Definition:
Hypoglycemia is a condition in which there is an abnormally low level of blood
sugar. This mostly occurs by the over-production of insulin in response
to eating refined carbohydrates. Insulin is needed to transport
glucose (blood sugar) into the cells to be used for energy. Low
blood sugar can also be caused by infrequent eating habits. Diagnosing
hypoglycemia can be difficult. The standard, Glucose Tolerance Test
(GTT) can be difficult to get through due to the length of time
the test requires (six hours). And a normal test result may not
indicate a carbohydrate problem. If you have these symptoms follow
the prescribed regimen and if your suffer from hypoglycemia the
symptoms will go away.
Symptoms:
Hypoglycemia may cause the following symptoms; fatigue, dizziness, headache,
irritability, dizziness and fainting spells, poor coordination,
poor concentration, craving for sweets or baked goods, confusion,
night sweats, muscle pain, insomnia, constant hunger, unable to
sit still, hyperactivity in children, and other mental disturbances.
Holistic Treatment Plan:
This condition is usually easy to successfully treat. The first
thing to do is to change the diet. Making sure that you eat at regular
intervals and adding more protein to the diet helps to stabilize
blood sugar. Removing all refined carbohydrates like white bread,
pasta, muffins, sugary foods, and fruit juice is a must. Beginning
the day with eggs or in some cases hot oatmeal is a good idea. Initially
eat more animal protein and vegetables for lunch and dinner. This
will give your system time to re-regulate itself. Some people may
have to eat more frequently, snacking on nuts or seeds are better
than eating fruit. Supplementation is used to support carbohydrate
metabolism and improve
References:
Balch, J. M.D., and Balch, P., C.N.C., Prescription for Nutritional Healing,
NY: Avery Publishing, 2nd, ed., 1997; Evans, G. W. Chromium-a Basic Ingredient for
Good Health, Better Nutrition for Today’s Living, Jan. 1991; Vinson, J. A., Glucose
Tolerance Factors, July, 1980; Jacobs, S., et al, Enhancement of glucose disposal
in patients with type 2 diabetes by alpha lipoic acid, Arzeimittel-Forschung, 1995,
45: 872-4.
Disclaimer:
All information given here is for educational purposes only. For a proper diagnosis and
treatment plan you must consult your health care practitioner.
