Hypoglycemia
(Low Blood Sugar)
Etiology: Deficiency
of sugar in the blood. A condition in which the glucose in the
blood is abnormally low.
CAUSES: Hyperfunction
of the islets of Langerhans may cause it or injection of an
excessive amount of insulin. The ingestion of refined simple
carbohydrates can also lead to hypoglycemia, in which the body is
no longer able to metabolize the sugar properly. When
hypoglycemia is present, the body is under stress. If you have
hypoglycemia, it is important that you do not put added stress on
the body.
Oversecretion of insulin by the pancreas
Heredity
Inadequate diet
SYMPTOMS: Acute
fatigue, dizziness, confusion, depression, anxiety, cravings for
sweets, nightsweats, weakness in the legs, swollen feet,
tightness in the chest, constant hunger, pain in various parts of
the body (especially the eyes), nervous habits, insomnia,
headaches, restlessness, malaise, marked irritability and
weakness and ultimately to other diseases such as collapse of the adrenal
glands. In severe cases, mental disturbances, delirium, coma, and
possibly death.
Hypoglycemia mimics many diseases. Related disorders include:
allergies, asthma, hay fever, indigestion, obesity, nutritional
deficiencies, malabsorption, colitis, constipation, and impaired memory.
Abnormal protein and carbohydrate metabolism and poor adrenal
function are part of hypoglycemia. Proper diet is a key factor
for the hypoglycemic to maintain proper blood sugar levels.
NUTRIENTS:
- Chromium, 300 mg. per day, is vital in
glucose metabolism (natural brewer’s yeast is good source).
- Vitamin B complex, 50-100 mg. per day,
is important to carbohydrate metabolism.
- Thiamin, 100 mg. per day.
- Niacin, 100 mg. per day.
- Vitamin B12, 300 mg. per day.
- Pantothenic acid (B6), 1,000 mg. per day
in divided doses, is important in adrenal gland function
and conversion of glucose to energy.
- Calcium, 1,500 mg. per day in divided
doses.
- Magnesium, 750 mg. per day in divided
doses, is important in sugar metabolism.
- L-Carnitine, taken as directed on the
label, converts stored body fat into energy.
- L-Cysteine, taken as directed on the
label, blocks the action of insulin, which lowers blood sugar.
- L-Glutamine with vitamin B6 and vitamin C,
1,000 mg. per day on an empty stomach, reduces cravings
for sugar.
- Manganese, taken as directed on the
label (often there are low levels of this trace mineral).
- Pancreatin, taken with meals as directed
on the label, for protein digestion.
- Proteolytic enzymes, taken between meals
as directed on the label, for protein digestion.
- Vitamin C plus bioflavonoids,
3,000-8,000 mg. in divided doses per day, for adrenal glandular
insufficiency.
- Vitamin E, 400 IU daily, improves energy
and circulation.
- Zinc, 50 mg. per day, for zinc
deficiency.
- Dandelion root, taken as directed on the
label, is an excellent source of the B vitamins and calcium.
HERBS:
- Elecampane
- Dandelion
- Kudzu root
- Avocados
- Artichoke, Jerusalem
RECOMMENDATIONS:
- The diet should include vegetables, brown rice, avocados,
Jerusalem artichokes, seeds, grains, nuts, yogurt, raw
cheese, cottage cheese, and kefir milk.
- Remove sugar from the diet, refined and processed foods
such as instant rice and potatoes, white flour, soft
drinks, alcohol, and salt. Avoid sweet fruits and juices
such as grape and prune (if used, mix with water). Avoid
macaroni, noodles, gravies, hominy, white rice, yams, and
corn. Beans and baked potatoes twice a week is
permissible.
- The hypoglycemic should not go without food. Instead, he
should eat 6 to 8 small meals throughout the day. A high
fiber diet will help to stabilize the blood sugar swings.
During a low blood sugar reaction, combine fiber with a
protein food (bran or rice crackers with raw cheese or almond
butter). Instead of applesauce, eat a whole apple. The
fiber in the apple will inhibit fluctuations in blood
sugar levels. Fiber alone (popcorn, oat bran, rice bran, crackers,
and guar gum) will slow down a hypoglycemic reaction.
Take fiber a half hour before meals to avoid a reaction.
Spirulina tablets taken between meals will further
stabilize the blood sugar.
SUGGESTIONS:
Always see the doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Injections of vitamin B and liver have produced very good
results. Injections should be taken twice weekly for 3 months,
then once a week for 2 months. This helps the hypoglycemic to
tolerate the foods that produce low blood sugar reactions. These
are very important, especially in the elderly, because of common
malabsorption problems.
Approximately 50% of hypoglycemics over 50 years of age have
reduced thyroid function and hypothyroidism.
Caffeine, alcohol, and cigarette smoking result in profound
swings and instability of the blood sugar.
CAUTION:
Dandelion contact dermatitis has been reported from handling
the plant, probably caused by latex in the stems and leaves.
