Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia, meaning low blood sugar, occurs when there is an unusually  low level of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Reactive hypoglycemia means that the blood sugar dips to very low levels a few hours after eating causing sweating, tremors, rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and hunger due to the over production of insulin. When the blood sugar drops hormones are produces to prevent the blood sugar level from dropping dramatically. Fasting hypoglycemia occurs when one has not eaten for many hours and the symptoms are usually more severe. Fasting hypoglycemia is typically a result of liver disease or a tumor of the pancreas and can result in seizures, loss of consciousness, and a loss of mental acuteness. Hypoglycemia may cause the following symptoms: dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations, nausea, blurred vision, an inability to concentrate, light-headedness, headache, irritability, fainting spells, depression, nervousness, anxiety, cravings for sweets, confusion, night sweats, weakness in the legs, swollen feet, a feeling of tightness in the chest, constant hunger, pain in various parts of the body, nervous habits, mental disturbances, and insomnia.  Poor dietary habits are usually the cause of hypoglycemia. Consuming too much sugar, caffeine, alcohol, simple carbohydrates, soft drinks, and not enough complex carbohydrates can cause hypoglycemia.

For hypoglycemia remove all alcohol, canned and packaged foods, refined and processed foods, dried fruits, salt, sugar, saturated fats, soft drinks, artificial flavors and colorings, and white flour from the diet. Avoid sweet fruits and juices and sweeten food with all natural sweeteners. Get protein from low-fat cottage cheese, fish, grains, kefir, raw cheese, raw nuts, seeds, skinless white turkey or white chicken breast, and low-fat yogurt.Eat plenty of fiber including large amounts of raw or steamed broccoli, carrots, Jerusalem artichokes, spinach, squash and string beans. Eat whole grains, brown rice, oats, oat bran, lentils, potatoes, soy products, apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, cantaloupes, grapefruits, lemons, persimmons, and maitake mushrooms.  Do not eat a lot of starches such as corn, hominy, noodles, pasta, white rice, and yams. Do not eat fatty foods including bacon, fried foods, gravies, ham, sausage, or high fat, un-soured dairy products. Eat plenty of avocados  as they contain a sugar that reduces insulin production. Do not go without food or eat large heavy meals. Eat small regular meals throughout the day.