What is Hypoglycemia - Its Definition and Treatment

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The condition of Hypoglycemia occurs when pancreas produce too much insulin in response to high sugar intake. High levels of insulin lower blood sugar drastically and result in symptoms like fatigue, depression, blurred vision, headaches and nausea. Two key causes of hypoglycemia are poor dietary patterns and stressful living. Nature designed pancreas before the Paleolithic era, when refined foods, sugar and simple or refined carbohydrates did not exist. The current day dietary patterns put stress on the pancreas and adrenal gland which both work to keep steady the sugar levels in our blood. Other factors contributing to hypoglycemia include too much alcohol or caffeine, drinking alcohol on empty stomach, fad dieting and eating very large meals. Medical conditions like kidney failure, liver problems and impaired functioning of the pancreas and adrenal glands also lead to hypoglycemia.

Risk factors

Eating refined carbohydrates and simple sugars can lead to hypoglycemia. Stress can aggravate the condition and combined, it can lead to Type II Diabetes. Everyone must evaluate how high he or she rates towards getting hypoglycemia. If a person has high tendency towards the following conditions, there is a high probability that he or she is hypoglycemic:

• Craving for sweet food items

• Irritability especially if meals have been missed

• Feeling of tiredness particularly if meals have been missed

• dizziness when standing up suddenly

• headaches

• poor concentration and recall

• feeling tired not too long after a meal

• heart palpitation

• feeling shaky

• afternoon slump

• blurred vision

• mood swings and feeling of depression

• being overweight

Avoiding Hypoglycemia

There are three possible ways hypoglycemia can be avoided:

1. changing dietary patterns

2. modifying lifestyles

3. dietary and medical supplements

4. water

Changing Dietary Patterns

Changing dietary habits and patterns can help lose weight, treat hypoglycemia and reduce risk for Type II Diabetes. A diet high in fiber and complex carbohydrate and low in fat, alcohol and refined, processed foods can help reduce the condition of hypoglycemia. Chromium rich foods help in curbing craving for sugar, and these include foods like garlic, onions, soy foods and whole grain foods. Water soluble fiber also helps in improving metabolism and insulin resistance. Foods like nuts, seeds and legumes provide water soluble fiber. Protein sources like legumes and sea foods, and healthy fat sources like olive and flaxseed oil also contribute towards controlling hypoglycemia.



Modifying Lifestyle
Smoking and alcohol are the culprits to giving you hypoglycemia. Avoiding them can help avoid the conditions and problems of hypoglycemia. An exercise program that includes at least 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise will also help control hypoglycemia. Since this condition involves fluctuation of blood sugar, 6-8 small meals through out the day can stabilize blood sugar.

Dietary and Medical Supplements
Protein shakes in breakfast or as a snack can help maintain sugar levels in the blood. Vitamin C supplements (2,000-3,000 mg daily), adrenal gland extract (200-600 mg per day), Vitamin B complex (100 mg daily), minerals like chromium, zinc, selenium and magnesium, Glutamine (500 mg daily), Pancreatin (1,200 mg with meals), royal jelly, Spirulina, chlorella and blue-green algae all help in streamlining blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of hypoglycemia.

Water
Water is probably the fastest way to provide some of the necessary nutrients to the cells. Drinking enough water is akin to washing away the possibility of disease. Since water constitutes 80% of our body weight it pays to see what kind of water goes into our bodies. Normal bottled or distilled water is no longer pure because of the FDA's allowed impurity content in it. Negatively charged water or ionized water is a great way to hydrate the body quickly and it is six times more hydrating than normal bottled water. Its alkaline nature has tremendous health benefits as it neutralizes excess acidity and prevents and treats conditions such as hypoglycemia. Choosing a good Water Ionizer is important.

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By Abdullah Salim and Nedalee Ruiz

Nedalee is the author of The Desperate Parents Handbook

Abdullah and Nedalee recommend Chanson Alkaline Water for more information on alkaline water.

And Healing Water Machines for an impressive selection of water ionizers and unbiased ionizer reviews.

Copyright 2008 By Nedalee Ruiz

Permission granted to reproduce in entirety only including links and author credits

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