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Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a condition where blood sugar reaches lower than normal levels. Normally the body maintains the blood sugar levels within a narrow range through the coordinated efforts many different organs/systems in the body. When these systems are disrupted or overloaded low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or high blood sugar (diabetes) can result.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar can be at the root of many health problems. These go beyond the obvious problem of feeling weak, dizzy or headachy if meals are delayed. People who are hypoglycemic tend to have problems with their adrenal glands (the glands that respond to stress). Hypoglycemia is often a component of many health problems like allergies, asthma, fatigue, low back and other joint pain, insomnia, ADD/ADHD, obesity, sugar and other food cravings, migraine and other headaches, and depression. Not all people who are hypoglycemic have these problems, but people with these problems are often hypoglycemic. Correcting hypoglycemia is a very important step to restoring your good health.

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause fatigue, depression and sugar cravings. The history form you’ve filled out gives your doctor a very good idea if you are hypoglycemic. You can verify it with laboratory tests, but hypoglycemia is easy to treat with diet.

Hypoglycemia is both a cause of certain health problems and the effect of other health problems. It can cause fatigue, depression, dizziness, sugar cravings, obesity and headaches. It can be caused by dysbiosis, digestive problems, stress and adrenal problems, nutrient deficiency, allergies and poor eating habits. Getting your blood sugar under control will help you to feel better. Dr. Hokaye mwill help you with strategies and nutritional supplementation to balance your blood sugar, and address the root causes.

Possible Signs and Symptoms:

If you are hypoglycemic, you may or may not have the symptoms listed below. If you do suffer from any of the symptoms listed below, getting your hypoglycemia under control may give you relief.

Fatigue

Depression

Dizziness

Sugar Cravings

Obesity

Headaches

Anxiety

Mood Swings

Confusion

Occasional Shakiness

Excessive Hunger

Tired or Weak If Meals Delayed

PMS

Heart Palpitations

Possible Underlying Causes:

A diet too high in sugars/carbohydrates, this is the most common cause

Skipping meals

Dysbiosis

Digestive Problems

Adrenal Problems

Nutrient Deficiency

Allergies

Stress

Health Strategies

Dietary/Lifestyle Guidelines

Consumption of the Standard American Diet; rich in sugar, refined carbohydrates, and processed foods is the main culprit in hypoglycemia Below are some dietary strategies to help you.

Avoid refined sugar and refined carbohydrate. Some refined foods have a relatively low glycemicindex, but they deplete the B vitamins necessary for carbohydrate metabolism. Avoid foods that have a high glycemic index, see chart below.

Eating adequate protein will help you balance your blood sugar.

Eat small, frequent meals: If you are symptomatic when meals are delayed. This is a short-term solution. Initially eating in anticipation of your blood sugar dropping will bring your symptoms under control and reduce the craving for refined sugar. Between meals, your snack of choice is protein. Ultimately, you will want to get any symptoms you get from not eating under control and be able to follow the following rules: 1) Eat an adequate breakfast, and make sure that it contains protein. 2) Eat slowly, chew your food thoroughly. 3) Make sure that there are 5-6 hours between breakfast and lunch, and 5-6 hours between lunch and dinner; with no snacking. If you still need to snack, your health care practitioner will help you with supplementation and eating strategies. 4) Do not eat between dinner and bedtime.

Eat food with a low glycemicindex (see the page with the glycemic index chart).

Exercise regularly: Exercise increases your muscles’ demand for fuel, helping to normalize your blood sugar problems. Schedule a consultation to discuss exercise or any other health issue

Glycemic Index

The glycemic index is a measure of how much blood sugar-stress is inherent with a food. If a food has a high glycemicindex, it will cause the body to produce a lot of insulin in response to its consumption. Commonly, an individual with hypoglycemia will produce too much insulin and the blood sugar will drop precipitously. The individual then craves sugar or carbohydrate to increase the blood sugar, which triggers more insulin and so on. Eating food with a low glycemic index and eating frequently will help to stop the sugar/insulin roller coaster. Generally, avoid foods with a glycemic index more than 95.

Food Categories

Index

Grains

White bread

100

Whole wheat bread

White rice

White pasta

Whole wheat pasta

Corn flakes

119

Shredded wheat

Rye bread

All-bran cereal

Oatmeal

Potatoes

Baked potato

135

Instant potatoes

116

New potatoes

Yams

Sweet potato

Legumes

Sweet peas

Canned, baked beans

Kidney beans

Butter beans

Garbanzo beans

Lentils

Soy Beans

Dairy Products

Yogurt

Whole milk

Skim milk

Ice cream

Fruit

Raisins

Banana

Orange juice

Orange

Grape

Apple

Pear

Peach

Grapefruit

Plum

Sweeteners

Maltose

152

Glucose

138

Honey

126

Sucrose

Fructose

It must be stressed that glycemic index is not the only consideration when choosing foods to improve hypoglycemia. Whole foods with all of the vitamin and mineral cofactors are important sources of the nutrients necessary for restoring the body’s biochemistry. Feel free to schedule a consultation and discuss this or any other health topic.

Nadine Hokayem, N.D. Naturopathic Doctor 167 East Ave. Norwalk, CT. 06851 ph.(203)831-2896 fax.(203)831-2898

e-mail me MyHealth@MedicineByNature.com

Fairfield county CT., Norwalk, Westport, Darien, Southport, Stamford

Homeopathy, Botanical (Herbal)Medicine, Nutrition, Acupuncture, Heavy metal Chelation, Bio-identical hormone replacement