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Best Natural Cure for Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia). Includes dietary recommendations to avoid hypoglycemia attacks. Home remedy for low blood sugar. Hypoglycemia may be related to several factors that are sometimes difficult to determine. However, the symptoms of low blood sugar can be alleviated by using natural cures and by adopting a balanced regimen based on a healthy eating, stress management and regular exercise.
What is Hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a disorder of blood sugar metabolism. This condition arises when there is fall in glucose levels in the blood to less than 3.5 millimoles per liter (mmol / l).
The glucose level, which determines the energetic nature of the body, is found in the fruits, rice, cereals and milk and other dairy products, which contain sugar. The food that one eats is absorbed in the blood as glucose. Glucose is converted to energy by insulin which helps the body to stay active and healthy.
Hypoglycemia is characterized by loss of energy accompanied by nervousness, tremor, a compelling hunger and other symptoms. The discomforts disappear as the patient intakes sugar.
Symptoms of Hypoglycemia:
Some may have symptoms like, sweating, trembling, pale face, headache, compelling hunger, drowsiness, absentmindedness, numbness, weakness, dizziness and palpitations of the heart.
Causes of Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia is usually diagnosed in people with impaired glucose tolerance (common in early stage of diabetes), diabetes or some sort of pancreatic disorder.
Excessive consumption of refined foods is a cause for low blood sugar. Lack of nutrients in such foods makes the pancreas; adrenal glands lose their ability to handle blood sugar.
Other causes of low blood sugar may include tumors, disturbed liver, disturbed adrenal gland functions and stress.
If symptoms of hypoglycemia increase discomfort, patients generally take teaspoonful of sugar. However downward fluctuating blood glucose levels, does not require eating more sugar. On the contrary, all dietary recommendations and home remedies for controlling hypoglycemia do not revolve around taking higher sugar intake but in trying to stabilize sugar levels, so that the body enjoys a constant source of energy during the day.
Liquorice root: Liquorice root is a very good natural cure for alleviating symptoms of low blood sugar. Liquorice helps increase blood sugar levels in the body. Cut the root in pieces and add to boiling water and boil this for five minutes, the patient can drink this once a day. Liquorice also relieves stress related to low blood sugar levels. Person with high blood pressure should avoid liquorice as it is known to increase blood pressure. Even otherwise, it should be taken in moderate quantity.
Apple: Apples are very effective for people with low blood sugar as it is rich in chromium and magnesium, both of which are known to regulate blood sugar level. Two apples should be taken after meal everyday for better results.
Wild yam: Wild yam is a very effective natural cure for low blood sugar, as it controls the level of insulin in the body, thereby increasing the sugar level in the blood. Yam should be boiled in water and left for an hour before drinking. The dried powdered root can be made into a paste, and this paste should be added to milk or a glass of warm water and consumed.
Molasses: Molasses is a very useful natural cure for low blood sugar. Drinking extract of molasses provides the required glucose during exertion. Take a little molasses and add to a glass of warm water, drink this at least twice daily to improve blood sugar level.
Food rich in Magnesium: Magnesium helps prevent falling of blood sugar levels in people with hypoglycemia. A healthy adult requires round 340 mg of magnesium in his daily intake. Food rich in magnesium include halibut, tuna, artichoke, banana, dry figs, barley, oat bran, prune juice, milk, yoghurt, almonds, brazil nut, cashew, beans, broccoli, pumpkin seeds, soybean, spinach, sweet potatoes and potatoes.
Food rich in Vitamin B3: Vitamin B3 (niacin) has been found beneficial in regulating level of blood sugar in hypoglycemic people. Food rich in Vitamin B3 include tuna, crimini mushrooms, halibut, salmon, asparagus, venison and chicken breast.
Food rich in dietary fibers: Dietary fibers allow sugars to be absorbed more slowly, which regulate glucose in the blood. Person with low blood sugar should consume around 25-40 g of dietary fiber per day. Psyllium, Oat bran, apple pectin, whole meal cereals and ground flax seed are rich in fiber.
Food rich in proteins: Proteins provide the body with a more consistent source of energy that sugar or fat. This is because they are absorbed less rapidly than fats (lipids) and sugars (carbohydrates). Protein intake should constitute 15-20% of total energy intake while fat should constitute around 30%. Always keep nuts, seeds, roasted soy beans and cheese handy to fill your protein needs on the go. Canned fish like sardines, tuna, mackerel and salmon are great sources of protein and can be added to the diet of hypoglycemia patients.
Other Vitamins: Vitamins like C, E and B complex help normalize blood sugar level in the body, thus making it a very effective natural cure for low blood sugar. The prescribed daily doses are: Vitamin C (2000- 5000mg), Vitamin B (50mg) and Vitamin E (1600 IU). Increase the vitamins intake in the diet, to maintain proper blood sugar levels.
Taking regular small snacks, (about once every two hours) helps prevent fluctuations in blood glucose levels. Snacks should be rich in carbohydrates (15-30 g per snacks), dietary fibers (2-3 g) and proteins (3-9 g). It is important to take a snack early, before feeling the loss of energy. Eat a little more if you exercise.
Concentrated sugars get rapidly absorbed in blood and cause a sudden increase in blood sugar followed by a sharp decline which can be very dangerous. Concentrated sugars are the most important food content to be avoided. One must try to completely eliminate intake of concentrated sugar. If it cannot be eliminated totally, at least it should not be eaten alone. In any case, the amount of sugars should not exceed 5 g per serving.
If there is a strong urge to eat sugar, take sugar-free desserts made from whole meal flour and seasoned with cow’s milk, soy nature and plain yogurt, sweet fruits, fresh vegetables, vegetable juice without sugar and other sugar free sweet dishes.
Other foods to avoid include
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