10 Ways To Naturally Lower Your Blood Sugar

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Lower Your Blood Sugar to Avoid Pre-Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, and Overweight Issues

Keeping your blood sugar balanced is important to avoid the above dis-eases. Doing it naturally keeps your health vital and strong.

Here's how it works: You eat something and the stomach and intestines breaks the food down into glucose. The cells need glucose for energy, but for the cells to be able to use glucose they also need insulin which the pancreas emits in the response to glucose.

The body, however, can become resistant to using the insulin if there are certain factors occurring, in particular excess fat. So the glucose stays in the blood, which makes the pancreas secrete more insulin. Eventually the pancreas gets tired, very tired and gives up. That's when pre-diabetes becomes diabetes. What a bummer.

Keeping glucose sugar levels balanced also helps promote weight loss as having low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) will trigger binge eating, which causes the rebound effect of high blood sugar or glucose. The body will rapidly store this high blood sugar as fat.

With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can easily control your glucose levels and avoid more serious health problems.

Ready? Read on!

Note: I fully and personally endorse these tips, supplements and methods. In 2007 my health care provider said I had metabolic syndrome and she would rate me as a diabetic (but she knew I wasn't big into labels). I gave myself 6 months to turn it around naturally and, if not successful, I was going to go the medical route. This lens shares what I did to turn it around permanently.

All About High Blood Sugar 

Hyperglycemia versus hypoglycemia

High blood sugar is called hyperglycemia versus low level blood sugar which is called hypoglycemia.

Blood sugar levels are considered high when they're above 110 mg/dl first thing in the morning (assuming you weren't midnight snacking). You can get a simple kit to monitor your blood sugar and find out what foods might be affecting you negatively and what your fasting blood glucose level is.

Besides high blood sugar making you feel wonky, it can negatively affect many organs over a longer period of time.

Hyperglycemia can cause damage to the vessels that supply blood to vital organs, which can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems.

In this lens, natural solutions to balancing or lowering blood sugar are listed in the orange boxes, with explanations following. These are tried and true solutions and extremely powerful.

Order a Glucose Monitor 

Eat Small, Eat Often

No Highs Or Lows: Keep Your Blood Sugar Even 

The body does much better eating smaller amounts of food, more often throughout the day. It's easier on the intestines, the pancreas, and the digestive enzymes.

Depending on your caloric intake you could eat 4-6 meals, of 400-600 calories each. Eat at least every four hours.

Also increase your water. Being chronically dehydrated is hard on the blood, the carrier of not only the blood sugar but also insulin itself.

Get Your Muscles Involved

Lower Glucose Fast 

Burn, Baby, Burn!

If Americans are the biggest consumers in the world, muscles are the glucose consumer equivalent. Getting physically active is one of the easiest ways to use up glucose and "force" the body out of insulin resistance. Exercise vigorously for 20-30 minutes a day to get optimal benefits.

Get Up Off of That Couch! 

You gotta love Richard Simmons!

Richard Simmons Walks it Out

Richard Simmons Walk it Out video. www.dickbird.org

Runtime: 3:18
179275 views
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curated content from YouTube

Get Rid of the Belly Fat

Lower Blood Sugar by Getting Rid of Belly Fat 

Belly Fat, Stress, and Insulin Resistance

Belly fat increases heart disease and insulin resistance. It is particularly hard to get rid of by women in their menopause years. Insulin resistance means that the blood sugar stays in the blood instead of getting into the tissue cells.

Belly fat can increase dramatically under acute and chronic high stress because of the hormone release of cortisol from the adrenals. Exercise helps reduce stress levels as does massage, meditation, yoga, relaxing baths, etc.

The recommended waist measurement for men is less than 40 inches and for women, less than 35 inches.

The following two books are excellent for targeting belly fat.

Dr. Oz on Creating Health 

You: On A Diet: The Owner's Manual for Waist Management

Amazon Price: $14.33 (as of 11/09/2009)Buy Now

Prevention's Flat Belly Diet 

Flat Belly Diet

Amazon Price: $14.87 (as of 11/09/2009)Buy Now

You Can Have Your Sweets and Lower Blood Sugar, Too

Lower Blood Sugar with the Right Sweets 

Keeping That Sweet Tooth Happy and Healthy

Refined sugar and corn syrup dramatically increase your blood sugar, forcing the pancreas to secrete large amounts of insulin. The insulin tells the body to remove blood sugar fast (where it is stored as fat) which then causes a dramatic drop in blood sugar. Eventually the pancreas can't create insulin (diabetes) or the body becomes insulin resistant (like the boy who called wolf, too many times).

There are sweeteners that can be used that don't dramatically increase the blood glucose level. Some have additional health benefits as well. All can be found in health food stores.

Stevia: This ancient herb from Paraguay adds no calories and is thought to help with obesity and blood pressure. It is mostly found in health food stores as a dietary supplement.

Agave Syrup: Forget tequila...use the syrup made from the same cactus! This sweetener needs to be consumed in between meals to maintain its low glycemic value (not raising the glucose or blood sugar levels). Agave comes in different "flavors" such as light or dark.

Xylitol: This natural substance found in many foods not only delivers a "sugar like" product that doesn't raise glucose or blood sugar levels, but it also helps protect teeth from decay.

A Great Source for Agave Nectar 

By our own Squidoo angel and lensmaster extraordinaire: Chef Keem. Features great recipes for using agave nectar.

Know Your Food Friends and Enemies

Foods That Lower Your Blood Sugar 

Foods that quickly raise the blood sugar levels are refined foods, primarily white sugar and flour. But any food that converts rapidly into glucose will cause a sudden leap in glucose or blood sugar levels including juice, and refined breakfast cereals.

Which brings us to the first food friend:

Fiber: Eat foods high in fiber including apples, oatmeal, whole, unrefined grains, bulky vegetables, nuts and seeds. Take a digestive aid such as Zypan (made by Standard Process), if your digestive system has a hard time digesting lots of fiber and wants to make gas instead.

Protein: If you just can't resist that Krispy Kreme donut, eat it with a slice of cheese or a hard boiled egg. The protein will slow the break down of the carbohydrates into glucose. Not recommended for cheating every day, but it can help you cheat once in a while!

A Very Good Friend Indeed 

Eat between meals to keep blood sugar balanced.

Marcona Almonds by La Tienda

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/09/2009)Buy Now

Get Your Cholesterol In Right Balance

Metabolic Syndrome 

Lots have been written about cholesterol and its effect on the blood vessels, if certain cholesterol is too high (while others are too low). HDL is the "good" cholesterol and trigylcerides are the bad.

High cholesterol (of the bad sort) is part of a group of symptoms that together have been labeled metabolic syndrome. This condition is the precursor to heart disease and a host of other problems including diabetes.

Technically speaking, getting your cholesterol in right balance doesn't really lower your blood sugar levels. It does speak to overall improved health and less likelihood of becoming insulin resistant (which does affect high blood sugar).

Chinese tonic herbs are very beneficial for helping the body to come into balance. Two in particular are "kings" when it comes to health benefits for the body including balancing cholesterol.

Gynostemma: This herb is widely used in China and Japan specifically for its cardiovascular health benefits. Studies from around the world indicate that Gynostemma has the following cardiovascular-related actions in humans: cardiovascular protecting, cholesterol regulating, lowers blood and body fat, platelet regulating, anti-obesity, and triglyceride (bad cholesterol) lowering.

Reishi. Numerous clinical researchers in China, Russia and Japan have reported that Reishi has cholesterol-lowering properties. In one relatively large study, the effective rate was about 86% for 3 to 6 months of treatment. Reishi has an inhibitory effect on cholesterol biosynthesis and absorption. One mechanism of action is due to Reishi's ability to inhibit an enzyme in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.

Reishi also helps reduce the effects of stress (which lead to belly fat).

Both of these products have been combined into one product called CardioPro 2000 and can be ordered from Dragon Herbs.

Check Your Thyroid

Your Doctor Won't Tell You This 

There is a link between your thyroid and your pancreas. If your thyroid is not working properly, it can create a pancreatic imbalance which leads to insulin resistance in the body.

Get it checked and get the thyroid balanced. Women, as they age, seem to lose more of their thyroid capability.

Secret Weapons

Tools to Lower Your Blood Sugar FAST 

Two food/dietary supplements are stand out helpers in improving blood sugar levels.

Salacia: This aryuvedic herb from India helps normalize blood sugar and insulin levels, and supports healthy blood lipids. Salacia contains two potent alpha-glucosidase inhibitors that may help regulate carbohydrate-metabolic imbalances. Salacia will bring down glucose levels within 20 minutes after taking. It's best to use this super helper as needed versus every day. Salacia can be ordered from Dragon Herbs

Cinnamon: This wonderful tasting spice has been shown to lower fasting blood sugar levels AND balance cholesterol levels. A fabulous two-fer! Cinnamon is recommended at amounts of 1 gram a day and if taken for 40 days will continue to promote benefits for an additional 20 days. One delicious way to take cinnamon is to make tea with cinnamon sticks (boiling 2-3 sticks in 4 cups of water for 20 minutes). Or just add it to oatmeal, smoothies, or cinnamon toast (use whole grain bread such as Ezekiel and one of the recommended sweeteners above).

Find More Secret Weapons Here 

More tips and secret weapons including where to order cinnamon capsules.

What's Your Favorite Help In Lowering Blood Sugar? 

Vote on these or add your own.

Vigorous exercise

34 points

Eat Small, Eat Often

27 points

Cinnamon

16 points

Increased fiber

15 points

Get rid of the belly fat

10 points

Low Carbing

10 points

Stevia

9 points

Oatmeal

8 points

doing a lot of chores walking or biking

aka: moderate exercise.6 points

Green Smoothies

Eating blended greens!6 points

Agave Syrup

4 points

Walking Outdoor And Indoor When Weather Is Bad

4 points

Xylitol

2 points

CardioPro 2000

2 points

Salacia

2 points

http://www.squidoo.com/increase-metabolism-foods

2 points

Protein with refined sugar/flour

1 point

Prickly Pear Cactus Pads

My husband is a Type II Diabetic. When he was fir more...1 point

Raw Food Diet

0 points

Get Informed 

Blood Sugar 101: What They Don't Tell You About Diabetes

Amazon Price: $10.76 (as of 11/09/2009) Buy Now

Toxic Fat: When Good Fat Turns Bad

Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 11/09/2009) Buy Now

It Must Be My Metabolism

Amazon Price: $16.20 (as of 11/09/2009) Buy Now

Outsmart High Cholesterol

Amazon Price: $6.99 (as of 11/09/2009) Buy Now

Advice From Others for Lowering Blood Sugar 

Black Tea Benefits – Lower Blood Sugar | Living Life Abundantly
When next you have the chance to drink black tea - Forget the five thousand years of consumption in China and consider instead about the many health benefits the Black Tea may bring to your body, which include lower blood sugar levels.
How to Get Good Health Benefits Through Exercising
Walking has been proven to lower high blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and lower blood sugar levels with people who have diabetes. Short walks about 45 to 60 minutes four or five times a week, will make a person so much healthier. ...
Metformin | Official Medicines
You may be more likely to have hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) if you are taking metformin with other drugs that lower blood sugar. Drugs that can lower blood sugar include: some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); ...

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Reader's Wisdom 

If you're not new to the problem of insulin intolerance and high blood sugar, you've probably learned a few tricks of your own. Please share those with us.

amaughn wrote...

Really great advice and information, thanks so much!

ReplyPosted November 08, 2009

Lensmaster

Mike wrote

Yesterday I measured my blood sugar. The result was 135. I read here that the maximum limit is 110. Should I be worried?

Mike Geary

Reply Posted November 06, 2009

scommunications wrote...

Thanks for the great information on diabetes, now i have a guide to work with!

ReplyPosted November 06, 2009

portmansdress wrote...

Thanks for the tips. It is really of great help.

ReplyPosted November 06, 2009

crosscreations wrote...

VERY well done lens on a critical topic. 5*s and lensrolled to Conventional Medicine VS Alternatives

ReplyPosted November 04, 2009

Multiplayer wrote...

At a time when so many people suffer from blood-sugar disorders, I wish they could all read what is contained here and heed the advice. I have a good friend is has hypoglycemia and doesn't seem to "get it". I will be sending this link to that person. Good job!!!

ReplyPosted November 03, 2009

HERBMASTER wrote...

I enjoyed your lenses. Pretty helpful. I've written some work on Diabetes you might find interesting.

ReplyPosted November 02, 2009

msadrbiz wrote...

Thanks, super info from your lens! Just had my check-up earlier this week and all was well with all tests. Your advice has given me more tips and incentive to work with. I look forward to shedding more lbs before my next visit in March 2010.

ReplyPosted November 01, 2009

StayOnBelieveIt wrote...

Nice lens come visit my lens and tell me what you think.
A Lens with this great information on how to lower once sugar levels if needed helps people. If this lens was placed infront of the people who needed this information they would be happy people.

ReplyPosted October 29, 2009

clearmind wrote...

This is an excellent lens - great advice on lowering blood sugar - I needed it.

ReplyPosted October 29, 2009

view all 258 comments

Who's Ener-G? 

Lensmaster Ener-G, aka gia combs-ramirez, has been a member since November 18 2007, has rated 694 lenses, favorited 159, and has created 75 lenses from scratch. gia combs-ramirez donates their royalties to Save the Children. This member's top-ranked page is "10 Ways To Naturally Lower Your Blood Sugar". See all my lenses

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I am a soul intuitive, energy healer, writer, speaker, mom and aspiring skinny person, oops I mean...metaphysicist.

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