Low blood sugar is currently a very prevalent problem, especially among women, and is often at its worst when a woman is premenstrual. Men can also suffer, but they are in a minority. Sugar cravings can take the form of outright sugar bingeing with the consumption of unusual amounts of chocolate, or more discreet searches for dried fruit around the kitchen. Like diabetes, hypoglycemia is an imbalance of blood sugar levels, which often stems from imbalanced glycogen levels in the liver. To treat this problem, the liver and the pancreas will both need balancing and fortifying. It shows as a deficiency of sugar in the blood owing to overproduction of the hormone insulin in an attempt to provide much-needed supplies of energy. Excess insulin causes too much sugar to be driven into the cells, resulting in a sudden blood sugar drop. The brain is particularly affected; normal thinking will become difficult, as will talking, driving, or making sense. Never leave low blood sugar untreated, because when brain function is inhibited and therefore poor, the nervous system will deplete. The need to stop and sleep can be overpowering, should chocolate, coffee, cigarettes, or alcohol not be available to prop the situation up! Low blood sugar can also produce impatience and aggression.
So what causes this problem? There are many things—for instance, skipped meals and crash diets; unremitting stress; sudden weight loss; the intake of excessive amounts of refined carbohydrates, such as chips, cakes, snacks, and candy; excessive sugar intake; or excessive tea, coffee, and alcohol intake. In women, causes may include general endocrine imbalances, including premenstrual problems, menstrual imbalances, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. For both sexes pancreatic weakness and vitamin and mineral imbalances can contribute, including deficiencies of B vitamins, magnesium, chromium, manganese, zinc, and potassium. Poor liver function, digestive excesses and insufficiencies, and adrenal and thyroid function can also be factors. Candida is also a highly likely cause.
Many people do not know that they are hypoglycemic, but “swimming” feelings, shakiness, driven hunger, irritability, fatigue, indigestion, headaches, hyperactivity, anxiety, paranoia, sudden energy drops, even blackouts or “must sleep” times may all be indications of this. The list of symptoms seems endless—sweating, bad dreams, lack of libido, epilepsy, stomach cramps, and general allergies. It may be necessary to find a specialist to make a diagnosis for you. Very often the problem is constantly covered up and “supported” by increasing sugar intake when the worst feelings arrive. If left untreated, anemia, calcium depletion, immune deficiency, cancer, premenstrual syndrome, and many other conditions may arise. If too many refined-sugar foods and drinks are succumbed to, then protein requirements will increase. If this cycle continues, one often sees an alternating meat and sugar desire becoming stronger and stronger. A desire for sugar can also arise from a deficiency of protein, because of the controlling function that protein has on sugar; the metabolism decreases if protein is not provided, and consequently the sugar cravings increase. The conventional medical profession rarely diagnoses hypoglycemia, so many people are left untreated or confused. The truth of the matter is often seen when sugar in all its forms, apart from fresh fruit, is removed from the diet. At first this change will feel incredibly drastic, but by exchanging sugar for food and herbs that support blood sugar levels when they are very low, the problem will begin to even itself out. For sugar substitutes, see chapter 4. If you treat this condition carefully, you will avoid its possible development into something worse.
Follow the diet and herbal advice for diabetes and look at the adrenal glands, as they need support. Pay special attention to the intake of garlic, fiber, and water.
Superfood is wonderful for sustaining blood sugar levels between meals.
Take evening primrose oil capsules (GLA).
Take herbs to stimulate, tone, and support all digestive processes: meadowsweet leaf, aloe vera gel, gentian root, sorrel leaf, and dandelion root.
Take acidophilus capsules.
Liver and bowel cleanses are vital.
Take gentle exercise; walking and deep breathing are initially the best until your balance and stamina are developed. Exhausting activities like swimming, saunas, and so on should be avoided until the body is stronger.
This Hypoglycemia Causes & Treatment article is taken from :
The complete home guide to herbs, natural healing, and nutrition / Jill Rosemary Davies.
