes used to be seen as a warning sign. But now it’s recognized as a medical condition in itself, increasing your risk of:
Type 2 diabetes
Heart disease and stroke
Fatty liver disease
Nerve and kidney damage
Dementia and cognitive decline
And because it rarely causes symptoms, many don’t know they have it until it becomes something more serious.
What Causes Blood Sugar Imbalance?
From a physiological perspective, the rise in blood sugar problems is largely driven by lifestyle factors.
Here are the top modern contributors:
Chronic stress, which leads to high cortisol, raises blood sugar and blocks insulin
Processed food and added sugars cause inflammation, weight gain, and insulin resistance
A sedentary lifestyle reduces the body’s ability to burn glucose
Poor sleep disrupts hormones that regulate appetite and insulin
Belly fat and visceral inflammation affect the liver and pancreas
From a TCM perspective, these same issues manifest as patterns of imbalance across key organ systems:
Spleen/Pancreatic Exhaustion — Sluggish digestion, fatigue, poor glucose metabolism
Gut Inflammation/Damp-Heat — Sugar cravings, bloating, inflammation
Liver/Emotional Stagnation — Stress-induced spikes, emotional eating
Kidney/Adrenal Depletion — Burnout, long-term damage to cells and tissues
When your system is out of harmony, sugar gets trapped in the blood instead of nourishing your cells—leading to energy crashes, weight gain, brain fog, and eventually, diabetes. Moreover, prediabetes increases risks of heart/kidney disease, stroke, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.
How Acupuncture Helps Regulate Blood Sugar
Acupuncture supports the nervous system, endocrine system, and digestion to help rebalance blood sugar levels. It has been shown to:
Improve insulin sensitivity
Reduce cortisol and calm the stress response
Curb cravings and regulate appetite
Enhance digestion and metabolism
Lower A1C levels over time
Studies show acupuncture improves glucose control and may reduce dependence on medications for type 2 diabetes.
Herbs & Supplements That Support Blood Sugar Balance
TCM has been using plant-based therapies to manage blood sugar for thousands of years, long before “diabetes” had a name. In fact, it was called “Exhaustion Syndrome.”
Top Chinese Herbs Used for Glucose Balance:
Astragalus (huang qi) – Studies show that Astragalus supports islet cell function, improves insulin resistance, and reduces microvascular complications.
Coptidis (huang lian) is the active ingredient, which is berberine, along with other alkaloids that have been found to regulate glucose, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation.
Ginseng (ren sheng) enhances energy (ATP) production, supports insulin signaling, and glucose metabolism.
Our expert TCM doctors custom-formulate treatments tailored to each patient's specific needs, utilizing a selection of 450 high-quality herbs.
Top Supplements for Glucose Health:
Sugar Leveler Plus combines well-researched nutraceuticals, including chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, and taurine, to help regulate blood sugar and reduce insulin resistance.
Berberine has been shown in clinical studies to lower A1C levels comparably to the diabetic drug Metformin—naturally.
Magnesium Glycinate has been validated in studies to improve insulin sensitivity, support sleep, and reduce cravings.
TCM Nutrition for Stable Energy and Glucose
In traditional Chinese medicine, the digestive system is considered the foundation of overall health. That means what, how, and when you eat matters.
Eat More:
Cooked vegetables, bitter greens, and root veggies
Whole grains like quinoa, millet, and steel-cut oats
Foods high in resistant starch, like unripe bananas and plantains, cooked and cooled starchy whole grains, beans, and legumes
Legumes and mushrooms for stable energy
Warm soups and broths to support digestion
Warming spices like cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric
Avoid:
Cold foods (like smoothies), which weaken digestion
White sugar, soda, and processed snacks
Fried and greasy foods that create “dampness”
Learn how to eat seasonally and wisely with my Secrets of Longevity Cookbook featuring recipes from centenarians.
Lifestyle Upgrades That Lower Blood Sugar
Simple daily habits can have a huge impact, such as:
Taking a walk after meals helps move glucose into cells for energy.
Practicing qi gong or tai chi, which balances hormones and energy
Prioritizing sleep. Lack of sleep increases insulin resistance.
Meditating or journaling, where cortisol is the blood sugar villain.
Listening to my Meditation for Stress Release, daily.
Don’t Wait for a Diagnosis
If your A1C is above 5.7%, it’s time to act. But even if it’s not, the habits that prevent blood sugar problems also protect your heart, brain, liver, and hormones. Learn more about prevention and healing. Check out my book, Healing Diabetes with Chinese Medicine. I invite you to reach out to consult with one of our doctors at Tao of Wellness to help design a personalized program to help you or your loved ones reverse rising blood sugar. Your body wants to return to a state of balance. We have the tools to help you get there naturally.