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.
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 diabetesmellitus is a "polite and very confusing" term for "sugartoxicity."
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 awayfrom sugar as easy as it can be. To visit the MericleDietfollow the link below:
http://www.DrMericle.com
Our readers respond regarding last week's tip about the dangers of plastic containers and microwave ovens.
Cathy McGowan from Hamilton Strathclyde writes:
I always reuse glass containers from coffee or other suitable jarsthat can be sterilized. Thank you for your advice. Working on a budget I find that I have to consider other optionsto basic day to day problems as they arise.
Kiran from Dehli, India writes:
I am using ceramic containers for preservation of pickles. Using plastic container only for dry ingredients.After this information given by you we will not use plastic bottles for water.We are using oven toaster and grill not microwave.Thanks for the information.Since last 2 days after we got your mail regarding plastic and microwave, I spread this news in my friend's circle because these days microwave and tupperware both are popular, and people are crazy about that.
Thanks for your time.
posted by John Mericle M.D. D.A.B.R. @ 2:19 PM
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