| | | | Other Names | | | Low Blood Sugar, Blood Glucose, Blood Glucose Levels, Blood Sugar, Blood
Sugar Levels, Hypoglycemic, Glycemic Index, Glycemic, Glycemia,
Hypoglycaemia, Glycaemic Index, Glycaemic, Glycaemia.
View products | | | Also known as: Low Blood Sugar, Reactive
Hypoglycemia.
"Hypoglycemia" is the medical term for low blood
sugar (glucose). Occasionally, hypoglycemia can be dangerous (for example,
from injecting too much insulin). It may also indicate a serious
underlying medical condition, such as a tumor of the pancreas or liver
disease. More often, however, when people say they have hypoglycemia, they
are describing a group of symptoms that occur when the body overreacts to
the rise in blood sugar that occurs after eating, resulting in a rapid or
excessive fall in the blood sugar level. This is sometimes called
"reactive hypoglycemia."
Many people who believe they have reactive
hypoglycemia do not, in fact, have low blood sugar levels,1 and many
people who do have low blood sugar levels do not have any symptoms of
reactive hypoglycemia.2 Some evidence suggests that reactive hypoglycemia
may be partly a psychological condition.3 Consequently, some doctors
believe that reactive hypoglycemia does not exist.4 Most doctors, on the
other hand, have found reactive hypoglycemia to be a common cause of the
symptoms listed below.
What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Common symptoms of hypoglycemia are fatigue, anxiety, headaches,
difficulty concentrating, sweaty palms, shakiness, excessive hunger,
drowsiness, abdominal pain, and depression.
Conventional treatment
options: A diet of frequent, small, high-protein, low-carbohydrate meals
is often recommended. If illness prevents eating, hospitalization for
intravenous glucose injections is typically required. In cases of
pituitary or adrenal insufficiency, hormone replacement may be prescribed.
For hypoglycemia due to an insulin-producing tumor, surgical removal of
the tumor is usually recommended.
Dietary changes that may be
helpful: Doctors find that people with hypoglycemia usually improve when
they eliminate refined sugars and alcohol from their diet, eat foods high
in fiber (such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts),
and eat small, frequent meals. Few studies have investigated the effects
of these changes, but the research that is available generally supports
the observations of doctors.5 6 7 8 Some symptoms of low blood sugar may
be related to, or made worse by, food allergies.9
Even modest
amounts of caffeine may increase symptoms of hypoglycemia.10 For this
reason, caffeinated beverages (such as coffee, tea, and some soda pop)
should be avoided.
Some people report an improvement in
hypoglycemia episodes when eating a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet.
That observation appears to conflict with research showing that increasing
protein intake can impair the body's ability to process sugar,11 possibly
because protein increases insulin levels12 (insulin reduces blood sugar
levels). However, some doctors have seen good results with high-protein,
low-carbohydrate diets, particularly among people who do not improve with
a high-fiber, high-complex-carbohydrate diet.
Nutritional
supplements that may be helpful: Research has shown that supplementing
with chromium (200 mcg per day)13 or magnesium (340 mg per day)14 can
prevent blood sugar levels from falling excessively in people with
hypoglycemia. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) has also been found to be helpful
for hypoglycemic people.15 Other nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin
E, zinc, copper, manganese, and vitamin B6, may help control blood sugar
levels in diabetics.16 Since there are similarities in the way the body
regulates high and low blood sugar levels, these nutrients might be
helpful for hypoglycemia as well, although the amounts needed for that
purpose are not known.
Glucomannan is a water-soluble dietary fiber
that is derived from konjac root (Amorphophallus konjac). In a preliminary
trial,17 addition of either 2.6 or 5.2 grams of glucomannan to a meal
prevented hypoglycemia in adults with previous stomach surgery. A trial of
glucomannan in children with hypoglycemia due to a condition known as
"dumping syndrome" produced inconsistent results.18
Are there any
side effects or interactions? Refer to the individual supplement for
information about any side effects or
interactions.
References:
1. Palardy J, Havrankova J,
Lepage R, et al. Blood glucose measurements during symptomatic episodes in
patients with suspected postprandial hypoglycemia. N Engl J Med
1989;321:1421-5.
2. Kwentus, JA, Achilles JT, Goyer PF.
Hypoglycemia etiologic and psychosomatic aspects of diagnosis. Postgrad
Med 1982;71(6):99-104.
3. Johnson DD, Dorr KE, Swenson WM, Service
J. Reactive hypoglycemia. JAMA 1980;243:1151-5.
4. Yager J, Young
RT. A non-editorial on non-hypoglycemia. N Engl J Med
1974;291:905-8.
5. Sanders LR, Hofeldt FD, Kirk MC, Levin J.
Refined carbohydrate as a contributing factor in reactive hypoglycemia.
South Med J 1982;75:1072-5.
6. Permutt MA. Postprandial
hypoglycemia. Diabetes 1976;25:719-33.
7. O'Keefe SJD, Marks V.
Lunchtime gin and tonic as a cause of reactive hypoglycemia. Lancet
1977;1:1286-8.
8. Hofeldt FD. Reactive hypoglycemia. Metabolism
1975;24:1193-208.
9. Rippere V. "A little something between meals":
masked addiction not low blood blood-sugar. Lancet 1979;1:1349
[letter].
10. Watson JM, Jenkins EJ, Hamilton P, et al. Influence
of caffeine on the frequency and perception of hypoglycemia in free-living
patients with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2000;23:455-9.
11.
Anderson JW, Herman RH. Effects of carbohydrate restriction on glucose
tolerance of normal men and reactive hypoglycemic patients. Am J Clin Nutr
1975;28:748-55.
12. Ullrich IH, Peters PJ, Albrink JA. Effect of
low-carbohydrate diets high in either fat or protein on thyroid function,
plasma insulin, glucose, and triglycerides in healthy young adults. J Am
Coll Nutr 1985;4:451-9.
13. Anderson RA et al. Chromium
supplementation of humans with hypoglycemia. Fed Proc
1984;43:471.
14. Stebbing JB et al. Reactive hypoglycemia and
magnesium. Magnesium Bull 1982;2:131-4.
15. Shansky A. Vitamin B3
in the alleviation of hypoglycemia. Drug Cosm Ind
1981;129(4):68-69,104-5.
16. Gaby AR, Wright JV. Nutritional
regulation of blood glucose. J Advancement Med 1991;4:57-71.
17.
Hopman WP, Houben PG, Speth PA, Lamers CB. Glucomannan prevents
postprandial hypoglycaemia in patients with previous gastric surgery. Gut
1988;29:930-4.
18. Kneepkens CM, Fernandes J, Vonk RJ. Dumping
syndrome in children. Diagnosis and effect of glucomannan on glucose
tolerance and absorption. Acta Paediatr Scand
1988;77:279-86.
Source: NOW Foods
View products | |
Please Note: This Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. The products indicated above may be listed in error. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
| | 19 total products | | | | |  |
|
Hypoglycemia - Health - Hi Potency Vitamin B-Compound 50 90 tablets
15.48 US More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - Super Stress B Compound 50 - with 1000 mg Vitamin C 60 caplets
22.62 US More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - Spirulina - 400 mg 60 capsules
12.31 US In Stock - Ships Today! More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - Zinc-Nickel-Cobalt - Trace Element - Liquid 3.30 oz / 94 g
12.20 US More Info
| |  |
|
Hypoglycemia - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 1000 mg - Timed Release 90 tablets
25.57 US More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 100 mg 90 tablets
7.54 US More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 250 mg 90 tablets
10.08 US In Stock - Ships Today! More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - D-Pantothenic Acid - B5 - 500 mg - Plus Rosehips, Green Cabbage 90 tablets
17.06 US More Info
| |  |
|
Hypoglycemia - Health - Super B Compound - with 500 mg Vitamin C 90 tablets
14.32 US More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - Chromium - HVP Chelate - Timed Release - 500mcg 90 tablets
9.61 US More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - Fructose Fruit Sugar - 100% Pure 24 oz / 681 g
4.76 US More Info
| |
Hypoglycemia - Health - Spirulina - 450 mg 100 capsules
12.96 US In Stock - Ships Today! More Info
| |  |  |  | 1 2 Next  |
|