Why is Blood Sugar Control so Freakin’ Important?

Blood sugar control is at the heart of all the major diseases that afflict Americans. That is a pretty good reason to pay attention to it.

Here is another. Besides diabetes, heart disease, and some cancers, too low or too high of blood sugar really messes with your hormone system. It is a major player in menstrual cycle abnormalities, adrenal exhaustion, thyroid problems, and male hormonal issues where estrogens elevate and testosterone declines. This can look like men with low drive and ambition with a reduced ability to gain muscle mass and a lack of desire to perform in the boardroom or bedroom and women with major mood problems who grow hair on their face, and can’t lose weight.

Got your attention yet?

Good, because the answers are not in the pharmaceutical field although many doctors think that it is. The answers lie in figuring out why your blood sugar is not balanced, not in what drugs forces your body to adapt to an imbalanced blood sugar state.

So, why is a persons blood sugar imbalanced, outside of a genetic reason?

The biggest reason is what people put into their mouth. How they eat. People are told that to be healthy, they must “eat right”. What the heck does that mean? The details in eating are part of the answer to balanced blood sugar.

People are not told to avoid the fast acting carbohydrate foods that cause immense blood sugar elevations and crashes. This should be apparent but for many people it is not.

People are not taught to eat protein at every meal. They should be. Protein sparks a hormone opposite insulin called glucagon and it tends to balance the insulin surges caused by eating too many fast acting carbs. Thus, less damage is done to your body.

So, how much protein and how much carbs?

Great question!

Generally strive to eat an equal volume of each at any one sitting(unless you eat on the go!)
That was a lame attempt at humor.

Seriously, if you eat a baked potatoe(a fast acting carb) you should not eat more of that than the steak you eat with it. Or, do not eat any more af the hashbrowns you have with your eggs

You do not have to measure these food portions, just eyeball it in terms of volume.

If you follow this rule, you will have generally avoided one of the major reasons for blood sugar imbalance in America today and the potential disasterous consequences.

Blood Sugar Control Myths

If you are concerned about controlling your blood sugar, and you should be, you need to know………

The Great Myths of Blood Sugar Control

1. Conventional wisdom says if you’re not having
symptoms, your blood sugar control problems are not such
a big deal, they’re wrong! If you do not have symptoms now here is a sampling:
Foggy thinking, memory lapses, low energy levels, cravings for sugar,
kidney problems and high blood pressure and cholesterol
levels are just a few of the symptoms you might not be
attributing to unbalanced blood sugar… but should be.

2. Conventional wisdom says low-fat dieting can control your
blood sugar. Wrong again!
Fat is not the cause of America’s epidemic of insulin
resistance, sugar and excess carbs are and most people are in the dark about
it. The average American consumes roughly 32 teaspoons
of sugar each day, much of it hidden in the processed foods
we eat. Ingesting too much sugar is acid-forming and wreaks
havoc on your health leading to unbalanced blood sugar.

3. Conventional wisdom says natural solutions won’t work
for blood sugar. Wrong, dead wrong!
The pharmaceutical companies have plenty of drugs to help
you deal with blood sugar imbalances. The trouble is… the
side effects of some of these drugs can be WORSE than the
disease they’re supposed to treat!
For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
recently mandated the use of a “black box” warning on the
diabetes drug Avandia.
This strong warning label emphasizes the drug, “may cause
or worsen heart failure in certain patients.”
Despite this disturbing admission, an agency advisory panel
voted 22 to 1 in favor of allowing continued sales to U.S. patients!
But here’s some good news. You can balance your blood
sugar naturally, simply by using nutrients straight from Mother
Nature.

Nutrients for Healthy Blood Sugar
It might seem hard to imagine that a few herbs can help you
win the battle of blood sugar imbalance–but it’s TRUE!
Let’s examine each of these super nutrients individually…
Gymnema Sylvestre
For more than 2,000 years, people in India have used the
herb Gymnema sylvestre to help control blood sugar. In fact,
the leaves of this climbing plant are highly valued by practitioners of
Ayurvedic medicine–the ancient system of healing developed
in India and practiced by the renowned doctor Deepak Chopra.
The herb is also called “gurmar,” which literally means “destroyer
of sugar” in Hindi. This name describes the way that chewing the
leaves interferes with your ability to taste sweetness. Because
this amazing herb decreases the sensation of sweetness in many
foods, this may reduce your cravings for sugary snacks. In addition, this versatile herb improves insulin receptor sensitivity.

Chromium
Another weapon in nature’s arsenal of sugar fighters is the
mineral chromium. Chromium aids in digestion and helps
move blood glucose from the bloodstream into the cells for
energy. It also helps turn fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
into energy.
What’s more, chromium is critical for healthy insulin function.
Without enough chromium in your body, insulin just doesn’t
work properly.
Chromium exists in many foods, but research shows that 90%
of American adults have a chromium deficient diet! This could
be a key reason why an increasing number of Americans suffer
blood sugar problems.

Banaba Leaf Extract
Traditionally, people living in the Philippines, South Asia, and
India have brewed a banaba leaf tea to help regulate blood sugar.
Medical scientists believe that banaba leaf’s beneficial effects
on blood sugar are due to its high concentration of corosolic
acid, a natural compound extracted from its leaves.
Corosolic acid mimics insulin by moving sugar out of your
bloodstream and into your cells. And numerous scientific
studies have proven banaba leaf’s effectiveness.

Fenugreek
Modern science is shedding new light on another traditional
folk remedy which delivers excellent health benefits.
Fenugreek is an herb native to the Mediterranean, Ukraine,
India, and China.
Practitioners of Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine
have used the herb for more than 2,000 years. Modern
scientists now know fenugreek helps balance your
cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood glucose.
Fenugreek seed stimulates insulin release. This helps food
sugars reach your cells properly.

BitterMelon
Although it may be unknown to most people in the West–bitter
melon has long been used in South America, the Caribbean,
East Africa, and the Orient as both food and a natural medicine.
And scientific studies prove its value for treating blood sugar
problems.
Studies have show bitter melon could play a key role in
helping to balance insulin in your body and had positive effects
on the serum glucose levels of those taking it–which of course
means healthy blood sugar control.
So if you’ve resigned yourself to a life filled by downing daily
prescription medications, jabbing yourself with insulin, and
praying that you don’t succumb to kidney failure, loss of vision or extremities,

I want to introduce you to these natural compounds that represent a breakthrough for balancing your blood sugar.

Imagine avoiding the dangers of pharmaceutical agents while you:
● Balance your blood sugar
● Control insulin and help your body use it more effectively
● Keep your cholesterol healthy
● Boost your immunity
● Support healthy weight loss
● Eliminate sugar spikes
● Protect your kidneys
● Banish tired, sluggish feelings
● Reduce sugar and food cravings
● Plus, dozens more benefits!

All these powerful nutrients are great for blood sugar control but it does not give you a license to eat sweets regularly or to go long periods of time without eating. Both of these practices will imbalance your blood sugar leading to multiple health problems, not the least of these is diabetes. There is a huge laundry list of diseases and health problems that have blood sugar imbalances as their underpinnings.
So, look to balance your carbs with proteins and take a supplement that has bitter melon,chromium, gymnema and fenugreek. Your body will thank you by performing better in your daily life.

Exercise, Foods and Nutrients for Diabetes

Eating food that is high in fiber and that has a low glycemic index may help to prevent diabetes. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high glycemic index are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Foods with a low glycemic index, produce gradual rises in blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven benefits for health. Diets consisting of foods with a low glycemic index have been shown to improve both glucose, cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with diabetes. A low glycemic diet is good for weight control because it helps control appetite and delay hunger. Such a diet will also reduce insulin levels and insulin resistance.
Research appearing in the Archives of Internal Medicine (Vol. 167 No. 21, November 26, 2007) observed a cohort of 64,227 Chinese women with no history of diabetes or other chronic disease at baseline for 4.6 years. The researchers identified 1608 incident cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus in 297,755 person-years of follow-up. Dietary carbohydrate intake and consumption of rice were positively associated with risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. The higher the glycemic load, the more likely for the subjects to develop diabetes.
Other research appearing in the same issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, used data from the Black Women’s Health Study, a prospective cohort study of 59,000 black women in the United States. Once again, eating high glycemic foods increased the risk of developing diabetes. In this study, fiber intake reduced the risk for diabetes. Cereal fiber intake was inversely associated with risk of diabetes, that association being especially strong for women with a low body-mass index (not obese).

A pre-diabetic condition known as insulin resistance syndrome can be prevented by exercise. Insulin resistance is the mechanism that creates type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome. Type 1 diabetes is often called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes is a situation where the pancreas does not produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is caused by insulin resistance. Eating sugar and starch forces the body to produce a lot of insulin, over time, the body stops responding to the insulin creating insulin resistance.

Insulin resistance is also responsible for something called the metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome x. In the metabolic syndrome, the individual tends to have high cholesterol with low HDL (the “good” cholesterol) and low LDL (the “bad” cholesterol), and high triglycerides. One of the big problems caused by insulin resistance is obesity. People who are insulin resistant tend to be overweight (especially carrying weight around the abdomen) and may have high blood pressure.

Research appearing in the March 23, 2003 issue of Diabetes Care [26:557-562] followed 18 sedentary men and women for six months. Participants exercised between three and seven days each week by walking  for a half-hour.

At the end of the study, researchers examined insulin sensitivity and levels of blood fats, such as cholesterol. None of the subjects lost weight during the study period, but they did enjoy an increase in insulin sensitivity. The researchers concluded that exercise alone increased insulin sensitivity—even without weight loss. The researchers concluded that even moderate exercise, without weight loss or loss of abdominal fat, can improve indicators of glucose and fat metabolism and lower the risk for developing type-2 diabetes.

The most useful herbs and nutrients for help with insulin resistance are bitter melon vanadium, gymnema sylvestre,chromium and alpha lipoic acid. Please consult your health care professional for the right dosages of these products for your particular situation.

Diabetes

Diabetes

A high-fat , high carb diet can cause glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Atherosclerosis, or plaque in the arteries, is the most common complication of diabetes. There is strong evidence from primary prevention studies in non-diabetics that reduction in LDL (bad cholesterol) level and elevation in HDL (good cholesterol) level each reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. It is essential that physicians pay attention to the control of blood fat disorders in their diabetic patients.

Studies of diabetes using high-fiber, high vegetable diets have indicated improvements in blood sugar control and blood lipid profile. Similar improvements have also been noted when foods were selected on the basis of their slow rates of digestion and flatter glycemic responses despite relatively small changes in fiber content. Simple carbohydrates like monosaccharides and disaccharides (monosaccharides and disaccharides are sugars) should be restricted.

High-fiber intake seems to be important. Studies have suggested that an increase in the intake of soluble dietary fiber can lead to decreases in plasma glucose and glycosuria(sugar in the urine) and a reduction in insulin requirements.

There are certain nutrients that can positively affect the person with diabetes. One of them is alpha lipoic acid. It has show in many studies to improve insulin receptors. Another is chromium. Still another is Gymnema, an Indian herb that has shown the ability to reduce insulin requirements and even regenerate pancreatic beta cells

Exercise can improve blood sugar balance in the person with NIDDM (non-insulin dependent diabetes meletus—or type 2 diabetes) and may lower insulin requirements in the individual with IDDM (insulin dedpendentdiabetes meletus—or type 1 diabetes). Exercise usually decreases plasma glucose levels when the diabetes is well controlled. In the poorly controlled diabetic with plasma glucose greater than 300 mg/dL, exercise may actually increase glucose levels.

Be aware of the fact that giving nutritional supplementation to a diabetic taking insulin or other hypoglycemic agent may undermine control. Sometimes the supplementation is actually effective in bringing down blood sugar and if the insulin dose doesn’t change, can create a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) state. The low blood sugar triggers cortisol (an adrenal hormone) production, raising blood sugar. The result is a loss of control of blood sugar levels. To make sure the patient maintains control:

• Make gradual changes. Add one supplement at a time. Start with a low dose and gradually increase it.
• Make sure that you monitor blood sugar regularly.

Food allergy testing and avoidance of allergens may be of value in the diabetic patient.

HEALTH STRATEGIES

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), commonly called “juvenile diabetes”  Priorities:

1. The patient must consume adequate calories to maintain desirable weight.

2. Meal times and the composition of the diet must be consistent from day to day, with the carbohydrate content fairly evenly divided from meal to meal.

3. Simple carbohydrates must be limited to 10% to 15% of total calories.

4. Depending upon the insulin regimen, a bedtime snack may help prevent nocturnal hypoglycemia; midmorning and midafternoonsnacks must be taken if needed, to match the food intake to the peak insulin action.

5. Food must be taken to correct hypoglycemic episodes.

6. Food and fluids must be taken for periods of increased physical activity and during illness.

7. Suggest modifications in the diet for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and/or kidney problems if present.

8. If obese, the patient must follow a program to reduce weight (persons with IDDM are usually not obese).

Non–Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM): This is adult onset diabetes. Obesity and poor dietary habits can cause this. It is a situation where the individual produces insulin, but is becoming insensitive to their insulin. This type of diabetes can be controlled by diet, and the other factors that contribute to reduced insulin sensitivity like cortisol elevations.

General Advice for Hyperglycemia:

• Avoid refined sugar and refined carbohydrates.
• Avoid hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils.
• Finding and eliminating hidden food sensitivities is sometimes useful: Avoiding food that an individual may be sensitive to, like gluten grains and dairy, commonly makes blood sugar easier to control. Testing for and eliminating common allergens is controversial when dealing with diabetes, but is sometimes useful.
• Increase fiber from vegetables and legumes:Vegetables contain antioxidants and fiber helps improve blood sugar control.