Articles. News. Information.

Category of Information, News & Articles


How To Prevent Hypoglycemia


Today's tip is on hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Hypoglycemia affects both non-diabetics as well as diabetics.It has been considered an early sign of adult onset diabetes, although I am not completely convinced that this is always true. If you have ever felt weak at the knees, sweaty and somewhat disoriented about two hours after eating something sweet, you probably have had an episode or two of hypoglycemia. It is a very unpleasant feeling and if your blood sugar gets low enough you can get into serious trouble.

Brief synopsis of the biochemistry.

Most hypoglycemia is a result of eating table sugar (sucrose). Human biochemistry can handle complex carbohydrates very well like the potato and rice. But it does not do so well when the sugar is "refined" / extracted and processed into a molecule like sucrose from sources such as sugar cane. The molecule sucrose is one glucose molecule hooked up to one fructose molecule.

The other way to become hypoglycemic is to be on a low carbohydrate diet. However, these symptoms are usually not the acute hypoglycemia symptoms that one gets from eating simple sugars. They more often manifest as chronic depression from insufficient blood glucose for the brain.

Fructose short-circuits glycolysis.

When the body attempts to digest sucrose the fructose short circuits the glycolytic pathway for the glucose. Glucose is not metabolized as fast as it would be if there was no fructose in the bloodstream. Because of this, the body perceives more glucose than is really present and excretes more insulin than is necessary. Soon all the fructose is metabolized, followed rapidly by the metabolism of the glucose. Then, because of excessive insulin, the blood glucose is lowered more than it should be and you really begin to feel disoriented, clammy and weak at the knees.

What to do on the immediate basis.

Ingestion of some readily absorbable sugar such as found in orange juice, is standard therapy for hypoglycemia. This will raise your blood sugar and you will begin to feel better. Eating more sucrose will also raise your blood sugar but doing so only starts the whole cycle all over again. Best not to get low blood sugar / hypoglycemia in the first place.

What to do to keep from getting hypoglycemia.

The simple answer is to avoid sugar. I know this is easier said than done. When I quit meat and dairy it was easy and I have never missed it. When I quit Pepsi and candy such as Mike and Ikes, it was very difficult. Sugar is extremely addicting. I felt so much better without it however, that it has really been worth it. I don't miss the extra weight from the sucrose nor the episodes of hypoglycemia. Also, it is much easier to keep my running mileage high since I quit sugar.

One more thing I don't miss is the ongoing destruction of my vascular system caused by sugar. Adult onset diabete smellitus is a "polite and very confusing" term for "sugar toxicity."

Today's Health Tip:

To avoid hypoglycemia stop eating any simple sugars.

Be sure to read the labels of any processed foods carefully. While whole grain brown rice is no problem, refined products like brown rice syrup can cause hypoglycemia.

Reference:

Biochemistry Fourth Edition Lubert Styrer

Shameless Plug

The MericleDiet is the Only 100% Sugar-Free Diet that I havefound. Also, it is the only one to make the transition away from sugar as easy as it can be. To visit the MericleDiet follow the link below:

Copyright 2005 John Mericle M.D. All Rights Reserved

http://www.DrMericle.com is devoted to achieving optimal health and peak performance through diet and lifestyle change. Dr. Mericle brings together a unique blend of formal medical education, 29 marathons, 3 Hawaii Ironman competitions and a lot of practical real life experience.


MORE RESOURCES:

New York Times

Vulnerable New York Should Have Access To Food, Nutritional Supports
eMaxHealth.com, NC - 2 hours ago
“As a result of the national recession, hunger prevention agencies in New York State are experiencing an unprecedented increase in requests for nutrition ...
Massachusetts, New York Launch Anti-Obesity Campaigns AHN
NNYers laud Paterson's State of State WatertownDailyTimes.com
Paterson delivers NY State address Bennington Banner
all 413 news articles


Nestle Nutrition Launches BOOST(R) Kid Essentials Nutritionally ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 3 hours ago
8 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, parents have a new way of providing their children with optimal nutrition and protective benefits with the launch of BOOST(R) Kid ...
US: Nestle HealthCare readies Boost for US children just-drinks.com (subscription)
all 8 news articles


Potato industry spotlights nutritional benefits
The Packer, KS - 50 minutes ago
A conversation with virtually any representative of the potato industry will quickly focus on the vegetable’s nutritional benefits. ...


Coalition launches nutrition campaign
QSR Web, KY - 10 minutes ago
WASHINGTON, DC — The Coalition for Responsible Nutrition Information has launched a campaign to pass national legislation that will provide consumers across ...


New contractors sought for senior nutrition program
Delta County Independent, CO - 3 hours ago
The nutrition program is a vital service and needs to continue, AAA director Lee Bartlett explained. The program is especially vital to homebound older ...


Smart Nutrition
UN Dispatch - 4 hours ago
Still, as her description of a new "smart" nutritional program in India makes clear, a little innovation can't hurt. This new ready-to-use food is made from ...


Library to offer nutrition class
Log Cabin Democrat, AR - 2 hours ago
The Faulkner County Library will offer a community Nutrition class. The class is free, but sign up is required. To sign up, e-mail sarah@fcl.org with your ...


The Post-Standard - Syracuse.com

How to fight America's obesity epidemic
Boston Globe, United States - 13 hours ago
Establish and implement financial incentives for schools to improve and promote enhanced nutrition standards in the National School Lunch and Breakfast ...
Research grant tackles pediatric obesity in Houston Media Newswire (press release)
Fighting Obesity The Post-Standard - Syracuse.com
all 4 news articles


Nutrition grant will refresh local 'food deserts'
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - 2 hours ago
In addition, the YMCA will hold nutrition programs in nearby schools because their students often come to the stores for chips, candy and soda after school, ...


Probiotics: The Latest Buzzword in Nutrition
SkinInc.com, IL - 21 hours ago
This ideology has also rubbed off on many of the members of the younger generations who have become more nutrition-savvy due to the explosion of information ...

Nutrition - Google News

Home | Sitemap
© 2006 eInfoJunction.com Homepage | Web Directory | Article Directory| Bid Directory