Diabetes Over View

Hypoglycemic Syndrome

Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar level. This term is used to describe a metabolic disorder that may manifest itself in a variety of physical and 'psychological' symptoms. One must understand that glucose is a source of both physical (muscle) and mental (brain) energy. The brain, representing only 2 percent by weight of the body, has no energy stores of its own. It requires about 60 per cent percent of the total available glucose in the body and consumes about 120 grams per days regardless of whether we are asleep or awake. About one teaspoon of glucose is available in the blood at any time

As every diabetic is aware, keeping blood sugar levels down is key to preventing long-term complications. But when blood sugar levels go too low, causing the condition known as hypoglycemia, a person generally experiences such symptoms as sweating, shaking, dizziness, rapid heartbeat, hunger, and emotional changes. These symptoms are caused by the body's response to hypoglycemia: When blood sugar dips too low, the body releases hormones (including glucagon and epinephrine) that cause the liver to release more glucose, raising the blood glucose level.

Following ingestion of glucose (sugar) the blood sugar level rises unusually high and then suddenly drops, but still above the minimum level. The sudden drop triggers off a panic reaction in the brain, because its main fuel is crashing and adrenaline (epinephrine) is secreted by the adrenal glands. Adrenaline is a rapid acting hormone that converts glycogen back into glucose, thus raising the blood sugar level. The excess adrenaline, however, causes feelings of anxiety, sleeplessness and irritability.

In brief the nutritional treatment of the hypoglycemic condition consists of:

1. Avoidance of sugar, coffee, strong tea, nicotine if possible, refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, cakes and sugary drinks etc.
2. High protein + complex carbohydrates snacks every three hours or sooner, to provide a slow release of glucose, and to prevent the hypoglycemic dip. A high protein breakfast must be considered the most important meal of the day. Good sources of proteins are eggs, white meat as in chicken and fish. Eat plenty of green vegetables and fruits and the more varied the diet the better it is.
3. Supplementation of diet with Anti-stress vitamin B-Complex tablets, including chromium, zinc + Vitamin C.

The researchers considered a blood glucose level of 68 mg/dl to be within the normal range. They stated that the effect they observed may protect people with Type 2 diabetes from experiencing profound hypoglycemia, but they also acknowledged that it makes keeping blood glucose levels in goal range more difficult. At this point, this study's findings are primarily informational. The next step will be to determine what to do about the symptoms.

Allergies are closely related to the hypoglycemic syndrome. Many asthmatics have improved their condition by adopting the hypoglycemic diet to be discussed later. Very often, when we adopt the hypoglycemic diet - by eating natural food - hitherto hidden allergies may emerge. Common foods, causing allergic reactions are cows milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, legumes, grains and various seeds. These may all result in hypoglycemic symptoms.

Food, drug and allergy addiction - and even hypoglycemia - over a long period of time may cause adrenal exhaustion, as the body has relied on adrenaline production to raise the blood sugar level. Adrenaline is a defence hormone against all forms of stress. Thus often the nutritional treatment of hypoglycemic syndrome must include nutrients to restore the exhausted adrenal glands.

The hypoglycemic syndrome can be corrected by a return to man's natural diet, devoid of artificial colorings, additives and above all sugar, and sugar containing foods and drinks. Nevertheless, depending on the severity of one's symptoms, that may be attributed to the hypoglycemic syndrome; one needs to be fully informed of this condition, before embarking on self-therapy.