How to Maintain Normal Blood Sugar (Glucose) Levels?
Type 2 diabetes is a very common condition, especially in developed countries, such as the UK. It has been estimated that every three adults (in the UK) have prediabetes, which can develop into Type 2 diabetes. Over half of the people with diabetes are not even aware they have it.
What is a Dangerous Level of Blood Sugar?
High blood glucose is called hyperglycaemia. This is when you check your blood sugar and have a fasting blood sugar higher than 7.0 mmol/L or postprandial blood sugar (after eating a meal) higher than 11.0 mmol/L.
Lower than 3.9 mmol/L indicates hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose).
Treatment involves glucose tablets or insulin pumps or prescribed medication.
Symptoms of High Blood Sugar
- Feeling thirsty
- Passing urine more frequently
- Feeling weak/tired
- Blurred vision
- Losing weight with no explanation
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness/weakness
- Blurred vision
- Paleness
- Increased heart rate
- Confusion
- Fainting
Key Causes
- Diets low in fibre (not enough pulses, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains)
- Lack of exercise, as regular physical activity is the best way to burn excess sugar
- Fat around the stomach and visceral fat (hidden fat surrounding internal organs)
- Diets high in bad fats (most commercial oils, margarines and animal fats).
- Foods containing refined sugar, fructose, and high fructose or glucose syrup
- Deficiency of Chromium, Magnesium, Vitamin D, Zinc, B Vitamins, and Antioxidants (such as Alpha Lipoic Acid)
Complications
Untreated abnormal blood sugar levels gradually damages the capillaries, which can lead to life threatening complications:
- Kidney failure
- Stroke and heart disease
- Visual loss/blindness
- Immune system suppression
- Erectile dysfunction
- Peripheral nerve damage
- Poor circulation to the legs
Fortunately, today we have enough scientific evidence to prove that type 2 diabetes is completely preventable and reversible if a diabetic is willing to improve their lifestyle, increase exercise and eat a healthy diet.
Vitamins, Minerals & Antioxidants
Various vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and herbs have demonstrated their abilities to promote healthy blood sugar levels, normal insulin sensitivity, metabolism and energy production.
- Chromium helps our body use sugar properly. It contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels.
It plays important role in regulating metabolism, as it is needed for the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Chromium deficiency contributes to insulin resistance.
- Biotin (Vitamin B7) is involved in normal macronutrient metabolism, including the breakdown of sugars.
- Deficiency of Vitamin D contributes to insulin resistance, due to its effects on insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity.
- Vitamin C has been shown to be beneficial in lowering fasting and post-meal glucose levels.
- Zinc is needed for the synthesis, storage and secretion of insulin. Zinc, like vitamin D, alpha lipoic acid and biotin, play an important role in type 1 diabetes, as it protects certain cells from damage and promotes normal function of the immune system.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid is one of the most powerful antioxidants which enhances glucose uptake in muscles, improves glucose tolerance and increases glutathione levels.
- Vitamin B12, (Methylcobalamin); Deficiency of this vitamin seems to be a very common in diabetics because metformin (popular diabetes medication) depletes B12.
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) plays an important role in normal glycogen metabolism and regulating the release of stored glucose.
- Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) contributes to normal energy-yielding metabolism and the reduction of tiredness. It also preserves immune cell function, in the pancreas and assists in insulin binding.
- Probiotic bacteria can be beneficial in preventing insulin resistance. Research has shown, supplementation with probiotics helped normalise insulin functioning and blood glucose levels.
In addition, probiotic supplements have been proven to have positive effects on heart disease and metabolic disorder parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- Supplementation of Folic acid, Vitamin B6 and B12 is beneficial in reducing specific amino acid levels and may therefore reduce risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Herbs and Super Foods
Many scientific studies confirm the following herbs and super foods may be beneficial in promoting normal insulin sensitivity, healthy glucose levels and carbohydrate metabolism:
- Karela contains several active ingredients including charantin and vicine; an insulin-like compound that has blood glucose-regulating effects.
- Fenugreek acts as an inhibitor and slows the digestion of carbohydrates, which reduces sugar level spikes.
- Cinnamon is high in compounds that have shown a positive effect in reducing blood glucose levels. It was found that the cinnamon can make your cells more sensitive to insulin.
- Purple Rice Extract is effective for the control of blood sugar. Anthocyanin from purple rice extract, reduced the effect of diabetes and helps restores cardiac function.
- Jambolan Seed Extract contains alkaloid, jambosine and glycoside jambolin that slow down the conversion of starch into sugar.
- Alfalfa demonstrates blood sugar lowering, insulin-releasing and insulin like activity.
- Astragalus can effectively control blood glucose and reduce free radicals.
Diabetes Care and Liver-care
Taking care of the liver plays an important role in dealing with diabetes and high sugar levels because the liver produces an insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) which has a similar structure to insulin.
The more IGF-1 factor our liver makes, the easier it should be to prevent or recover from diabetes. By stimulating the liver, to make more IGF-1, we can help diabetics with extreme insulin resistance.
The best way to boost IGF-1 is with Chlorella. It is one of the most effective, natural superfoods to detoxify our body and strengthen the liver.
Also, Milk Thistle Extract, N-Acetyl Cysteine and Methionine, are essential to produce Glutathione, which plays a critical role in maintaining the liver’s normal function and encourages the elimination of toxins.
Any information or product suggested on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Consult your primary healthcare physician before using any supplements or making any changes to your regime.
Related Articles:
Sources
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