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Hypoglycemia:  Nutritional Causes, Prevention & Therapies
   
Many practitioners recommend nearly identical dietary lifestyles for people suffering from Low Blood Sugar
(hypoglycemia), and diabetes (hyperglycemia), whereby adequate consumption of Protein and Fiber, as well
as Sodium management, are important considerations to help improve sugar metabolism in both situations.

Sodium (salt) slows insulin response, which with diabetes contributes to poor blood sugar control, however
some hypoglycemic individuals with no sodium sensitivity, aldosterone issues, and generally a disposition for
low blood pressure can use sufficient sodium intake to their advantage, because it diminishes a quick rise
and fall in insulin levels and subsequently reduces those dreaded blood sugar highs and lows they commonly
experience.

Some practitioners place great importance on the Glycemic Index (GI) of any particular food or beverage,
although from personal clinical experience, only the reduction or elimination of simple carbohydrates or sugar
is necessary, while complex carbs, or even most refined carbs don't have to be avoided at all - regardless of
their glycemic index.  (see also Acu-Cell "Sugar & Glycemic Index").

Symptoms experienced as a result of low blood sugar include weakness, mood swings, headaches, irritibility,
nervousness, or nausea with milder cases, and there is the potential of visual disturbances, shaking, anxiety,
sweating, confusion, palpitations, dizziness, aggression, or severe fatigue with more severe cases of low
blood sugar episodes.

Regardless of lifestyle changes or treatments recommended by their practitioners, there are general rules
which patients themselves can follow trying to control the symptoms of both, blood test-verified hypoglycemia,
or reactive hypogycemia (symptoms only):

     •  Meals have to be kept smaller and spread throughout the day.  If possible, individuals prone for
        hypoglycemic episodes should not go for more than three hours without a meal or snack.
        
     •  When consuming complex or refined carbs, they should be consumed with some fat or protein.

     •  Emphasis should be placed on increasing protein intake -- eggs, nuts, seeds, chicken, turkey, lamb,
        beef, salmon, tuna..., or one may consider a protein supplement (if protein tests consistently low).

     •  Evaluating frequently-consumed foods by their potential to aggravate low blood sugar symptoms will
        not only help with meal planning at home, but also with dinner invitations, or when travelling.

     •  Because of its blood sugar-lowering and blood pressure-lowering potential, the sweetener Stevia *
        should be evaluated first on an individual basis, before being regularly used by anyone suffering from
        hypoglycemia, or general glucose tolerance problems.  Feedback has been mixed, with stevia being
        well tolerated by some, but less so (i.e. aggravated low blood sugar symptoms) by others.

Allowed are all foods containing complex and most refined carbohydrates, while simple sugars / carbs should
be eliminated.  Following is a list of simple, refined and complex carbs:

        Simple Carbs  (to be eliminated):
        White / brown sugar, honey, agave nectar, corn syrup, maple syrup, sorghum syrup, molasses.
        Dried fruit, sweet / ripe fruit (bananas, pears, figs, dates, raisins, sweet melons...), licorice.**
        Fruit juices (apple juice), canned fruit (peaches, mixed fruit).
        Manitol, sorbitol, xylitol, and other "...tol" variations, maltodextrin, stevia.*
        Sucrose, glucose, fructose, maltose, dextrose, galactose, trehalose, and other "...ose" variations.
        Candy, chocolate, pop, donuts, cakes, cookies, sweetened cereal and granola, jam, marmalade.

     (Licorice ** is part of the "Simple Carb" group, however it may be somwhat beneficial for some
     hypoglycemic individuals who also suffer from low aldosterone levels).

        Refined Carbs:
        Most refined and processed, but unsweetened grain products, cereal, bread, buns, pasta,
        general baked goods, bagels and granola without added sugars.

        Complex Carbs:
        Legumes, such as lentils, peas and beans.
        Vegetables, such as beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, corn, lettuce, peppers, potatoes.
        Whole grains, white / brown rice, nuts and seeds, including whole-grain flour, bread, pasta, and cereal.

Additional considerations to reduce symptoms of hypoglycemia include the avoidance of Alcohol, Caffeine,
and foods / beverages that contain high amounts of Potassium, which lowers Chromium and Manganese.
This also applies to supplementing high doses of Vitamin C, (which supports insulin and lowers manganese),
and Vitamin B6 (which supports potassium, magnesium, and lowers manganese also).

Adding supplemental Fiber to one's meals - particularly when (simple) carbohydrates are consumed, equally
benefits individuals suffering from hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.  This may include the most common type
of soluble fiber, Psyllium Seed, available in powder, husks or tablet forms, or may consist of a special fiber
blend containing konjac root extract (glucomannan), sodium alginate, xanthan gum, and others.

For Vegetarians, the lower protein content of many vegetarian foods can be a problem, as can be the higher
potassium and lower sodium levels, particularly with beans and potatoes, when compared to animal products.
One option is to place more emphasis on consuming celery, spinach or beets, which have a lower potassium,
and higher higher sodium ratio.
But regardless, vegetables - unless thoroughly cooked - and fruit, provide the least satiety, although baked
potatoes (consumed without any fat) ranked highest on the Satiety Index.  Unfortunately, the ratings were only
valid for the first two hours after consumption.  For ovo vegetarians, having eggs for breakfast provides one of
the best protein bases to help maintain adequate blood sugar control into the day, while oatmeal may be a
reasonable compromise for vegans.
Most Nuts - if tolerated - can, or should be part of a hypoglycemic diet, being an excellent source of protein
for those trying to manage low blood sugar symptoms.  Cashews, chestnuts, and coconuts in particular have
a lower potassium / higher sodium ratio, which helps sustain higher blood sugar levels.
Coconuts (i.e. coconut oil) also contain larger amounts of medium chain triglycerides (MCT), which may offer
nutritional support in a number of medical conditions, including seizures, poor immunity / immunosuppression,
and various malabsorption syndromes.  Nuts, particularly almonds, and sunflower seeds, are also convenient,
non-perishable foods when travelling.

Supplements to consider for Hypoglycemia:
which should be assessed for compatibility and requirements)

   Chelated chromium 500-2000mcg+/day,
   Chelated manganese 25-50mg+/day,
   Niacinamide 100-500mg+/day,
   Biotin 250-2000mcg+/day,
   Choline bitartrate 250-1000mg+/day,
   PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) 300mg+/day,
   Vitamin E 400-800 I/day.

Choline should be used with caution if there is a disposition for water retention (swollen hands or feet), since
it boosts aldosterone activity, which in turn results in sodium retention.  However very low sodium levels can
also result in edema, in which case higher sodium retention as a result of boosting someone's aldosterone
levels is advantageous and can at times lead to tremendous water weight loss. Very low aldosterone types
may consider licorice for its sodium-raising and potassium-lowering effect, provided it does not negatively
affect someone's blood sugar levels. ¤

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Copyright © 2000-2010  Ronald Roth     Acu-Cell Disorders: Hypoglycemia / low Blood Sugar
  
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