Hypoglycemia - Act Now While You Still Can
July 27, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia is essentially low blood sugar levels in the body. This can lead to all sorts of negative symptoms such as, confusion, fatigue, anxiety, irritability, dizziness, memory loss, and insomnia.
But if left untreated, severe hypoglycemia could lead to a loss of consciousness and even a coma. You can see why it would be in your best interests to learn more about the dangers of hypoglycemia.
Many people think that the solution is to eat something sweet, that it will raise their blood sugar level, and the symptoms will dissipate. In the long run this is no solution at all, although the individual thinks all is okay because the symptoms disappear.When your blood sugar peaks too high and too fast it collapses soon after.
It is myths like this that lead to a vicious cycle of unwellness in hypoglycemic patients, who often set themselves up for diabetes.
While many doctors debate whether hypoglycemia is a disease in itself or a form of pre-diabetes, it is better for the individual to ignore the controversies and see the problem as a warning signal.
One point doctors do agree on is that your chances of becoming diabetic dramatically increase when you show signs of low blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia starts with some inability to handle glucose, which then leads to insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance goes with high blood pressure, low HDC cholesterol and abdominal obesity. These are given the name Syndrome X. Such symptoms can be signals to the onset of heart disease.
The problem with the label of hypoglycemia is that most of its symptoms can be caused by other diseases and illnesses. While doctors debate the pros and cons you should take the symptoms seriously and forget about the labels.
Think of it this way. You would not ignore a knock in the engine of your motorcar. You should take it into the garage before it breaks down completely.
The good news is that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) can be fairly easily treated. Doctors might call it (and diabetes) a “chronic degenerative disease”. That is alarming and you may think there’s no hope.
Not at all. Take responsibility. It is probably one of the few diseases that dramatic improvements can occur merely with a change in lifestyle and diet.
With understanding from research and reading simple changes can be made. Fortunately, this need not be expensive and some time spent researching would be well worth the effort.
Thanks to Noel Glass for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
But if left untreated, severe hypoglycemia could lead to a loss of consciousness and even a coma. You can see why it would be in your best interests to learn more about the dangers of hypoglycemia.
Many people think that the solution is to eat something sweet, that it will raise their blood sugar level, and the symptoms will dissipate. In the long run this is no solution at all, although the individual thinks all is okay because the symptoms disappear.When your blood sugar peaks too high and too fast it collapses soon after.
It is myths like this that lead to a vicious cycle of unwellness in hypoglycemic patients, who often set themselves up for diabetes.
While many doctors debate whether hypoglycemia is a disease in itself or a form of pre-diabetes, it is better for the individual to ignore the controversies and see the problem as a warning signal.
One point doctors do agree on is that your chances of becoming diabetic dramatically increase when you show signs of low blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia starts with some inability to handle glucose, which then leads to insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance goes with high blood pressure, low HDC cholesterol and abdominal obesity. These are given the name Syndrome X. Such symptoms can be signals to the onset of heart disease.
The problem with the label of hypoglycemia is that most of its symptoms can be caused by other diseases and illnesses. While doctors debate the pros and cons you should take the symptoms seriously and forget about the labels.
Think of it this way. You would not ignore a knock in the engine of your motorcar. You should take it into the garage before it breaks down completely.
The good news is that hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) can be fairly easily treated. Doctors might call it (and diabetes) a “chronic degenerative disease”. That is alarming and you may think there’s no hope.
Not at all. Take responsibility. It is probably one of the few diseases that dramatic improvements can occur merely with a change in lifestyle and diet.
With understanding from research and reading simple changes can be made. Fortunately, this need not be expensive and some time spent researching would be well worth the effort.
Thanks to Noel Glass for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar levels will not improve on their own. To help you make a decision visit http://www.hypoglycemia-dieting.com while its still easy to make the changes.
Hypoglycemia and Soda’s Hidden Rush of Sugar
July 25, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia
Sodas are the last drink hyperglycemics should pour down their throats
They contain a toxic brew of sugar, caffeine and include tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, artificial flavorings and additives. This toxic mix creates a rush of adrenalin which increases your low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
Drinking sweet carbonated mineral water regularly during the day leads to the body’s check and balance mechanism being unable to pause and work properly. You must not have a constant flow of insulin through your body during the course of your day.
When you repeatedly drink high sugar sodas the body puts out too much insulin and the insulin receptors of the cells lose sensitivity. The result is the pancreas pushes out more insulin. Too much insulin then grabs more glucose out of the bloodstream to send to the cells.
Once too much glucose is taken from the blood, blood sugar levels drop too low and you have hypoglycemia.
But it doesn’t stop there, if you make no lifestyle changes. Eventually insulin receptors are so desensitized that insulin is unable to send glucose into the cells. Your body now has insulin resistance - not something you would want to encourage. If the matter is ignored, eventually you will have an excess of sugar and an almost guaranteed chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
As soon as you understand the serious course hypoglycemia takes, the sooner you will do something about your low blood sugar levels.
It’s your body and only you can make the decision. You will need an understanding of dieting and hypoglycemia that will help you make the changes to your lifestyle. But, above all, you will need information that motivates you to persist in your new lifestyle changes because of the seriousness of where hypoglycemia can lead.
Another problem with carbonated soft drinks is the ratio imbalance of phosphorous to calcium which they create. In the 1950’s the typical American diet was about 3 to 1 instead of 1.5 to 1. But today the ratio has slipped to 5 to 1. This ratio is explained by the huge increase in the volume of sodas drunk.
Because there is no calcium in sodas and the body must maintain a balance between phosphorous and calcium, it leaches calcium from the bones. This decalcification leads to osteoporosis.
Today 10 - 12 million Americans, mainly over 60 years of age, have osteoporosis. This explains the high incidence of broken hip bones and vertebrae.
Another bone softening disease caused by the imbalance of calcium is gum disease.
As soon as you understand the serious course hypoglycemia takes, the sooner you will do something about your low blood sugar levels.
It’s your body and only you can make the decision. You will need an understanding of dieting and hypoglycemia that will help you make the changes to your lifestyle. But, above all, you will need information that motivates you to persist in your new lifestyle changes because of the seriousness of where hypoglycemia can lead.
Thanks to Noel Glass for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
They contain a toxic brew of sugar, caffeine and include tartaric acid, phosphoric acid, artificial flavorings and additives. This toxic mix creates a rush of adrenalin which increases your low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
Drinking sweet carbonated mineral water regularly during the day leads to the body’s check and balance mechanism being unable to pause and work properly. You must not have a constant flow of insulin through your body during the course of your day.
When you repeatedly drink high sugar sodas the body puts out too much insulin and the insulin receptors of the cells lose sensitivity. The result is the pancreas pushes out more insulin. Too much insulin then grabs more glucose out of the bloodstream to send to the cells.
Once too much glucose is taken from the blood, blood sugar levels drop too low and you have hypoglycemia.
But it doesn’t stop there, if you make no lifestyle changes. Eventually insulin receptors are so desensitized that insulin is unable to send glucose into the cells. Your body now has insulin resistance - not something you would want to encourage. If the matter is ignored, eventually you will have an excess of sugar and an almost guaranteed chance of developing type 2 diabetes.
As soon as you understand the serious course hypoglycemia takes, the sooner you will do something about your low blood sugar levels.
It’s your body and only you can make the decision. You will need an understanding of dieting and hypoglycemia that will help you make the changes to your lifestyle. But, above all, you will need information that motivates you to persist in your new lifestyle changes because of the seriousness of where hypoglycemia can lead.
Another problem with carbonated soft drinks is the ratio imbalance of phosphorous to calcium which they create. In the 1950’s the typical American diet was about 3 to 1 instead of 1.5 to 1. But today the ratio has slipped to 5 to 1. This ratio is explained by the huge increase in the volume of sodas drunk.
Because there is no calcium in sodas and the body must maintain a balance between phosphorous and calcium, it leaches calcium from the bones. This decalcification leads to osteoporosis.
Today 10 - 12 million Americans, mainly over 60 years of age, have osteoporosis. This explains the high incidence of broken hip bones and vertebrae.
Another bone softening disease caused by the imbalance of calcium is gum disease.
As soon as you understand the serious course hypoglycemia takes, the sooner you will do something about your low blood sugar levels.
It’s your body and only you can make the decision. You will need an understanding of dieting and hypoglycemia that will help you make the changes to your lifestyle. But, above all, you will need information that motivates you to persist in your new lifestyle changes because of the seriousness of where hypoglycemia can lead.
Thanks to Noel Glass for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
Your body just does not need phosphoric acid. In fact it is dangerous. Visit http://www.hypoglycemia-dieting.com for an understanding of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and the diseases it can lead to.
Seven Surefire Ways to Alleviate Your Low Blood Sugar or Hypoglycemia Symptoms, Today!
June 19, 2009 by Diabetes and Blood Glucose Tips
Filed under Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia
Some of you (especially the older baby boomers) might remember “The Magnificent Seven”, a blockbuster western movie from 1960 featuring an incredible cast that included Yul Brenner, Steve McQueen, Eli Wallach, James Coburn, Robert Vaughn, and Charles Bronson.
Well, this article is NOT about those Magnificent Seven. It’s about seven food items that are downright excellent and “magnificent” for your health, particularly if you’re someone dealing with low blood sugar symptoms or hypoglycemic symptoms. The characters in the movie were good guys, the items on this list are good foods. All seven of them.
Here they are, in all their glory, in alphabetical order:
Magnificent #1: Berries
Fruits, in general, have a high sugar (fructose) content, so if you’re just starting out on your hypoglycemic diet, you may want to limit the fruit you eat – avoid bananas, for instance.
The best fruit for someone dealing with low blood sugar, hypoglycemia, even hyperglycemia, is berries. Berries are lower in sugar and calories than many other fruits, and they’re packed with nutrients.
Take blueberries, for example. Many health benefits have been attributed to blueberries, and they’re also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, dietary fiber, vitamin E and antioxidants. Choose wild blueberries for even more antioxidants than cultivated blueberries provide.
Try blueberries on your cereal, in your yogurt, or blend some into your protein shake.
Magnificent #2: Eggplant
Yes, your mom was right! Eat your veggies for good health! And this one in particular: eggplant. We don’t all eat eggplant, but according to recent research, we probably should.
Purple-skinned eggplant is a good source of phenols, a nutrient that helps your body use sugar more efficiently. Phenols have also been found to help with high blood pressure, and provide antioxidant protection as well.
Try eggplant in Greek Moussaka, a tasty dip, or even Eggplant Lasagna!
Magnificent #3: Fiber
Low blood sugar and hypoglycemia expert Anita Flegg recommends you eat nine handfuls of fruit and veggies and one ounce of nuts every day. Eat only whole grain breads and cereals. These are all allowable hypoglycemia foods. The fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains all help you address one of the most important points of an hypoglycemia diet: Eating lots of fiber.
If you’re eating lots of vegetables, you’re getting good carbohydrates AND lots of vitamins and minerals. Best of all, vegetables are a great source of dietary fiber, especially if they’re raw or lightly steamed.
Dietary fiber is crucial to the hypoglycemia diet. Fiber slows down the absorption of sugars that are a part of all foods and reduces the possibility of a low blood sugar episode later on.
As an added benefit, having your fiber throughout the day means you’ll never be hungry, and it’ll be easier to stay away from sweets. And if you also find yourself losing a little weight, hey, even better!
As hypoglycemics, we should eat our meals – not drink them. Juicers were all the rage for a while, and they certainly had their value. People who would otherwise not eat enough fruits and vegetables to get their required vitamins were at least getting a vitamin boost.
While getting your vitamins is a great idea, juice isn’t the best way to get it. Whether you buy it or make it yourself, juice is a poor choice for hypoglycemics because processing has removed all of the fiber and some of the vitamins (some B vitamins are destroyed by processing).
Without the fiber to slow the sugar response, the natural sugars in both fruits and vegetables can cause a very fast sugar spike. For hypoglycemics, this is a major problem because of the symptoms related to both the sugar spike and the sugar crash that is sure to follow.
If you’re dealing with low blood sugar, hypoglycemia, even hyperglycemia, stick with fresh fruits and vegetables for quality vitamins and better sugar control.
Magnificent #4: Fish
Low blood sugar and hypoglycemia expert Anita Flegg also recommends you eat fish three times per week.
There are two kinds of fish: white fish and oily fish. Examples of white fish are cod, halibut and monkfish. White fish are a great low-calorie source of protein and there are dozens of tasty ways to prepare them.
Oily fish like salmon and mackerel are also tasty sources of protein, and although they’re not particularly low-cal, they have the added benefit of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are great for improving and maintaining the health of your heart, and they’re great for your skin and hair, too. Keep in mind when you get ready to cook it that pan-frying and deep-frying fish, especially at high temperatures, appears to destroy the omega-3 fats.
So go ahead and choose fish. Bake, poach, grill or steam it. It’s delicious and a great source of protein that’ll help keep your blood sugar level steady and you feeling great.
FYI (while we’re talking about fish…) insulin resistance is part of the hypoglycemia problem in that your body has to produce more and more insulin over time to deal with the sugars in your diet. Reversing this is crucial to improving your sugar-handling, and reducing your hypoglycemia symptoms.
Now, did you know that taking fish oil (1000-4000 mg every day) not only lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation, but also improves insulin sensitivity?
And if you just can’t eat enough fish, also add omega-3 fatty acids capsules.
Magnificent #5: Nuts
Go Nuts!… Recent research shows that eating nuts and nut butters at least 5 times a week can reduce your risk of developing Type II diabetes by 27%!
Why “go nuts?” Because they have the top three components to keep your blood sugar steady and improve your insulin sensitivity: protein, fiber, good fats.
It’s recommended to consume one ounce of nuts every day. Looking for ways to add nuts to your diet? Try some of these: add a handful of slivered almonds to your next stir-fry, take a small bag of pistachios or cashews to snack on at work, put peanut butter on your breakfast toast.
Magnificent #6: Rye
I talked about fiber earlier in this article, and new information about whole-grain rye should move it to the top of your list.
According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in December of 2005, when rye bread and pasta were compared to oat and wheat bread and potato, insulin secretion (an indication of the reduction of insulin resistance) increased six times more in the rye bread group than for the other two groups.
This result was supplemented in August of 2007 (Journal of the American Dietetic Association), when it was found that a rye pasta diet actually caused changes in genes linked with Type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome!
The key to understand here is that the biggest risk inherent in being hypoglycemic is that it increases your risk of getting Type II diabetes.
Because hypoglycemia progresses to insulin resistance, and from there to diabetes, it is important for hypoglycemics to maintain and shore up your insulin sensitivity as much as possible, and however you can.
In reactive hypoglycemia, you have too much insulin because of insulin resistance – it takes more and more insulin production to get the cells to respond. That’s when you get an avalanche of insulin that causes a hypoglycemic episode.
As this progresses and gets worse over the years, the risk of developing Type II diabetes goes up.
Whole-grain rye seems to make a difference in insulin sensitivity, so the studies seem to suggest that whole-grain rye products should be good for everyone who is insulin resistant, whether hypoglycemic or Type II diabetic.
Magnificent #7: Tomato
Eat 10 tablespoons of cooked tomato foods every week to get the anti-oxidant lycopene.
Oxidation is a natural process that causes your cells to age. Topping up on antioxidants like lycopene can slow cell aging and keep you feeling healthier.
Anything that helps your overall health will also help your hypoglycemia symptoms. Do your body a favor: add foods containing tomato to your diet.
Eat well, be well, live well!
Daniel G. St-Jean
Editor of Help For Hypoglycemia
Publisher of the Help For Hypoglycemia Blog
Thanks to Daniel St-jean for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
Well, this article is NOT about those Magnificent Seven. It’s about seven food items that are downright excellent and “magnificent” for your health, particularly if you’re someone dealing with low blood sugar symptoms or hypoglycemic symptoms. The characters in the movie were good guys, the items on this list are good foods. All seven of them.
Here they are, in all their glory, in alphabetical order:
Magnificent #1: Berries
Fruits, in general, have a high sugar (fructose) content, so if you’re just starting out on your hypoglycemic diet, you may want to limit the fruit you eat – avoid bananas, for instance.
The best fruit for someone dealing with low blood sugar, hypoglycemia, even hyperglycemia, is berries. Berries are lower in sugar and calories than many other fruits, and they’re packed with nutrients.
Take blueberries, for example. Many health benefits have been attributed to blueberries, and they’re also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, dietary fiber, vitamin E and antioxidants. Choose wild blueberries for even more antioxidants than cultivated blueberries provide.
Try blueberries on your cereal, in your yogurt, or blend some into your protein shake.
Magnificent #2: Eggplant
Yes, your mom was right! Eat your veggies for good health! And this one in particular: eggplant. We don’t all eat eggplant, but according to recent research, we probably should.
Purple-skinned eggplant is a good source of phenols, a nutrient that helps your body use sugar more efficiently. Phenols have also been found to help with high blood pressure, and provide antioxidant protection as well.
Try eggplant in Greek Moussaka, a tasty dip, or even Eggplant Lasagna!
Magnificent #3: Fiber
Low blood sugar and hypoglycemia expert Anita Flegg recommends you eat nine handfuls of fruit and veggies and one ounce of nuts every day. Eat only whole grain breads and cereals. These are all allowable hypoglycemia foods. The fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains all help you address one of the most important points of an hypoglycemia diet: Eating lots of fiber.
If you’re eating lots of vegetables, you’re getting good carbohydrates AND lots of vitamins and minerals. Best of all, vegetables are a great source of dietary fiber, especially if they’re raw or lightly steamed.
Dietary fiber is crucial to the hypoglycemia diet. Fiber slows down the absorption of sugars that are a part of all foods and reduces the possibility of a low blood sugar episode later on.
As an added benefit, having your fiber throughout the day means you’ll never be hungry, and it’ll be easier to stay away from sweets. And if you also find yourself losing a little weight, hey, even better!
As hypoglycemics, we should eat our meals – not drink them. Juicers were all the rage for a while, and they certainly had their value. People who would otherwise not eat enough fruits and vegetables to get their required vitamins were at least getting a vitamin boost.
While getting your vitamins is a great idea, juice isn’t the best way to get it. Whether you buy it or make it yourself, juice is a poor choice for hypoglycemics because processing has removed all of the fiber and some of the vitamins (some B vitamins are destroyed by processing).
Without the fiber to slow the sugar response, the natural sugars in both fruits and vegetables can cause a very fast sugar spike. For hypoglycemics, this is a major problem because of the symptoms related to both the sugar spike and the sugar crash that is sure to follow.
If you’re dealing with low blood sugar, hypoglycemia, even hyperglycemia, stick with fresh fruits and vegetables for quality vitamins and better sugar control.
Magnificent #4: Fish
Low blood sugar and hypoglycemia expert Anita Flegg also recommends you eat fish three times per week.
There are two kinds of fish: white fish and oily fish. Examples of white fish are cod, halibut and monkfish. White fish are a great low-calorie source of protein and there are dozens of tasty ways to prepare them.
Oily fish like salmon and mackerel are also tasty sources of protein, and although they’re not particularly low-cal, they have the added benefit of omega-3 fatty acids. Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are great for improving and maintaining the health of your heart, and they’re great for your skin and hair, too. Keep in mind when you get ready to cook it that pan-frying and deep-frying fish, especially at high temperatures, appears to destroy the omega-3 fats.
So go ahead and choose fish. Bake, poach, grill or steam it. It’s delicious and a great source of protein that’ll help keep your blood sugar level steady and you feeling great.
FYI (while we’re talking about fish…) insulin resistance is part of the hypoglycemia problem in that your body has to produce more and more insulin over time to deal with the sugars in your diet. Reversing this is crucial to improving your sugar-handling, and reducing your hypoglycemia symptoms.
Now, did you know that taking fish oil (1000-4000 mg every day) not only lowers cholesterol and reduces inflammation, but also improves insulin sensitivity?
And if you just can’t eat enough fish, also add omega-3 fatty acids capsules.
Magnificent #5: Nuts
Go Nuts!… Recent research shows that eating nuts and nut butters at least 5 times a week can reduce your risk of developing Type II diabetes by 27%!
Why “go nuts?” Because they have the top three components to keep your blood sugar steady and improve your insulin sensitivity: protein, fiber, good fats.
It’s recommended to consume one ounce of nuts every day. Looking for ways to add nuts to your diet? Try some of these: add a handful of slivered almonds to your next stir-fry, take a small bag of pistachios or cashews to snack on at work, put peanut butter on your breakfast toast.
Magnificent #6: Rye
I talked about fiber earlier in this article, and new information about whole-grain rye should move it to the top of your list.
According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in December of 2005, when rye bread and pasta were compared to oat and wheat bread and potato, insulin secretion (an indication of the reduction of insulin resistance) increased six times more in the rye bread group than for the other two groups.
This result was supplemented in August of 2007 (Journal of the American Dietetic Association), when it was found that a rye pasta diet actually caused changes in genes linked with Type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome!
The key to understand here is that the biggest risk inherent in being hypoglycemic is that it increases your risk of getting Type II diabetes.
Because hypoglycemia progresses to insulin resistance, and from there to diabetes, it is important for hypoglycemics to maintain and shore up your insulin sensitivity as much as possible, and however you can.
In reactive hypoglycemia, you have too much insulin because of insulin resistance – it takes more and more insulin production to get the cells to respond. That’s when you get an avalanche of insulin that causes a hypoglycemic episode.
As this progresses and gets worse over the years, the risk of developing Type II diabetes goes up.
Whole-grain rye seems to make a difference in insulin sensitivity, so the studies seem to suggest that whole-grain rye products should be good for everyone who is insulin resistant, whether hypoglycemic or Type II diabetic.
Magnificent #7: Tomato
Eat 10 tablespoons of cooked tomato foods every week to get the anti-oxidant lycopene.
Oxidation is a natural process that causes your cells to age. Topping up on antioxidants like lycopene can slow cell aging and keep you feeling healthier.
Anything that helps your overall health will also help your hypoglycemia symptoms. Do your body a favor: add foods containing tomato to your diet.
Eat well, be well, live well!
Daniel G. St-Jean
Editor of Help For Hypoglycemia
Publisher of the Help For Hypoglycemia Blog
Thanks to Daniel St-jean for contributing this article to our Diabetes blog:
Daniel G. St-Jean is the Editor of Help For Hypoglycemia ( http://www.help-for-hypoglycemia.com ) where you’ll find much information about hypoglycemia diet (get the FREE eBook 22 Easy, Yummy, and Delicious Recipes for Hypoglycemics) and he’s the publisher of Help For Hypoglycemia Blog ( http://www.help-for-hypoglycemia-blog.com ). Both provide information and resources for people with hypoglycemia. Note: this article was inspired by Anita Flegg, author of Hypoglycemia: The Other Sugar Disease.
