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Blood Sugar Balance Protocol

Updated July 8, 2026

Mark Hyman's Blood Sugar Balance Protocol lowers insulin by cutting added sugar and refined carbs and building balanced plates. Every plate centers on protein, fiber, healthy fat and non-starchy vegetables, with a few blood-sugar-supportive nutrients added in. It's framed around insulin sensitivity and steady energy, not rapid weight loss, since chronically high insulin drives crashes, cravings and long-term metabolic disease.

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The Doctor's Farmacy
Not endorsed · Based on the published work of Mark Hyman
Daily time
Daily habit
Steps
11
Difficulty
Beginner
Sources
2
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What it is

This is the metabolic-health core of Hyman's Blood Sugar Solution work: lower insulin by removing sugar and refined carbohydrates, build every plate around protein, fiber, healthy fat and non-starchy vegetables, and layer in blood-sugar-supportive nutrients. We have intentionally framed it around insulin sensitivity and steady energy rather than rapid weight loss, and left out the detox, purging and daily-weigh-in elements of the original marketing. The supplements form a blood sugar support stack you can follow together or buy item by item.

Why it works
Chronically high insulin from sugar and refined carbohydrates drives energy crashes, cravings, fat storage and long-term metabolic disease. Removing the trigger foods, slowing glucose absorption with fiber, and supporting insulin sensitivity with targeted nutrients addresses the root cause. Reference: The Blood Sugar Solution and Hyman's published supplement guidance.
The evidence
Sources
Published work by Mark Hyman, cited straight to the source: long-form episodes, clips, peer-reviewed papers and their own writing. Select any to view it here.
1
Hyman: the blood-sugar solution (diet and supplement support)
Article
2
The 3 Foods I Eat Everyday To LOSE WEIGHT & Lower Blood Sugar! | Dr. Mark Hyman
Video
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The protocol
Clinical strong human trials Mixed some or emerging evidence Commercial weak or unproven, sold widely Equipment / Test not an evidence claim How we grade →
Remove

Cut added sugar and refined carbs

Remove added sugar, flour and ultra-processed foods and cut back on refined grains; this is the single biggest lever on insulin

Lowering the sugar and refined-carb load is what steadies blood sugar and insulin.

The Blood Sugar Solution
For this step
No product needed
Build the plate

Protein, fiber, healthy fat and non-starchy veg every meal

Anchor each meal with quality protein and healthy fat, and fill most of the plate with non-starchy vegetables; a whole-food protein shake is an easy breakfast

This combination blunts glucose spikes and steadies energy and appetite.

The Blood Sugar Solution
For this stepClinical
Whole-food protein powder
A low-sugar protein base for breakfast
Fiber before meals

Take PGX fiber before eating

2 to 5g PGX (glucomannan) fiber about 15 minutes before meals with a large glass of water

Soluble fiber slows glucose absorption and improves fullness.

Hyman supplement guide
For this stepClinical
PGX fiber
Soluble fiber taken before meals
Stack: Magnesium

Add magnesium

100 to 200mg magnesium with breakfast and again with dinner

Supports insulin sensitivity and is commonly under-consumed.

Hyman supplement guide
For this stepClinical
Magnesium glycinate
Split an AM and PM dose
Stack: Alpha-lipoic acid

Add alpha-lipoic acid

300 to 600mg ALA per day, split between breakfast and dinner

An antioxidant that supports glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

Hyman supplement guide
For this stepMixed
Alpha-lipoic acid
Supports glucose metabolism
Stack: Chromium

Add chromium

200 to 600mcg chromium (polynicotinate) per day

Supports the action of insulin.

Hyman supplement guide
For this stepMixed
Chromium
A daily insulin-support mineral
Stack: Cinnamon

Add cinnamon extract

125 to 250mg cinnamon extract with breakfast and dinner

May modestly support glucose control alongside the rest of the plan.

Hyman supplement guide
For this stepMixed
Cinnamon extract
Taken twice daily for glucose support
Stack: Foundation

Cover omega-3, vitamin D and a multivitamin

A daily omega-3 (EPA/DHA), vitamin D, and a quality multivitamin as the foundation

Hyman's baseline for metabolic and overall health.

Hyman supplement guide
For this stepClinical
Omega-3 fish oil
Foundational anti-inflammatory fats
Optional: Berberine

Consider berberine

Berberine is another option for glucose support; discuss with a clinician first, especially if you take any diabetes medication

Supports glucose metabolism, but interacts with blood-sugar medication.

The Blood Sugar Solution
For this stepMixed
Berberine
Optional glucose support, clinician-guided
Move, sleep, de-stress

Walk after meals, protect sleep, manage stress

A 10 to 15 min walk after meals, consistent sleep, and a daily stress practice

Each independently improves insulin sensitivity, no supplement required.

The Blood Sugar Solution
For this step
No product needed
Track

Measure your response

Consider a continuous glucose monitor, or periodic fasting glucose and insulin, to see how foods affect you

Makes the invisible visible and personalises the plan.

The Blood Sugar Solution
For this stepTest
Continuous glucose monitor
See your real glucose responses
Is this for you?
Good fit if
  • Insulin resistance, prediabetes or metabolic syndrome (with clinician guidance)
  • Energy crashes and strong sugar cravings
  • People who want steadier energy and appetite
  • Anyone who wants to understand their glucose response
Cautions
  • Supplements here are available through Dr. Hyman's own curated store (drhyman.com), and lab testing through Function Health, which he co-founded; he has a commercial interest in these
  • This is education based on Hyman's published work, not medical advice, and is framed for metabolic health rather than rapid weight loss; we do not endorse detoxes, purging, laxatives or daily weigh-ins
  • Important: blood-sugar-lowering supplements (berberine, alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, cinnamon) can cause dangerously low blood sugar when combined with diabetes medication such as insulin or sulfonylureas; work with your doctor and do not change prescribed medication on your own
  • If you have any history of disordered eating, approach dietary change with professional support
  • Supplement doses are general ranges from his public work; follow label dosing and check interactions
Related protocols
Update history
  • July 3, 2026 Protocol published.
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Not medical advice. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Consult a qualified clinician before changing your health routine.
Independent curation. YourProtocol.ai is an independent platform. This protocol is based on the publicly available work of Mark Hyman and is not created, reviewed, endorsed by, or affiliated with Mark Hyman or The Doctor's Farmacy.

Blood Sugar Balance Protocol
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