Thursday, October 7, 2010

Treat Hypoglycemia With Alternative Remedies

Hypoglycemia occurs when your blood sugar is much lower than normal. If you are suffering from hypoglycemia, your blood glucose levels are not high enough to provide sufficient energy to the cells of your body. Causes of hypoglycemia include diabetes, thyroid disorders, stress, pregnancy, alcoholism and yeast infection. If you have been diagnosed with hypoglycemia, some of the symptoms you may be experiencing are fatigue, nervousness, heart fluttering, trembling in the hands, pale complexion, fainting, poor coordination, headaches, dilated pupils, numbness of the lips or mouth and mental fogginess. Your doctor may suggest Prandin or other medications to manage your hypoglycemia. There are also alternative remedies that may be able to help.


Instructions


1. Avoid eating any kind of simple sugars, including white sugar, brown sugar, fructose, corn syrup and sugars from fruit juices. Check the labels of packaged and canned products you buy from the grocery store, since many contain some form of these sugars and therefore cause your pancreas to produce too much insulin.


2. Modify your diet to include foods that will not exacerbate your symptoms, such as vegetable proteins, complex carbohydrates and foods that are rich in fiber. Eliminate processed foods, junk foods, refined foods, fried foods, salt and other unhealthy foods. Alcohol can wreak havoc on your blood sugar, so it is best not to drink it.


3. Exercise regularly, as this can help maintain normal blood sugar levels. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise you can do, and you should be able to walk at least 30 minutes each day.


4. Take bilberry capsules to help you normalize your insulin levels. Bilberry is a wrinkled black berry with a sweet taste that is native to Central and Northern Europe. The fruit is dried and used for medicinal purposes. You can get it in capsule form and should take it as directed. If you are taking blood thinners or are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking bilberry. Women who are breastfeeding should not take bilberry.


5. Satisfy your sweet tooth with stevia. It is a much more healthful sugar alternative than artificial sweeteners such as aspartame. Stevia comes from a perennial plant that grows in Brazil and Paraguay. You can get it in liquid or powder form. Do not use stevia if you are allergic to ragweed or are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you are taking medications for high blood pressure or diabetes, check with your doctor before using stevia.


6. Consider taking 200 micrograms of chromium picolinate daily, which can aid in normalizing your blood sugar and reduce symptoms related to hypoglycemia. Chromium picolinate is a chemical compound composed of chromium and picolinic acid. If you experience an allergic reaction to chromium picolinate, such as swelling of the tongue, breathing problems or rash, stop taking it immediately and seek medical attention. If you are taking NSAIDS, blood thinners, diabetes medications, H2 blockers or corticosteroids, do not take chromium picolinate without first talking to your doctor. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take this supplement.

Tags: blood sugar, your blood, chromium picolinate, should take, your blood sugar, your doctor