Hypoglycemia and Nutrition

We at least once in our lives have seen those commercials or read those ads about people with diabetes and how they need to eat certain foods or take certain medicine so that they do not have low or high blood sugar problems. Well, there are some people with and without diabetes that may have something else called Hypoglycemia that causes low blood sugar problems as well. It is important to know what this is and what foods are best to eat with this medical condition so that more problems do not occur. This may also be important for family members or friends to know so that they know what their loved ones should be eating.



According to YourTotalHealth.com, "The Right Diet for Hypoglycemia", only about five percent of the population have a very specific well-defined hypoglycemia and the rest of the population may have "reactive hypoglycemia" which is when blood sugar may drop suddenly and cause a person to feel spacey, irritable, dizzy, or faint. It is best to try and avoid high carbohydrates and low fiber junk foods because this foods may cause blood sugar problems to begin with. It is best to eat foods high in protein such as: fish and organic meat and foods with high quality natural fat such as olive oil, flaxseed, avocados, nuts and seeds.



Also, people with hypoglycemia may find it best to eat vegetables high in fiber and low sugar fruits such as: berries, plums, apples, pears, peaches and cherries. Also, beans are good for blood sugar and may want to be considered when planning a diet or meal. Eating snacks every few hours that are high in protein may also help keep blood sugar levels where they should be.



It may also be helpful for those with hypoglycemia to limit or eliminate artificial sweeteners and other foods such as: coffee, sugar, and other processed foods because these may irritate the glands and may make the problem worse in the long run. Snacks with protein and a little fat with carbs may help with blood sugar and provide more energy.



It is important for everyone to eat a well balanced diet and exercise to help maintain a healthy life and lifestyle, but for those with medical concerns such as hypoglycemia it is even more important to watch what kind of foods we are eating and to limit foods with too much sugar. If people with hypoglycemia follow these guidelines as well as listen to their doctor and their bodies, they will be better able to feel good and to be healthy for many years into the future.

Diabetes Diet, Nutrition and Herbal Treatment That Works

Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is a disease tormenting many these days. The advent of modern technology and craze for high profile life style is the root of several serious ailments including diabetes. The patient suffering from diabetes has an increased glucose level in blood. Our food intake supplies us with carbohydrates which get converted in to glucose. The hormone insulin secreted by pancreas breaks down the glucose and aids the metabolic process by making the glucose enter in to body cells and energizing the body as a whole.



When the cells of the pancreas become incapable of producing sufficient insulin or when body cells become resistant to insulin, glucose collects in blood and soon the level shoots up resulting in diabetes. There are three major types of diabetes: Type1, Type2 and Gestational diabetes. Type1 diabetes occurs when the amount of insulin produced by pancreas falls short of the body's requirement of insulin. Type2 diabetes occurs when body cells become non-responsive to insulin or do not take in insulin in the amount they should have taken in.



Gestational diabetes is the result of pregnancy. Glucose levels in blood rise during pregnancy in some women. Heredity, obesity, stress, over-intake of carbohydrates, nutritional deficiencies, and any other disease causing damage to pancreas are diabetes-triggering factors. Diabetes needs timely diagnosis and treatment, or else it may cause serious damage to heart, kidney, eyes, liver and nervous system.



Symptoms



1. Frequent urination2. Increased hunger3. Increased thirst4. Fatigue5. Loss of weight6. Blurry vision7. Palpitation8. Constipation9. Yellowish urine with a sweet acidic odor10. Itching around genitals



Herbal treatment for diabetes



Nature gives us a wide range of herbs that may be used to treat diabetes the natural ways. Some of the herbs may be listed as follows.



1. Onion and garlic have excellent sugar-reducing properties.



2. Bitter melon or balsam pear juice supplies the body with insulin like polypeptide-p and thereby lowers blood sugar.



3. Fenugreek seeds, rich in nicotinic acids and alkaloid trigoneline, prove very effective in treating diabetes.



4. The holy basil is a highly beneficial herb in treating diabetes.



5. Ivy gourd leaf extracts are quite effective in treating retinal disorders due to diabetes.



6. Fully grown curry leaves are an effective cure for congenital diabetes and obesity.



7. Indian gooseberry juice is a pancreas stimulating drink. It stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin.



8. Butea leaf extracts are useful in lowering sugar levels in blood.



9. Cinnamon is an effective herb for managing diabetes.



10. Powdered, dry mango leaves may be taken in empty stomach for controlling diabetes.



11. Indian plum seeds regulate the metabolic process and also stimulate pancreas.

Gestational Diabetes Diet - Good Pregnancy Nutrition Can Prevent Your Child Developing Diabetes

Having gestational diabetes during pregnancy can mean that too much sugar is passed to your developing baby, increasing their risk of becoming diabetic later in life. Following a well planned gestational diabetes diet can reduce this risk by controlling the level of sugar in your blood, and reducing the amount that is passed to your baby via the placenta.



There are other issues that can arise from your baby receiving too much sugar. The main problem will be that your baby could grow exceptionally large, causing difficulties with delivery. Overweight babies have a much higher chance of being born by cesarean section and experiencing birth complications than normal weight babies.



What causes gestational diabetes?



Gestational diabetes is a temporary form of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, but usually disappears after the baby is born. The condition can develop when the mother's body is unable to produce enough insulin to meet the increasing needs of their developing baby. Insulin levels can also be affected by pregnancy hormones, which can limit its production.



Controlling your condition with a good gestational diabetes diet plan is crucial for the health of mother and baby. Nutritionist Bridget Swinney says;



"When large amounts of glucose accumulate in your blood, it means that your cells aren't getting the fuels they need. High blood sugar can be harmful for you and your developing baby, so it is important to try to control it".



Consult a dietician to put together your gestational diabetes diet plan



Your gestational diabetes diet plan will depend on a number of factors so it is important to consult a professional to ensure the wellbeing of you and your baby. Your diet plan will be based on the following issues:



a. How many calories you need each day



b. Your height and weight



c. Your level of activity



d. The particular needs of your baby



e. Your level of glucose intolerance



Another important issue in creating your gestational diabetes diet plan is to include foods that you actually like. Any mother will know that pregnancy is a time when food can provide enormous comfort, and trying to stick to a strict diabetes diet that does not include foods you enjoy will be very difficult.



Here are some general tips for creating a gestational diabetes diet plan:



1. Eat small meals and snacks throughout the day instead of big meals that will suddenly increase your blood sugar levels. Towards the end of your pregnancy small meals will be more comfortable for you to eat anyway.



2. Don't skip meals, and make sure you eat breakfast, even if you have morning sickness, as your blood sugar levels are at their most irregular first thing in the morning.



3. General pregnancy nutrition advice may recommend fruit juice and flavored teas. These should not form part of your gestational diabetes diet plan as they can increase your blood sugar very quickly.



4. You will need a good source of calcium for your developing baby, but look for alternatives to milk which contains high levels of lactose, a simple sugar which will increase your blood sugar level. Two or three small glasses of milk a day are the maximum for your gestational diabetes diet plan