Hypoglycemia: Diet, Herbal and Exercise Treatments

The first step toward the natural treatment of hypoglycemia rests in your diet.  And the very first change that needs to be made is the elimination of sugar . . . as well as foods made from sugar.

Great, you say.  I don't use that much sugar anyway.  But wait.  We're not just talking about the teaspoon or so you put in your 

morning coffee or tea.  We're talking about the nearly ubiquitous amounts of sugar that are found everywhere � and we mean everywhere.

When you eliminate sugar that means you eat no cake, candy, cookies, ice cream, sweetened cereal, canned fruit and frozen desserts, just for starters.  Then you need to become even more of a savvy shopper, because you have to scour the labels at the grocery store to mine the hidden sugar from the processed and packaged foods.  In fact, it's a great idea to avoid both the processed and packaged foodstuffs as much as possible � just for that reason!

It's recommended that you eliminate the use of all artificial sweeteners from your diet too.

You'll also need to stay away as much as possible from instant rice and instant potatoes, as well as white flour, soft drinks and alcohol.

Instead, the bulk of your diet should come from complex carbohydrates and fiber.  Both of these categories help to stabilize the blood sugar levels.  The goal is to eat the most natural, least processed forms of food possible.  With our hectic lifestyles this is a tall order, but the closer you can get to this goal, the less you'll have to deal with the symptoms of hypoglycemia.

Another way to reduce chances of experiencing low blood sugar is to eat your meals at regular times.  Don't skip meals and don't eat late.  Be sure that you include some protein at both your lunch and your dinner.

Limiting � or better yet � eliminating alcohol intake will help alleviate the symptoms to this problem immensely.  Additionally, medical experts suggest that quitting smoking will also help.

Try to drink only one cup of caffeinated tea or coffee daily.  The same goes for soft drinks that have caffeine.  A hidden source of caffeine you'll want to watch out for is over the counter drugs.  Some headache tablets especially include caffeine as an active ingredient.

And while you're contemplating those changes in diet, think about adding some exercise to your daily routine as well.  Exercise is an important tool in the management for hypoglycemia.  It's a great metabolic booster.  Your body benefits through an increase in insulin sensitivity as well as lowering your insulin needs.  In fact, initiating a weight control program is one of the best things you can do to improve your overall health.

Herbal Treatments

In addition to diet and exercise, you may want to consider using any of several herbal supplements to help lower your blood sugar levels.  Many individuals find that by using these natural supplements or herbal teas, their hypoglycemia is more easily controlled.  And the added bonus is that many individuals report increased stamina, energy and a better outlook on life.

One of the most effective herbs is one you probably already use, perhaps on a daily basis, for your cooking.  It's garlic and it's already recognized as an effective, natural way to lower blood pressure. It's also a super supplement for naturally increasing your blood sugar levels.

Licorice is another good herb for those with hypoglycemia.  According to professional herbalists, licorice has been known to strengthen the adrenal glands.

Another marvelous herb to help alleviate your symptoms of low blood sugar is sarsaparilla.  This plant contains cortin, one of the hormones secreted by the adrenal glands. If cortin is not created in sufficient amounts, the body easily gets ill and develops a nervous depression and general weakness. Many diseases, including the disorder hypoglycemia, are related to adrenal weakness and exhaustion.

You may also want to start drinking blueberry tea.  Individuals with hypoglycemia have reported immense benefits from this herbal brew.  Dandelion is another herb that individuals report have helped them with low blood sugar.  Usually thought of as only a nuisance and a weed in the United States, it really is amazingly effective in improving the functions of the pancreas. Professional herbalists recommend using the root of this yellow flower in tea and drink it two to three times a day.  Drunk in conjunction with a healthy diet, you'll notice an improvement in your hypoglycemia.

Try a china seed smoothie to help give you energy as well as strength for several hours at a stretch.  Blend the following with one-quarter to one-half cup of china seed: a cup of milk, a cup of juice of your choice and two bananas.  You should keep these in the blender until the ingredients are smooth.  Let it sit for several minutes and blend again.  You'll be amazed at the increased energy you'll receive after drinking it.

You might also want to try juniper. This herb is also a great strengthener of the adrenal glands and the pancreas.  Some professional herbalists recommending using this herb along with hawthorn berries to provide an even quicker alleviation of the symptoms.

Note: Some statements in this article may not be approved by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice.

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