Understanding the Risks of Elevated Blood Sugar: What You Need to Know

When blood sugar levels rise, it can have a significant impact on overall health. High blood sugar can lead to various complications, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 34% of adults in the United States have elevated blood glucose levels, increasing their risk for developing type 2 diabetes.

The Consequences of Blood Sugar Spikes

One of the primary quickest way to bring down blood sugar concerns with high blood sugar is its impact on insulin resistance. Insulin resistance occurs when cells become less responsive to insulin, making it harder for glucose to enter the cell and leading to increased blood sugar levels. This condition can also contribute to inflammation, which has been linked to various chronic diseases (1). Elevated blood sugar can also cause fatigue, blurred vision, and skin conditions such as acanthosis nigricans.

Managing Blood Sugar through Dietary Changes

Maintaining a healthy diet is crucial in managing blood sugar levels. Focus on whole foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains to help regulate blood glucose (2). Limit or avoid processed foods that are high in added sugars, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. The glycemic index can also be used as a guide when selecting food options; choose low-GI foods such as non-starchy vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains.

The Role of Exercise in Blood Sugar Regulation

Regular physical activity is essential for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Exercise increases what herb lowers blood sugar quickly insulin sensitivity by making it easier for glucose to enter cells (3). Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise or blood sugar level of 120 in the morning 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise per week, combined with resistance training and high-intensity interval training.

Stress Management: A Key Component in Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels

Chronic stress can negatively impact blood sugar levels by causing cortisol production. Cortisol is a hormone released during times of stress that raises glucose levels in the bloodstream (4). Engage in stress-reducing activities such as yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises to help manage chronic stress.

Monitoring and Tracking Blood blood sugar 191 Sugar Levels

Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels can provide valuable insights into overall health. Use a glucometer or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels, aiming for an ideal range between 70-130 mg/dL before meals and less than 180 mg/dL after eating. Keep accurate records of tracking results and share with healthcare providers to adjust treatment plans as needed.

Conclusion

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is crucial in reducing the risk of various complications associated with elevated glucose levels, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. By understanding the risks, making informed dietary choices, incorporating regular exercise into daily routines, managing stress effectively, monitoring blood sugar levels regularly, and adjusting lifestyle habits as necessary can contribute to achieving a stable blood glucose range.

References: (1) Harvard Health Publishing. (2020). Insulin resistance: Causes & prevention. (2) American Diabetes Association. (2019). Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2019. (3) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Physical Activity Basics. (4) Mayo Clinic Staff. Cortisol hormone - what is it?

Get access to my FREE resources 👉 I explain reactive hypoglycemia. Timestamps: 0:00 Why reactive hypoglycemia is important to understand 1:00 You don’t want blood sugar too low or too high 4:07 I agree that the best diet for hypoglycemia emphasizes healthy fats and protein I explain what reactive hypoglycemia is and why you need to understand it. There’s a condition called postprandial hypoglycemia which is different; it’s the low blood sugar that happens anywhere from immediately to four hours after a meal, especially a high carb one. Your body tries to keep your blood sugar tightly controlled; not too high, not too low. Insulin is the hormone that tries to reduce your blood sugar. There are other hormones releasing sugar back into your blood to ensure your blood glucose doesn’t go too low. Too low and you could experience these symptoms: tiredness, brain fog, dizziness, craving sweets, or even a coma if it goes badly low. With hypoglycemia, the insulin overreacts and pushes the blood sugar down with too much force and/or not enough adrenal support so your cortisol is low. If you have a liver problem and your body doesn’t have enough of the hormone called IGF to counter the insulin. Or there’s another hormone produced by the pancreas called glucagon which also counters insulin. Sometimes the medical profession doesn’t acknowledge that hypoglycemia exists. There are levels of hypoglycemia. You can’t just test fasting glucose, you have to test blood sugar at one-hour intervals for four hours after a meal. I don’t even think the test is valid because you drink a glucose mixture. Ideally your blood sugar is below 70. But even if it’s 75 or 80 and you have hypoglycemia symptoms, you could have severe insulin resistance. Because insulin controls the input of glucose into your cells, your cells could be starving for glucose yet your blood sugar tests at a normal level. I agree that the best diet for hypoglycemia emphasizes healthy fats and protein. But it’s really as simple as cutting out carbs. I guarantee if you stop eating carbs and adapt to fat burning your blood sugar will come out nicely and you won’t have hypoglycemic symptoms anymore. Our bodies aren’t designed to run off of high carbohydrate diets. Some experts advise frequent small meals to heal longstanding hypoglycemia. I disagree. Every time you eat you stimulate insulin. If you eat less frequently you’ll keep insulin low. Without high insulin your blood sugar will be level. Eating sugar and refined carbohydrates triggers excessive reactions by the pancreas, which leads to reactive hypoglycemia. Talk to a Product Advisor to find the best product for you! Call 1-540-299-1556 with your questions about Dr. Berg's products. Product Advisors are available Monday through Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 9am-5pm EST. * At this time, we no longer offer Keto Consulting and our Product Advisors will only be advising on which product is best for you and advise on how to take them. Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio: Dr. Berg, age 56, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media. Follow Me On Social Media: Facebook: Instagram: Anchor: TikTok: ABOUT DR. BERG: Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Thanks for watching!