Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is an abnormally diminished content of glucose in the blood.The term literally means "low sugar blood".
Do not confuse with Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar).

Causes and Symptoms

The two most significant factors of hypoglycemia in the Western world are diet and stress. The SAD (Standard American Diet) is literally a prescription for hypoglycemia, with its common foods like white bread, refined grains, sugar, soda, and coffee.
Unfortunately, it often goes undiagnosed and its multitude of symptoms are frequently labeled as emotional or psychological in origin. It can produce a variety of symptoms and effects but the principal problems arise from an inadequate supply of glucose to the brain, resulting in impairment of function (neuroglycopenia). Effects can range from mild dysphoria to more serious issues such as seizures, unconsciousness, and (rarely) permanent brain damage or death. The symptoms are usually episodic, being related to the time and content of the previous meal and are usually improved by eating. Symptoms include nervousness, irritability, emotional problems, fatigue, depression, craving sweets, inability to concentrate, cold sweats, shakes, palpitations, tingling of the skin and scalp, dizziness, trembling, fainting, blurred vision, cold extremities, nausea, midmorning and mid-to-late afternoon tiredness, anxiety, indecisiveness, crying spells, allergies, convulsions, and hyperactivity, for openers.

Home remedies

Basically, the solution is to remove the initial causes and reestablish the normal hormonal controlling mechanisms. Problem: once the pancreas has been hypersensitive to sugar over a long period of time, complete recovery is not always possible. But, it can be kept under control with a change in diet and lifestyle keeping the symptoms under control and repressed. But, go back and back come the aggravating symptoms.

What is needed is a diet of high-fiber complex carbohydrates - whole wheat bread free of sugar and high-fructose-corn-syrup, quinoa (a complete protein grain), brown rice, buckwheat, millet, etc., adding legumes or organic soy products for protein. With this, digestion will be slower.

Dried fruit, fruit, fruit juices, and fresh vegetable juices are all rapidly absorbable but should be consumed in moderation. When eating fruit it's best to be taken with some protein in the form of nuts or organic cottage cheese.

Other great foods are oatmeal, unsweetened granola, brewer's yeast (B complex), rice milk, spirulina, avocado, fresh, raw salads, baked potatoes, baked sweet potatoes, steamed cruciferous vegetables, or lightly sauteed, bran, chia seeds, onions, organic coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and apple cider vinegar.

Recommended fruits are papaya, apples, grapefruit, oranges, bananas in moderation and fresh berries. Stay away from alcohol, coffee, cigarettes, and dates, figs, plums, and grapes. They are just too sweet.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.