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Sacred Vessel Acupuncture & Functional Medicine

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Sacred Vessel Acupuncture & Functional Medicine

Sacred Vessel Acupuncture offers a unique combination of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diet and Lifestyle Coaching, as well as Birth Doula and Acupuncture

Sacred Vessel Acupuncture is a locally-owned natural health clinic serving patients in the Fort Collins and Cheyenne areas. We offer a unique combination of acupuncture, nutrition, herbal medicine, and Doula services to help you achieve your Health and Wellness goals. Our clinic is focused on treating women of any reproductive age, with a strong emphasis on chronic and degenerative diseases, as well as gynecology, prenatal, and childbirth services. Contact us today for more information!

03/13/2026

...according to research. ⁠
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We often think of calcium as just a bone health mineral, but its essential for insulin production. ⁠
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Research continues to show that women who consume more calcium (as well as vitamin D and Magnesium) have reduced risks of GDM later in pregnancy. ⁠
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One study found that women who consumed >795 mg of calcium per day had a 42% lower risk of developing GDM compared to women who consumed

03/12/2026

When we talk about nutrition and GDM, it is usually centered around macronutrients. How many carbs are you consuming, how much protein...etc...as well as insulin resistance.

But, there is another piece to the puzzle that often gets overlooked: how well the pancreas is making insulin.

Insulin helps pull glucose into cells and also prevents the liver from releasing stored glucose.

Several nutrients are required for insulin production, which balances the after-meal glucose levels.

Here are the ones you want to make sure you are focusing on.
👉🏼Vitamin D
Low Vitamin D levels are consistently linked to a higher risk of GDM. Vitamin D helps the pancreas release insulin and also improves sensitivity. Research shows that correcting low vitamin D levels improves insulin production and both post-meal and fasting blood glucose levels.

👉🏼Magnesium
Magnesium supports many of the enzymes involved in insulin production and helps insulin work in the body to pull glucose into cells. Studies show that magnesium status is strongly associated with blood sugar control.

👉🏼Calcium
Much of the function of both vitamin D and magnesium is to help calcium do its job. Calcium is required for insulin production and for the initial release of calcium in response to glucose. Without enough calcium, insulin cannot be produced or released properly.

👉🏼Zinc
Zinc helps with insulin storage and works as an antioxidant.

👉🏼Selenium
Selenium is part of the body's antioxidant defenses, reducing inflammation in cells... this includes pancreatic cells that produce insulin.

These nutrients aren't about "taking more supplements." They are about ensuring you consume foods that provide not only these nutrients but also antioxidants and phytonutrients that support overall inflammatory defenses and glucose regulation.

When levels ARE measurably low, then supplementation is the answer. As always, test, don't guess, and make sure that supplements are the right answer for you.

03/07/2026

Your provider ran a hemoglobin A1c test early in pregnancy to assess your risk of gestational diabetes.

The results came back slightly elevated.

Now, you are wondering, "Does this mean I have blood sugar problems?"

But, here is the real question most women are next told to ask:

Did they also check your Ferritin?

Ferritin measures your iron stores, and this matters when testing HbA1c, because low iron can cause falsely elevated HbA1c, even when your blood sugars are completely normal!

When iron stores are low, red blood cells live longer. The longer they are in circulation, the more sugar attaches to them, making HbA1c appear higher than it truly is.

Many providers use the hemoglobin value on a complete blood count (run with your OB panel at around 12 weeks) to assess iron status. The problem is that hemoglobin doesn't directly reflect iron stores or iron levels. It only tells you how much hemoglobin is present in a sample (not even how much is on your red blood cells - that's MCHC). Hemoglobin usually doesn't change until iron levels are deficient.

Running a ferritin test catches iron deficiencies earlier.

If your early pregnancy HbA1c is slightly elevated, ask your provider if your ferritin has been tested (not hemoglobin in a CBC).

While supplementation may be the right call for you, we never recommend iron supplementation without first assessing ferritin status. Over-supplementation is associated with worsened blood sugar dysregulation and increased preeclampsia risk if given to those who are not deficient.

03/06/2026

Eggs.

Eggs provide a decent amount of iodine, but also not an excessive amount. The thyroid hormones are literally made of iodine. Iodine turnover is high in the first trimester due to increased thyroid hormone production. However, iodine levels can also get too high due to recycling and the breakdown of T4 to T3. Eggs help fill this need without being too high in iodine. Pregnancy increases iodine needs by 50%.

Eggs also provide selenium, which is required for the conversion of T4 to T3, as well as antioxidants needed to reduce oxidative stress and insulin resistance.

Eggs also provide zinc, which helps with insulin storage, as well as the conversion of T4 to T3 with selenium

Studies also show that eggs help balance post-prandial (after-meal) glucose levels. (both high and low)

Eggs are a perfect pregnancy food, providing nearly all of the nutrients needed to grow a baby (it's what they do). Make sure to pair eggs with antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, as well as foods that supply calcium and other minerals.

Eggs are usually well tolerated in the first-trimester, when other proteins are hard.

If you are averse to eggs in the first trimester, my second pick is beans (lentils, chickpeas, lima beans, black-eyed peas, to be specific)

03/05/2026

Every time I talk about the thyroid, I feel like Kostas from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Give me a "condition" and "condition," and I can tell you how the root of that "condition" is "thyroid."

Your thyroid plays a major role in how your body regulates sugar during pregnancy.

New research published in 2025 shows that thyroid hormone levels directly affect the risk of gestational diabetes.

So, is your provider testing your thyroid?

If not, here's what you can do.

🎓️Educate yourself. Advocating for yourself means educating yourself. You can follow me on .maternity to stay up to date on research that fuels your knowledge.

🍳Make sure you are getting enough thyroid-supporting nutrients. This includes iodine, zinc, selenium, vitamin A, magnesium, and iron. Think eggs, dairy, seafood, nuts and seeds, beans)

🥶Pay attention to symptoms. Sometimes thyroid symptoms can tell you right away that something is wrong. Extreme fatigue, unusually cold (you should not be cold in pregnancy, this is a state of excess heat - bun in the oven), thinning hair (hair should be lush in pregnancy), and, of course, blood sugar instability (ups and downs).

🩸Ask your provider for testing. Basic screenings from your standard care usually cover a thyroid-stimulating hormone and Free T4, but deeper testing may be needed and is encouraged.

Be aware that most providers are not trained in thyroid health in pregnancy and are reluctant to order tests they do not know how to interpret. , we offer comprehensive lab testing to evaluate your thyroid function and metabolic health in pregnancy.

Supporting thyroid health is one of the most important ways to support healthy pregnancy outcomes.

If you would like to schedule a free 15-phone consultation to get started, or to understand your options, call the office (970) 631-8119

03/04/2026

...eating fruit in the first trimester.

Most people think GDM is caused by eating too much sugar, and I can't tell you the number of women who have reached out to me, panicked, because they only want to eat fruit in the first trimester, and they are concerned they just caused GDM.

But, the research DOES NOT support this fear!

In fact, we find the opposite.

We find that women who consume the MOST fruits and veggies in the first trimester have the lowest risks of GDM.

Why?

Antioxidants.

Inflammation is the biggest driver of insulin resistance and GDM. When inflammation is elevated, your body has a hard time using glucose at the cellular level, and insulin doesn't function properly.

Eating fruit, which is rich in antioxidants, helps protect against cellular inflammation.

So, before you start to panic because your body is asking for watermelon, fruit smoothies, berries, and other fruits in the first trimester. Remember that several studies have found no association between first-trimester fruit intake and an increased risk of GDM later.

And in fact, studies on preconception diet find that women who had the highest total fruit intake preconception (1 year), especially flavonoid-rich fruits and even 100% fruit juice, had a LOWER risk of GDM.

03/03/2026

At night, your brain releases a neurotransmitter called melatonin. Melatonin production is triggered by darkness (so after sunset).

This hormone signals your cells to sleep so that you can clean up every day's cellular pollution. It also triggers your pancreas to reduce insulin production, allowing you to enter a recovery phase.

Sleep = Recovery

During the day, we are active (physically and biologically). Feeding, moving, and working in a more up-and-down insulin state. This daily rhythm is important for function, but we can't go like this 24/7.

At night, our insulin production drops and then recovers... and what's cool is that it does this even if we are awake. It follows its own circadian rhythm based on the light/dark cycles and internal clocks.

Research shows that poor sleep habits disrupt the normal biological rhythm, increasing insulin resistance the next day.

Here is how you can support this natural process:
💥 Prioritize consistent sleep routines
- Go to bed at the same time (relatively) every night and wake at the same time the next morning, keeping in line with the normal light/dark circadian rhythms. Going to bed at 11 pm is too late.

💥Eat most of your meals during daylight hours
- Your body handles blood sugar more efficiently during the day, and insulin production peaks in the afternoon (it's lowest between midnight and 6 am)

💥Avoid Bright Lights after Dark: Need to reset your internal clock? Start by dimming the house lights as the setting sun approaches. This helps trigger your normal melatonin surge.

Everyone thinks they are a "night owl." But most people are just overstimulating themselves.

For many people, the body gives a fatigue trigger a few hours after sunset... but we don't listen. We "push through." When we do this, we trigger a "second wind," which is a release of cortisol that suppresses melatonin. Sabotaging our own sleep. We read this as "night owl," but our body felt ignored, and cortisol was released to help us "fight."

03/02/2026

...it also uses insulin to control how much stored sugar your liver releases. ⁠
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Your liver is constantly storing and releasing glucose to keep your blood sugar stable, especially overnight and between meals (when you're fasting). ⁠
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When you eat, your body releases insulin in two phases:⁠
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Phase 1 happens immediately and is designed to trigger the liver to stop releasing stored glucose and start storing incoming sugar. ⁠
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Phase 2 helps your cells use the glucose that is being absorbed. ⁠
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You can support this natural process by ensuring you consume enough calcium and zinc in your diet. ⁠
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The best sources of these two minerals are nuts and seeds, and studies show that consuming them preconception helps protect against gestational diabetes.

02/28/2026

While many other causes (such as inflammation, hyperglycemia, and lipotoxicity can trigger insulin resistance, micronutrient deficiencies can also interfere with insulin receptors' function and insulin sensitivity at a cellular level. ⁠
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💥Magnesium is needed for insulin receptor signaling. Low magnesium = low signaling⁠
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💥Zinc acts as an insulin mimetic. It can prolong insulin's action, but it also works on its own to some degree.⁠
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💥Chromium increases insulin binding to insulin receptors, as well as insulin receptor numbers.
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Increasing intake of these nutrients is important for preconception preparation.

So, what foods give you the biggest bang for your buck?

The foods highest in all three are seeds, shellfish, legumes, and certain animal proteins.

Pumpkin Seeds (1/4 cup)
- Zinc 3mg
- Magnesium 150 mg
- Chromium 2mcg)

Mussels/Oysters (3oz)
- Zinc 3mg
- Magnesium 40 mg
- Chromium 6mcg

Lentils/Chickpeas (1 cup cooked, 1/2 cup dry)
- Zinc 2.5mg
- Magnesium 70mg
- Chromium 4mcg

Beef (3oz)
- Zinc 7mg
- Magnesium 30mg
- Chromium 2mcg

Cashews (1/4 cup)
- Zinc 1.6mg
- Magnesium 90mg
- Chromium 2mcg

Almonds (1/4 cup)
- zinc 1mg
- Magnesium 100mg
- Chromium 2mcg

Oats (1 cup cooked)
- Zinc 2mg
- Magnesium 60mg
- Chromium 4mcg

Studies show that including nuts/seeds, fruits, and veggies preconception REDUCES the risk of GDM in pregnancy. More on this later.

02/26/2026

When I say "glucose," I feel like everyone hears "Skittles and cookies." Glucose is a very important energy source for our physiology, and fruit is not the enemy (more on that later). ⁠
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Too little or too much glucose impairs early embryo and placental development. Low glucose intake "starves" blastocysts and placental cells, too much causes oxidative stress buildup and apoptosis. ⁠
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To meet the glucose demand of the uterus and our growing babies, maternal physiology shifts. Increasing glucose absorption, increasing insulin production, increasing glucose sensitivity, and decreasing glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. ⁠
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This creates a temporary state of anabolic metabolism. Acute glucose use and storage. ⁠
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This is one of the biggest drivers of nausea and vomiting in the first trimester of pregnancy.

It is also why you CRAVE carbohydrates in the luteal phase and first trimester. This is not always a sign of disease; it is your body prepping for the possibility of pregnancy.

02/25/2026

Gluco...what-o?

Sometimes it feels like providers are speaking another language when they talk about glucose metabolism... because they kinda are. Most medical terms are based on Latin.

To help you out, and if you are reading my upcoming posts, here are some definitions to help you out.

Glycogenolysis: The breakdown of Glycogen into Glucose-1-phosphate and glucose⁠
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Glycogenesis: The formation of glycogen from sugar⁠
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Glycolysis: The breakdown of glucose by enzymes, releasing energy and pyruvic acid in cellular respiration⁠
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Gluconeogenesis: The formation of glucose from other precursors, such as amino acids. Gluconeogenesis is essentially the reverse of glycolysis.⁠
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Anabolism: The synthesis of complex molecules from smaller ones with the storage of energy. ⁠
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Catabolism: The breakdown of complex molecules to form simpler ones, with a loss of stored energy.⁠
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Fasting Glucose: Serum glucose levels after 8+ hours of not eating⁠
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Post-Prandial Glucose: Serum glucose measured after eating (usually at specific timed intervals)

02/24/2026

In the upcoming series of posts, I'll be doing a deep dive into the physiology of Glucose metabolism in pregnancy. As well as what YOU, the mama, can do to prevent and manage glucose dysregulation in pregnancy.

Want to dive more into the science?

Follow my education page .maternity where we look at the research and explore the depths of biochemistry, physiology, and all these aspects of functional medicine in maternity care.

Address

2001 S Shields Street Bldg H/101
Fort Collins, CO
80521

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 3pm
Tuesday	9am - 3pm
Wednesday	9am - 3pm
Thursday	9am - 3pm
Friday	9am - 3pm

Telephone

+19706318119

Website

http://www.sacredvesselacupuncture.com/

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