Tips on Managing Blood Sugar Levels Naturally

June 24, 2015 / Posted in: Dietary Supplements, Healthy Food, Helpful Tips, Weight Loss / Tagged: ashwagandha, glucose levels, green coffee, natural, sugar levels, supplements

“The tester looked at me like she wanted to rush me to the hospital.”

A True Story …

I recently attended a local fundraising event with my family. They had a booth set up offering a free blood sugar screening. I decided to do it because diabetes runs in both sides of my family – lucky me. My blood sugar level was 40. 40 = not good. The tester looked at me like she wanted to rush me to the hospital. I went and had a drink and my sugar spiked to 260. Not good again. She recommended I talk to my doctor. I was in denial and talked to my sister (a nurse) instead. She had me moniter my levels 3 times a day for 7 days. End result … not good.

Not “Just because I’m Fat”

My sister convinced me that this was a real concern and not a “just because I’m fat” issue. That is the excuse I have given myself for every health issue I’ve had over the past 10 years. I’m starting to realize it is the diet that is making me fat that is the main issue. There are plenty of thin unhealthy people out there who should also be more aware of the impact what they eat have on their bodies. Eating whole healthy foods and taking supplements for them if you need to is the key. I decided I wanted to take a different approach, an all natural approach if I could, to manage my low blood sugar. So I did some research online …

Natural Blood Sugar Management –

My research has produced some great insight and information on this topic. I came across this blog from Butter Nutrition that details the effects low blood sugar can have on other systems in your body. It can cause issues with your pancreas, your adrenal glands and your liver!

1. Butter Nutrition, and other sites, stress the importance of eating whole healthy foods every two – three hours in combinataion with protein to maintain stable glucose levels.

http://butternutrition.com/blood-sugar-blues

2. This article suggested green coffee as a natural supplement to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Green-coffee-bean-compound-may-help-control-blood-sugar-Study

3. And this site suggested ashwagandha (now available at Perfect Supplements) as a means of regulating blood sugar as well.

http://www.natturabio.com/ashwagandha-why-is-this-herb-so-special/

There are three different types of sugar issues –

1. Hypoglycemia – Low blood glucose levels, usually less than 70 mg/dl.

If you feel these signs between meals you may be experiencing low blood sugar levels.

Shakiness
Sweaty
Dizzy
Tired
Irritable
fatigued

2. Hyperglycemia – high blood glucose levels – higher than 130 mg/dl after not eating or drinking for at least 8 hours.

Increased thirst
Headaches
Trouble concentrating
Blurred vision
Frequent peeing
Fatigue
Weight loss

3. Diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2

Type 1 Diabetes is less common, and occurs when your body does not naturally produce enough insulin to manage sugar levels. Those with type 1 diabetes have extremely high levels and extremely low levels throughout the day and most need insulin injections to manage it.
Type 2 diabetes is most common. It is when the body has trouble producing enough insulin to correctly function. It can be managed by diet and exercise but can also get worse over time and may eventually require insulin management as well.

Are You Fed Up?

I hate that I am now a statistic, but I am. I am part of the growing issue of unhealthy food, obesity and it’s detrimental side effects. I watched an amazing documentary called Fed Up (now available on Netflix) about childhood obesity and the epidemic that is already happening, and frankly it scared me. We need to inform ourselves and help our children. STARTING NOW!

Stabilizing My Glucose Levels-It’s not just a “fat” issue

I have been taking the green coffee daily, trying to eat healthy whole foods every 2 – 3 hrs, and monitoring my glucose three times a day. I have had three great weeks of stable glucose levels. I know there is a lot more to this issue, but I hope this blog might help someone else in the same situation realize that feeling crappy is more than just a “fat” issue. It’s the diet that is making you fat that is the real problem.