Employee Health Screening

Americans on average consume large amounts of sugar daily. This is a big problem in our society because increased sugar intake leads to numerous health problems. If you do not reduce the amount of sugar you consume, you may put yourself at risk for developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. Sugar can be consumed in moderation, but to live as healthy as possible it is recommended to stay away from sugar as much as you can. If you are interested in eliminating sugar from your diet, a great place to start is with sugar substitutes. Sugar substitutes are beneficial to your health because they allow you to avoid the added calories provided by sucrose, that is table sugar.

Reasons to Prevent Sugars

Heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure are all serious problems that affect Americans daily, but child obesity is a new problem in America. This is a serious problem because it can lead to further health problem later in the child’s life. A study  performed by researchers at Columbia Univ. Mailman School of Public Health found that kids and teens consume sugar-sweetened beverages regularly and these drinks provide an extra 356 calories each day. The main cause of weight-gain is the added calories provided by sugar. Sugar is present in many foods and drinks that are consumed every day and most people eat more sugar than they realize. In order to help reduce the amount of sugar consumed daily; the following is a list of reasons for reducing sugar consumption a healthy alternative such as Splenda.

Research on Excessive Sugar Consumption

Research published in the United States has found that those who drink a cup of soda a day have an increased risk of gaining weight or developing type 2 diabetes than those who consume a cup per month. This study has also proven that type 2 diabetes and obesity are caused by sugar and high fructose corn syrup. This is the main reason one should consider a sugar substitute because more Americans are trying to live healthier lives by limiting sugars. It is also not necessary to sacrifice the flavor of your food and drinks. There are many types of sugar substitutes available on the market; you just need to find one that is best for you.

Sugar Free Alternatives to Sugar

Sugar-free foods might contain an ingredient called polyols. Polyols provide the quality of sugar based foods without the negative health risks. The main benefits of picking foods sweetened with polyols are that they taste like sugar, provide less calories, and the United States  Food and Drug Administration is allowing foods that use polyols to provide the claim “does not promote tooth decay.”

Splenda as a Sugar Alternative

Splenda, the artificial sweetener is a well-liked product that could benefit  one’s health significantly. Splenda contains zero calories and it’s beneficial to those who suffer from heath issues. One disease specifically that can be caused by sugar intake is diabetes. Diabetes is an disease that affects many Americans and those with the disease have to be extra careful not to consume too much sugar.

Diabetes is a disease where blood sugar levels become abnormally high. This results in those suffering from type 1 diabetes to inject insulin into their blood. Many who suffer from diabetes have switched to sugar substitutes because of the low carbohydrates and low amounts of calories present in these products. Artificial Sweeteners are also highly beneficial to diabetics because they offer the flavor of sugars without raising blood sugar levels.

Sugar Substitutes are Great for Cooking

When it comes to cooking and baking, sugar is an important ingredient. Because of the health risks associated with sugar, you may want to consider a sugar substitute such as Splenda. Splenda acts like a sugar and allows you to bake or cook your favorite meals without sacrificing the flavor provided by sucrose.

Many consume sugar daily and this provides added risks of serious health problems. Switching from sucrose to Splenda can change your life completely by lowering your chance of developing heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. These problems come from the extra calories present in table sugar. Artificial sweeteners also help reduce one’s blood sugar by helping to control diabetes. There are many ways to avoid these health issues and the simplest is to avoid products with large amounts of sugar. There are numerous recipes available to help you begin the path to healthy no-sugar baking. You could also want to begin by considering the substitution of sugar with Splenda or other artificial sweeteners.

Next time you decide to eat a candy bar or drink a soft drink, remember the health problems associated with excessive sugar consumption or choose sugar alternatives as your sweetener. Although sugar in small amounts is not dreadful for your health, it is best to avoid it altogether.

Diabetes is now becoming increasingly widespread across both adults and children. A lot of this is down to obesity and the vast amounts of sugar and refined white flour that is in our diet these days, but how do we know if we have diabetes and what are the signs of diabetes we need to look out for?

Well first of all lets get an understanding of what diabetes is. The first thing we need to understand is that there are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, and type 2 when the body’s cells don’t respond well to insulin. Both result in high blood sugar levels because the body is unable to process the available glucose. At one time type 1 was known as juvenile diabetes as it was mainly found in younger people, and type 2 was expected to be found in older people, but this is not necessarily the case now.

At present it’s not really known what causes type 1, but it occurs when the immune system attacks the insulin-producing part of pancreas. With this form of diabetes, the beta cells of the pancreas no longer make insulin because the body?s immune system has attacked and destroyed them, this leads to this form of diabetes being controlled mainly by insulin injections.

Type 2, that is probably now the most common kind, is often caused by poor diet and obesity. Quite often you can control this type of diabetes with a combination of dietary treatment , tablets and injections and, frequently, insulin supplementation.

So now we know what the diabetes type are what are the signs of diabetes to look out for?

The signs can be very similar in both type 1 and 2 due to the drop in blood sugar levels. This could be down to a lack of insulin production, no production at all or simply, insulin resistance. The symptoms to watch out for are as follows

Extreme thirst

Frequent urination ? especially at night

Tiredness

Unexplained weight loss

Blurred vision

If you spot these symptoms happening to you consistently, then you have to see a doctor as soon as you can. Whilst diabetes is very treatable, it’s also very severe if left untreated and can lead to blindness, amputation, heart disease, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction and other problems.

Small-blood-vessel disease (microangiopathy) is responsible for many problems related to the kidneys (nephropathy), to the eyes (retinopathy), and to some degree to the muscle of the heart (cardiomyopathy). (While heart disease is associated mainly with macroangiopathy, some microangiopathy also occurs.)

Kideny Damage (Nephropathy) Nephropathy may be associated with infection of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. Infection of the urinary tract is common in people with diabetes because of sugar in the urine and/or because urine may be kept in the bladder as a result of neuropathy. If the infection starts in the bladder and either occurs again again or goes up the ureters to the kid, neys, damage to the kidneys may occur. Any damage to the kidneys will eventually result in decreased kidney function. Diabetic nephropathy (damage of the kidney) is often a result of blood, vessel damage, with scarring of the filtration system of the major part of the kidney. This may be caused by thickening (and thus weakening) of membranes in the blood, vessel walls as a result of elevated blood, blood sugar levels. Bleeding could occur, or protein could leak from these blood vessels.

Checking for protein in the urine helps in early detection of renal disease (note, however, that protein in the urine isn’t always due to kidney damage but can also be due to some other stressor, such as infection or intense exercise). Control of hypertension is extremely important, as is prompt treatment of any urinary tract infection.

Where kidney damage has occurred, renal dialysis (washing the blood out through the use of a machine) or, as a last resort, renal transplant now offers hope of improved quality and quantity of life. Improved tissue, matching techniques and new immunosuppression drugs (medicine to keep the recipient from rejecting the transplant) have resulted in more successful transplantation.

Diabetic nephropathy is detected by finding protein in the urine. If there is a small amount of protein (called microproteinuria), the condition can be reversed by careful control of blood sugar and blood pressure, especially with drugs called ACE inhibitors. But if there is a large amount of protein in the urine (called gross protein, uria), then it’s too late and the condition can only be slowed, not stopped, and kidney failure is inevitable. Therefore, be sure your doctor follows the ADA guidelines and measures microprotein or microalbumin at least once and preferably twice a year. It is a simple and inexpensive test and can save your kidneys and possibly your life.

Retinopathy may occur in various stages, the earliest of which are more reversible. Stage I involves the formation of a microaneurysm, which is the ballooning of a weak wall of a blood vessel. Microaneurysms may burst and hemorrhage. Exudates, or defined yellow spots, can sometimes be seen. While these were once thought to be fat or lipid deposits, they have actually been found to be scars from areas of bleeding in the retina. Stage II involves new vessel formation, hemorrhage, and scarring. Once this has occurred, it’s impossible to reverse the condition. However, stabilization is possible through laser treatment.

The lens of the eye may also have problems. In the presence of higher blood sugar levels, the lens can become more translucent than transparent, and osmotic changes (the pulling of fluid into the lens) can result in a cataract. This leads to blurring of vision. The cataract can be easily removed and a new lens transplanted.

If hemorrhage (bleeding) has occurred in the eye, the fluid in the eye may become cloudy. Removal and replacement of this fluid may restore clear vision and can also help to remove scarlike membranes that have formed on the retina.

If there is too much pull on the retina, as can occur because of multiple bleeding episodes and subsequent scarring, the retina may pull away from the back wall of the eye. Retinal detachment can be corrected.

Retinopathy need not inevitably cause blindness. When retinopathy is discovered early and treated vigorously, vision can be preserved; therefore, have a dilated eye exam at least once a year according to ADA guidelines.

Type 1 and 2 diabetes is a major deal in the United States. Statistics show that more than 14.6 million people are diagnosed with diabetes each year. There are many ways to fight this disease, however, many people simply give up. Exercise has been proven to treat diabetes along with proper diet. Here are a few benefits of exercise for anybody living with diabetes.

1) Exercise increases insulin sensitivity.

The big problem for Type 2 diabetics is insulin insensitivity. By exercising you are able to improve how well your insulin works. This will ultimately help you to control your blood blood sugar levels.

Remember, there are 2 types of diabetes. Type I diabetes is when the pancreas makes too little or no insulin. A personal with diabetes type I’ll have to inject insulin throughout the day in order to control their glucose levels. Type II diabetes is characterized by the pancreas not producing enough insulin to control glucose levels. It can also mean that the cells are not responding to the insulin. Whenever a cell does not respond to insulin, it’s commonly known as insulin resistance.

The risk factors for type II diabetes include a feeling of laziness, high cholesterol, obesity, and hypertension. Just by being lazy the person will have a very strong risk factor that has been proven to lead to type 2 diabetes. When a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, they are told to exercise and diet in order to help with their insulin resistance.

A few things they should follow when dieting is to eat a low-fat diet and limit calories from saturated fats. The recommendations also include eating complete sources of protein, and limiting calories from protein. It is worth noting that protein plays an added role in a diabetic diet. Protein can actually gradually transform into glucose. Consuming appropriate amounts of protein can help a person who’s either type I or II diabetes to manage their glucose levels.

If dieting and exercise does not work, then medication will be prescribed by the doctor.

2) Exercising will improve your cholesterol levels.

Exercise helps by raising the good cholesterol and lowering the bad. This is good news for diabetics because they are always at increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Exercise causes the body to process glucose much faster. This will in turn lower blood sugar dramatically. The more intense the exercise, the faster the body will burn glucose.

3) Exercise will strengthen your heart..

Cardiovascular exercise is a major benefit to diabetics. With a stronger heart you will be able to exercise much harder. You will be able to go throughout your day and carry out tasks much easier. Many people do not exercise because they feel as though they do not have the energy. One key to remember is that exercise will give you energy.

4) Exercise can decrease blood pressure.

Many diabetics also have high blood pressure. Exercising can decrease your blood pressure when you are resting or exercising. Be sure to keep in mind that your heart is responsible for pumping blood throughout your entire body. This is also very important for reducing your chances of heart disease and stroke.

5) Exercise can improve your mood.

Diabetes can be a very stressful disease on whoever who lives with it. One thing excellent about exercising for whoever is that you feel really good about yourself. Exercise can even improve depression. Depression has been found to be a major cause of suicide. Yes, you have diabetes, but it does not mean you cannot lead a normal life.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is generally a genetic disease passed on through generations of a family. It can affect kids and adults alike, but most often begins in childhood and is carried through adulthood. The body produces only a small amount of insulin, if any at all. Consuming excessive amounts of sugar can worsen the natural disruption caused by this specific classification.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes often occurs because of a poor diet combined with lack of exercise. This classification most often occurs in adults over the age of 35, but the number of children getting this disease is rising because of poor food options and lack of exercise. A handful of people who contract type 2 diabetes are predisposed to it because of genetics.

Gestational Diabetes

Pregnant women sometimes experience a brief interaction with diabetes during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes. It happens in the second trimester and, in most cases, disappears after the baby is born. It is very important for a woman to keep in close contact with her obstetrician when this disease occurs. Gestational diabetes puts an expectant mother at higher risk for developing permanent type 2 diabetes. The risk for gestational diabetes in future pregnancies is higher, as well. The cause of gestational diabetes isn’t completely known, but there is a theory. Hormones from the placenta may be blocking the insulin that is being produced, causing the insulin not to be able to do its job properly.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms of diabetes can be unnoticeable or mild in the early stages. Often, diabetes isn’t diagnosed until blood tests confirm the results. Symptoms of diabetes might include one or more of the following:

o  Frequent urination

o  Excessive thirst

o  Nausea

o  Blurred vision

o  Fatigue

o  Excessive weight loss, even if eating a normal amount of food

o  Tingling of the hands and/or feet

o  Ulcers (skin sores) that don’t heal

o  Acquiring frequent infections

When to Seek Specialist Help

If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you ought to contact your physician as soon as possible. Even if you do not have diabetes, these can be symptomatic of other potential diseases. You should have blood tests performed on a regular basis if diabetes runs in your family. Sugar levels are something that doctors check on a each year basis, so getting a regular physical is something everybody should do.

There are 17 million diabetics in the United States and 80 million more who are in some stage of insulin resistance. A diet high in carbohydrates and lack of nutrition are the two main factors in creating insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a “pre-diabetic” condition, which, when it gets extreme, becomes type 2 diabetes. Below are two doctors clarifying how this condition develops and its effects on the body:

When cells become resistant to insulin, the receptors on their surfaces designed to respond to insulin have begun to malfunction.

It simply means that the receptors require more insulin to make them work properly in removing sugar from the blood. Whereas before they needed just a touch to lower it, now they need a continuous supply of excess insulin to keep blood sugar within normal range.

As time goes by, blood sugar rises higher and stays up longer after the carbohydrate meal despite the immense amount of insulin mustered to lower it. Bear in mind that were your doctor to check blood sugar during this stage of developing insulin resistance, your blood sugar would be perfectly normal. The major silent change taking place is the ever-growing quantity of insulin needed to keep it that way.

excerpted from Protein Power by Doctors Michael and Mary Eades

“The liver becomes resistant first, then the muscle tissue, then the fat. What’s the effect of insulin on the liver? It is to suppress the production of sugar by the liver.

The sugar floating around in your body at any one time is the result of two things, the sugar that you have eaten and how much sugar your liver has made. When you wake up in the morning it’s more of a reflection of how much sugar your liver has made. If your liver is listening to insulin properly it won’t make much sugar in the middle of the night. If your liver is resistant, those brakes are lifted and your liver starts making a bunch of sugar so you wake up with a bunch of sugar.”

“The next tissue to become resistant is the muscle tissue. What’s the action of insulin in muscles? It allows your muscles to burn sugar for one thing. So if your muscles become resistant to insulin it can’t burn that sugar that was just manufactured by the liver. So the liver is producing too much, the muscles can’t burn it, and this raises your blood sugar.

Well the fat cells become resistant, but not for a while. It is only after a while that they become resistant. It takes them longer. Liver first, muscle second, and then your fat cells.”

“So for a while your fat cells retain their sensitivity. What’s the action of insulin on your fat cells? To store that fat. It takes sugar and it stores it as fat. So until your fat cells become resistant you get fat, and that is what you see. As people become more and more insulin resistant, they get fat and their weight goes up.

But eventually they plateau. They could plateau at three hundred pounds, two hundred and twenty pounds, one hundred and fifty pounds, but they will eventually plateau as the fat cells protect themselves and become insulin resistant.”

“As all these major tissues, this massive body becomes resistant, your liver, muscles and fat, your pancreas is putting out more insulin to compensate, so you are hyperinsulinemic [having an abnormally high level of insulin in the blood] and you’ve got insulin floating around all the time.

Insulin floating around in the blood causes a plaque build up. Insulin causes the blood to clot too readily. Insulin causes cells that accumulate fatty deposits. Every step of the way, insulin’s got its fingers in it and is causing cardiovascular disease. It fills it with plaque, it constricts the arteries, it increases platelet adhesiveness and ability of the blood to coagulate [clot]. Any known cause of cardiovascular disease, insulin is a part of.”"”

If you want to know if insulin sensitivity can be restored to its original state, well, perhaps not to its original state, but you can restore it to the state of about a ten year old.

You can increase sensitivity by diet and a lot of supplements.

Why is blood sugar so important for your body? Energy. That’s right. Blood sugar provides the body with energy that your body needs to function properly. Glucose (comes from sugar) helps fuel and replenish the body so that it processes like it should. Besides giving your body energy and stabilizing it, you may ask, “Why is blood sugar really important?” Here’s why: High or low levels of blood sugar can actually be dangerous to your health. Unusual amounts of blood sugar can lead to sweating, dizziness, confusion, shaking, seizures, a fast heart rate, and other complications. A couple of well-known blood sugar disorders are Diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Blood sugar levels can depend on

(1) overeating

(2) unhealthy eating

(3) lack of exercise

(4) stress

(5) medication and

(6) by disease or infection.

Now you’re probably thinking, “What’s the best way to combat all that?” A healthy diet and exercise will help you maintain normal glucose levels. Choosing the right foods to eat and exercising regularly will balance your glucose levels so they don’t skyrocket on you. This does not mean you can’t enjoy all the foods you’ve loved your whole life. There are natural and safe substitutes that will allow you to keep the “sweet” in your diet.

Xylitol, a common sugar alcohol, is a naturally occurring substance that looks and tastes like sugar, but is healthier for you. Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are commonly used as sweeteners and bulking agents. Table sugar and other carbohydrates can elevate blood sugar to unhealthy levels or cause reactions to the insulin that is subsequently produced. The great thing about xylitol is that it’s absorbed into the blood stream much slower than table sugar and other carbohydrates and that means it carries 40% less calories.

Sugar alcohol comes in a variety of forms (e.g., xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, and others). These can be found in an assortment of foods such as soft drinks, candy, chewing gum, cookies, and many other “sugar-free products.” Xylitol is crystalline in form and a normal substance found in everyday metabolism. The FDA has given xylitol its safest rating as a food additive which means it’s perfectly healthy and safe for human consumption. It’s even safe to consume for those with diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Blood sugar and sugar alcohol are closely related to stabilizing, maintaining, and assisting the body process and function properly. If not closely watched, blood sugar levels in the body can cause serious health issues. Sugar alcohols can help reduce calories and keep blood sugar levels in areas that they need to be so that you can live a healthier and more energetic life.

Diabetes. High blood sugar. Isn’t that an â..old people’ disease? Doesn’t that only cause problems for your grandparents or other elderly relatives and friends? Is that the disease where you have to give yourself shots every day? That’s the disease that you get from eating too much sugar, right? Isn’t it true that only fat people get that illness?

Before we go much further, let’s go over some basics about diabetes. First, about 5.5 million Americans are currently being treated for diabetes. Studies imply that 5 million more Americans have undetected diabetes and another 20 million have an impaired glucose tolerance that may lead to diabetes. That’s a significant amount of people. The National Institutes of Health state that millions of people lose their vision annually due to undetected diabetes. Most important to note is that the third leading cause of death in the United States is the complications of diabetes.

There are two different forms of diabetes and it’s not the Type I and Type II that you always hear about. The first form is called Diabetes Insipidus. This kind of diabetes is very rare and has two causes. There may be a low level of a hormone called vasopressin or the kidneys cannot effectively respond to the vasopressin. The key symptoms of this metabolic malfunction are an extreme thirst and high urine output.

The more common form of diabetes is called Diabetes Mellitus. It is the result of a problem with the pancreas and its production of insulin. The body’s blood sugar level is dependent on the proper amounts of insulin produced to breakdown the glucose (sugar) in our diet. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness of carbohydrate metabolism. Genetics definitely plays a part in developing diabetes but a diet of highly processed, low-fiber foods has been seen as a major contributor in most cases. This type of diet leads to obesity resulting in overweight individuals having a higher risk of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is the Type I and Type II diabetes that you’ve heard about. Type I, known as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes. This form of diabetes involves the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. It is most common in children.

Individuals with Type I diabetes show the following symptoms:

o  Irritability

o  Frequent urination

o  Abnormal thirst

o  Nausea/Vomiting

o  weight loss

o  Fatigue

o  Weakness

o  Unusual hunger

o  Frequent bedwetting (in children)

Type I diabetics are also susceptible to episodes of high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Either of these conditions can cause serious medical problems.

Hyperglycemia can sneak up gradually over a period of hours or days and it is most common during an illness. A chief warning sign is the inability to keep down fluids. Possible complications include stroke, coma, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage. Hypoglycemia, in contrast, comes on rapidly and can be caused by skipping meals or exercising too much. The signs of hypoglycemia include dizziness, hunger, confusion, sweating, and tingling lips. Complications can be double vision, trembling, disorientation, and coma.

Type II diabetes is most likely to happen in individuals with a family history of diabetes. This form of diabetes is slightly different. The pancreas produces insulin but it doesn’t work properly. As a result, the blood sugar level remains high because the glucose cannot get into the body’s cells as quickly as it should.

Folks with Type II diabetes exhibit the following symptoms:

o  Blurred vision

o  Itching

o  Unusual thirst

o  Fatigue

o  Slow wound healing

o  Numbness in hands and feet

o  Skin infections

o  Lingering flu symptoms

o  Loss of hair on legs

o  Increased facial hair

o  Small, yellow bumps on the body

A common first indicator of diabetes in men is a condition known as balanoposthitis. This condition is an inflammation of the penis and foreskin and usually accompanies frequent urination.

There is a wide range of natural health options that are available to diabetics. Maintaining a proper diet and participating in an exercise programare two of the most important ways to control diabetes. Your physician and dietician will be most helpful in developing a food plan that will be best for you. A rule of thumb for a diabetic diet is to eat foods that contain complex carbohydrates, low fat, and high fiber. That means plenty of fruits and vegetables, including juices. The complex carbs enter the system more slowly, the fiber helps slow the blood sugar spikes, and the low fat keeps the fat levels in your bloodstream down. Prevent the simple sugars and the saturated fats.

Exercise is of equal importance since obesity is a major contributing factor in Type II diabetes. Your physician and therapists can help you develop a weight reduction program to fit your needs.

In addition to diet and exercise, there are nutritional supplements that have been found helpful for diabetes. These supplements are:

Chromium picolinate – enhances the effect of insulin resulting in lower blood sugar levels

L-Glutamine – reduces sugar cravings

Biotin – helps in glucose metabolism

Manganese – important for repair of the pancreas

Don’t take any supplements that contain cysteine, an amino acid. It can cause problems with the ability of the cells to absorb insulin properly.

Vitamins B, C, and E are also helpful as antioxidants. They work toward the prevention of secondary complications of diabetes such a vision and vascular problems. However, large doses of Vitamin C or B1 should be avoided because they could inactivate insulin.

Several herbs are also advocated for diabetes. These herbs are cedar berries, huckleberry, ginseng, bilberry, dandelion root, buchu, and uva ursi. Each herb has a specific role in maintaining proper glucose levels.

Because diabetes causes problems with the circulatory system, it’s vital to avoid tobacco in any form. Tobacco constricts the blood vessels and slows the circulation. Tobacco use provides less oxygen to the extremities. This lack of oxygen plays a major role in the development of foot ulcers commonly seen in diabetics.

There are many reasons to try to prevent the onset of diabetes. It threatens your overall health and can lead to a wide range of complications. Here are just a few.

Diabetic Retinopathy – This is damage done to the retina and is the leading cause of blindness in the United States.

Diabetic Nephropathy – This is damage done to the kidneys and is the leading cause of death in diabetics.

Diabetic Neuropathy – This is damage done to the nerves and is characterized by numbness, tingling, and pain. It affects the feet, legs, and hands.

It has been said that diabetes is deceptive, insidious, and inconvenient. If you feel that you are experiencing signs of diabetes, check with your primary care provider.

Having diabetes myself, I know what the symptoms of low blood sugar can be like. Often times it feels like you have no control of your body and you cannot figure out what or why’s happening. Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of low blood sugar, and how it can affect your health.

Did you know that many people have symptoms of low blood sugar, yet don’t know it? Think of how many times you have felt tired and worn out between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM? It is a tell tale sign of low blood sugar. Here’s how most people handle it. When they begin to feel a tired and worn down, or maybe even depressed and irritable, they will usually down a soda, some coffee, or eat a sweet snack of some kind. Boom, now all of a sudden they feel like they have been re-energized. Well, it’s caused by a spike in their blood sugar.

Also, what’s the problem with that? While this might appear to be normal for many folks, it’s not normal. The reason for the tiredness at lunchtime is because of your diet. Most likely, you ate a high carbohydrate, high sugar, high starch breakfast. Next, the lack of energy at 3:00 PM is from the same type of lunch you ate. Are you able to see how this is just a vicious cycle? It is a roller coaster ride that you should get off of in order to maintain your health.

Are you a smoker? Are you aware that use of tobacco cigarettes will create a rise in your blood sugar level? It is due to the nicotine in the cigarette mixing together with the adrenal system. When this happens, blood sugar levels go higher.

The symptoms of low blood sugar can last all day and evening. Make certain to keep track or what happens when you eat a sweet snack, or drink a cup of coffee, etc. You will notice your energy level immediately rising. But, it does not last long, maybe an hour or so tops. For this reason you see people who drink 10 cups of coffee a day, or are constantly drinking soda all day, or have to smoke a cigarette every hour.

We all know that coffee, soda, tea, etc., contain sugar, but they also contain caffeine. The two of these ingredients can be brutal to our bodies health structure. Our blood sugar goes up at the expense of our liver glycogen. It depletes liver glycogen levels, while the lack of proper nutrition does not replenish it. This is just one of the many reasons why a proper diet is so important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Spotting the symptoms of low blood sugar is not difficult when you know what to look for. Here’s another good example. The early mornings are usually the absolute worst times for your blood sugar level. It’s due to them being at there lowest levels. Have you known people who were so irritable in the morning that you didn’t even want to speak to them until they had their cup of coffee, or ate breakfast? You can also take note that the vast majority of marital spats happen during the morning hours. Why’s that?

Because of low blood sugar. Now, give these same people 2 cups of coffee, or a nice breakfast, and notice what happens. It’s like they are completely different. Their personality changes and they are happy. They have energy to go tackle the day. Most of all, you’ll notice that often times they will forget the fact that they just hurt your feelings earlier. It’s like Jekyll and Hyde.

When you notice your loved one having the symptom of low blood sugar, keep an eye on it. It could be due to having pre-diabetes, or even from being a diabetic and not being aware of it. Have them see their doctor and get checked out. Having your blood glucose tested only takes a second, and it’s a simple test. Do not let the symptoms of low blood sugar take control of your health.

Many of us suffer from our blood sugar level being out of balance. If you have high glucose levels (diabetes), then you will hopefully be under the supervision of a medical practitioner. This article is about low glucose levels, sometimes referred to as hypoglycaemia.

There are many causes of low blood sugar, including stress, food allergies and nutritional deficiencies. However, here we are focusing on three ways in which we can all make changes to our habits to greatly reduce the likelihood of suffering low blood sugar – our intake of sugar, coffee and tobacco.

Sugar

Refined grains and refined white sugar are probably the most significant factors involved in hypoglycaemia. As well as the sugar we ourselves add to drinks and food, surprisingly large quantities of sugar are added to many processed foods and drinks, even savoury ready meals. Refined grains are stripped of their nutrients and only a few are replaced. E.g. up to 98% of chromium is lost and 78% of zinc. These two minerals are crucial for blood glucose control. Refined grains are not only depleted of nutrients, but they use your body stores of nutrients in the process of trying to deal with them.

Solution: Purchase only natural ingredients and resist the temptation to add sugar to your food and drinks!

Coffee

Coffee can drastically lower your blood sugar level. Coffee stimulates the adrenal glands, which encourages the liver to breakdown its glycogen stores, and release it back into the blood stream as glucose. The dependable quick fix of a cup of coffee with sugar is like a double â..whammy’. The body is flooded with an immediate source of sugar into the blood stream, while coffee adds to the total sugar load by acting through the adrenal glands and liver.

Solution: Try to cut back your coffee consumption, and gradually reduce the amount of sugar you take with it.

Tobacco

Studies have shown that nicotine rapidly increases blood sugar levels by as much as 36 percent, followed by a rapid drop shortly after the cigarette is put out. This sudden drop in blood sugar level after a cigarette helps to explain the addictive nature of nicotine and the craving for the next cigarette soon after. Although the mechanism isn’t clearly understood, smoking can cause a severe deficiency of vitamin C. This vitamin has many roles in the body and a deficiency is associated with many degenerative diseases.

Solution: Quit tobacco use if you can. If you can’t, bettering your diet by eating more fruits and vegetables can help to reduce cravings, thus making it easier to quit tobacco use in the long run.