We have all heard of the importance of keeping our blood sugar levels in check. But what happens when our blood sugar levels drop too low?
Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, can be caused by not eating enough, skipping meals, or exercising too vigorously. The symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling shaky, sweating, having a rapid heartbeat, and feeling nauseous or dizzy. If you are experiencing these symptoms, it is important to act quickly in order to raise your blood sugar levels back to normal. Read on for some tips on how to do just that.
3 Ways on How to Fix Low Blood Sugar
1. Eat or drink something that contains sugar.
This could be a piece of candy, a fruit juice, or a regular soft drink. Consuming something with sugar will give your body the glucose it needs to bring your blood sugar levels back up to normal.
2. Eat a complex carbohydrate.
Complex carbohydrates are slowly broken down by the body and converted into glucose, giving you a steadier stream of energy than sugary snacks would. Good complex carbohydrate options include whole wheat bread, oatmeal, brown rice, and legumes.
3. Get moving!
Exercise helps to increase your body’s insulin sensitivity and can therefore help to regulate your blood sugar levels. A quick walk around the block or some jumping jacks should do the trick!
Home Remedies for Low Blood Sugar
Managing blood sugar can be a full-time job. If you’re someone who struggles with low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, you know how important it is to keep your levels in check. While there are many different medications and treatments available, sometimes the simplest remedies are the best. Here are some home remedies for low blood sugar that you can easily find, prepare and do.
Apple Cider Vinegar
You might be surprised to see apple cider vinegar on this list, but it’s a popular home remedy for a variety of ailments, including low blood sugar. Apple cider vinegar helps to regulate blood sugar by slowing the rate at which food leaves your stomach and enters your bloodstream. This gives your body more time to process the sugars and prevents spikes in blood sugar levels. To use this remedy, simply mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drink before meals. You can also add a bit of honey or lemon juice to improve the taste.
Cinnamon
This common spice has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels by increasing insulin sensitivity. Cinnamon also slows the rate at which food leaves your stomach, giving your body more time to digest the sugars properly. To use this remedy, simply add one teaspoon of cinnamon to your favorite beverage or breakfast dish. You can also take cinnamon supplements, but be sure to talk to your doctor before doing so.
Chromium Picolinate
Chromium is a mineral that helps the body process sugars properly. When chromium levels are low, it can lead to problems like high blood sugar and Type 2 diabetes. Chromium picolinate is a type of chromium that’s easily absorbed by the body and has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels. You can find chromium picolinate supplements at most health food stores. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.
Eat Slowly and Steadily
Another home remedy you can do in treating low blood sugar is to avoid letting your blood sugar levels drop too low in the first place. One way to do this is by eating slowly and steady throughout the day. Eating small meals every few hours will help keep your blood sugar levels stable. It’s also important to choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains and vegetables instead of simple sugars like candy or cake. Complex carbs take longer for your body to break down, so they won’t cause your blood sugar to spike and then crash the way simple sugars do.
Drink Water
Dehydration can make symptoms of low blood sugar worse, so it’s important to drink water throughout the day. Carry a water bottle with you everywhere you go and take a sip every few minutes, even if you’re not thirsty. If you’re exercising or in a hot environment, you’ll need to drink even more water to prevent dehydration.
Take a Glucagon Shot
If you have trouble swallowing or keeping food down when you’re feeling hypoglycemic, a glucagon shot may be a better option for you. Glucagon is a hormone that helps raise blood sugar levels. It’s available by prescription only, so make sure to talk to your doctor before trying this remedy.
How to Heal Hypoglycemia?
As mentioned earlier, Hypoglycemia refers to low blood sugar levels. It is also known as insulin shock or low blood glucose. Individuals with hypoglycemia experience symptoms like anxiety, sweating, heart palpitations, increased heart rate, and hunger. In severe cases, it can lead to fainting or seizures.
The condition can be caused by several factors including diabetes, dieting, certain medications, strenuous exercise, surgery, or alcoholism. Although there is no cure for hypoglycemia, there are several natural ways to manage and treat the symptoms.
Dietary Changes
One of the best ways to treat hypoglycemia is to change your diet. Opt for complex carbs like whole grains and vegetables as they are slowly broken down and absorbed into the bloodstream. This provides a steady supply of energy without the highs and lows of sugary snacks. Another great option is protein-rich foods like nuts, seeds, tofu, and legumes as they help stabilize blood sugar levels.
In addition to choosing the right foods, it’s also important to eat small meals throughout the day rather than large ones. This helps keep your blood sugar levels steady instead of allowing them to fluctuate wildly. Finally, be sure to drink plenty of water as dehydration can make symptoms worse.
Herbal Remedies
There are several herbs that have been traditionally used to treat hypoglycemia. One of the most popular is licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). Licorice root extract has been shown to increase levels of cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Other herbs that may be helpful include dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), ginseng (Panax ginseng), and ginger (Zingiber officinale). Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplements as they can interact with certain medications.
Vitamins and Minerals
Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for stabilizing blood sugar levels and treating hypoglycemia naturally. Chromium is a mineral that helps insulin move glucose from the bloodstream into cells where it can be used for energy. It’s found in foods like broccoli, green beans, whole grains, nuts, eggs, and meat.
Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism . It’s found in poultry , fish , potatoes , rice , soybeans , and Brussels sprouts . Vitamin C is another important vitamin for treating hypoglycemia as it helps the body absorb iron which is necessary for proper oxygenation of the blood . Vitamin C-rich foods include citrus fruits , tomatoes , potatoes , bell peppers , broccoli , Brussels sprouts , spinach , kale , and strawberries.
Final Thoughts
Low blood sugar levels can be dangerous, especially if you have diabetes. It’s important to notice the signs that you are experiencing low blood sugar and know how to quickly raise your blood sugar back up to a safe level. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before trying any natural remedy, and make lifestyle changes under their supervision to ensure the best possible outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Should I Eat if My Blood Sugar Level is Low?
Feed the person a quick-acting sugar source (regular soft drink or fruit juice). After that, have them consume a long-lasting sugar supply (crackers and cheese or a sandwich with meat).
Can Low Blood Sugar Fix Itself?
A person who is having a low blood sugar episode can address it right away by ingesting foods or beverages that can swiftly raise blood sugar levels. A sandwich or a glass of milk or orange juice are examples of alternatives to consider.
What Happens if Blood Sugar is Too Low?
As a result, one may experience blurred vision, trouble concentrating, difficulty thinking clearly, slurred speech, numbness, and sleepiness. Seizures, coma, and sometimes death may result if blood sugar levels drop too low and starve the brain of glucose for an extended period of time.
Does Low Blood Sugar Make You Sleepy?
Fatigue is another symptom of low blood sugar, especially in those who experience it frequently and do not receive ample warning that it is happening. Even after receiving medication for low blood sugar, a person may still feel worn out.
Is Low Blood Sugar Diabetes?
People who use insulin frequently experience low blood sugar, but some oral diabetic drugs can also cause it. Taking excessive amounts of insulin or diabetes medications are two common causes of diabetic hypoglycemia as well as not eating enough.
