Hello and welcome. I’m Renee, an emotional eating and diabetes lifestyle coach and yoga teacher, and this is The Diabetic Toolbox, where we are on a mission to end type 2 diabetes one family at a time through education, support, and empowerment.
If you want to lose weight and lower your blood sugar without restrictive diets or spending hours a day in the gym, you are in the right place. Take a breath, grab a cup of your favorite warm drink, and settle in.
Today, we are continuing our conversation with Day 3: Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and Diabetes. What Women Need to Know.
The Overlooked Connection Between Diabetes and Heart Health
When we talk about diabetes, most people immediately think about blood sugar. But diabetes is just as much a heart health condition as it is a blood sugar condition, especially for women.
Many women are told their cholesterol levels are “normal,” yet they are still at higher risk for heart disease. This is because standard cholesterol numbers do not always tell the full story when insulin resistance is present.
Diabetes often raises triglycerides, lowers protective HDL cholesterol, and changes how your body processes and stores fat. These shifts can happen quietly, long before symptoms appear, which is why understanding your lab work and your metabolism matters.
Why Triglycerides Matter More Than You Think
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. When insulin resistance is present, your body has a harder time using glucose efficiently. Excess sugar gets converted into triglycerides and stored in the bloodstream and fat tissue.
High triglycerides are commonly seen in people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, even when LDL cholesterol appears within a normal range. Elevated triglycerides increase inflammation and significantly raise cardiovascular risk, particularly for women.
This is one reason why focusing only on LDL cholesterol can be misleading.
“Normal” Cholesterol Does Not Always Mean Low Risk
Many women are reassured by being told their cholesterol is fine, yet they continue to struggle with fatigue, weight gain, and unstable blood sugar. Insulin resistance alters fat metabolism in ways that basic cholesterol panels do not always capture.
Important markers to review with your provider may include triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, the triglyceride-to-HDL ratio, and overall metabolic trends rather than a single number.
Looking at the full picture enables you to make informed, empowered decisions about your health rather than relying on incomplete information.
Simple, Sustainable Ways to Support Cholesterol and Blood Sugar
You do not need extreme diets or complicated protocols to support healthier numbers. Small, consistent changes make a meaningful difference.
Balancing carbohydrates with protein at meals helps slow glucose absorption and reduces triglyceride production. Increasing soluble fiber from foods like vegetables, beans, oats, and seeds supports cholesterol clearance and gut health. Movement, especially gentle daily movement, improves insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism.
Most importantly, reviewing your labs beyond LDL allows you and your healthcare team to address root causes instead of symptoms.
Celebrate Your Progress
If this feels like a lot, know that you are not behind or failing. Your body is responding exactly as it has been trained to respond. With the right support, it can learn something new.
Tomorrow, we will continue this conversation by exploring why blood sugar spikes place extra strain on your heart and what you can do to reduce that stress naturally.
You Do Not Have to Do This Alone
If you are tired of managing your blood sugar on your own, guessing what to eat, dealing with energy crashes, and feeling like your body is not responding the way it should, you do not have to keep doing this alone.
The Prediabetes Reset Lab is a private whole-foods and movement coaching container that offers a supportive reset designed to help you lose weight, stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and reconnect with food in a way that feels nourishing rather than stressful.
Inside the program, you receive a clear structure, simple meals, and coaching support so you can feel more energized, see better numbers, and finally trust that what you are doing is working.
Join the Prediabetes Reset Lab and take the first step toward steadier energy, clearer lab results, and a body that feels supported again.
All right, my friend, that is all I have for you today. Please share this post with someone you love who may need encouragement or clarity on their health journey. Let us know in the comments what questions you have about cholesterol, triglycerides, or diabetes, and what you would like to learn next.
Until next time, take care of yourself and each other.
With Peace and Love,
Renee
Disclaimer: The Diabetic Toolbox content is for informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, medication, or fitness routine. Participation in any program, including our Yoga Audio Series, is at your own risk. Your health and safety are our top priorities, and we’re honored to walk this journey with you.
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