Fiber does not contribute to your calorie intake, and is not actually digested by the body at all, yet on mandatory food labels for all consumable products, fiber is listed under total carbohydrate. If you have diabetes, it’s very important to take note of this, because while most carbohydrates have a negative effect on blood sugar levels, fiber does not.

Since fiber isn’t digested, it doesn’t actually raise your glucose levels. Thinking abstractly, fiber will lead to lower blood glucose levels by not raising the levels at all. This is because most people will include fiber in the amount of total carbohydrates they allow themselves to consume. It’s an inverse way of thinking, but it’s very important to note since people with diabetes might not be making the distinction between fiber and carbohydrates when looking at a food label.

Fiber doesn’t raise your blood glucose level, but all of the other carbohydrates grouped together on the food label almost certainly do. Therefore, if you have diabetes, and you are developing a new diet, fiber intake becomes extremely important to you. Unless you are aware of this key difference you might end up undercutting your blood glucose level expectations when building your dieting program. In fact, including a large amount of soluble fiber in your diet will actually help to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Fiber should be a strong part of any diet, whether you are dealing with blood glucose issues or not. According to the American Diabetes Association, the amount of fiber you should consume increases as you age. Men over the age of 50 should have 30 grams per day, while men younger than 50 should have 38 grams per day. Woman over 50 should have 21 grams per day, and women under 50 should have 25 grams per day.

For anyone with unstable blood glucose levels, knowing the first signs of diabetes is important. Detecting the disease early may lead to more effective treatment and prevention of further damage. Understanding the cause of these symptoms is just as important in making the appropriate lifestyle and medical changes to address the condition.

Frequent Urination and Excessive Thirst

When blood sugar levels are too high, the body makes adjustments to keep the body from shutting down. Kidneys go into overdrive in an attempt to balance blood sugar levels, and excess sugar is excreted through urination. Aside from frequent trips to the bathroom, this process saps the body of water, leading to constant thirst.

Extreme Fatigue

There are a few factors that can lead to excessive fatigue in diabetics. Dehydration certainly doesn’t help. High blood sugar slows the circulation of blood, making it more difficult to distribute oxygen and vital nutrients throughout the body. On the other hand, blood that’s too low in sugar can’t provide cells the energy they need to properly function. All of these conditions result in feeling tired and sluggish.

Blurred Vision

Many people are unaware of the drastic effects that diabetes can have on the eyes. Water is pulled into the lens of the eye, causing swelling that leads to blurred vision. Balancing blood sugar levels can alleviate these symptoms. However, the longer blood sugar levels are off, the more blood vessels in the retina can weaken, effecting blood flow and leaking fluids. Over time, this can result in permanent blindness.

Cuts and Bruises

It’s not the presence of cuts and bruises that’s significant, but their failure to heal in a normal amount of time. A correlation between slow healing wounds and high blood sugar shows that diabetes hinders the body’s ability to heal itself effectively. Damaged blood vessels aren’t able to assist as much as they need to for recovery.

Hunger and Weight Loss

If blood sugar is too high, the body excretes sugar through urination, and the body loses calories in the process. In the case of low blood glucose, or if the body loses the ability to properly absorb sugar, constant hunger and rapid weight loss can arise.

Tingling or Numb Extremities

If your arms, legs, fingers or toes tingle or feel numb, you might have nerve damage resulting from diabetes. This results from the excessive blood sugar, slow blood flow, and inflammation associated with the disease.

Watching your diet is one of the best ways to manage blood sugar levels and get back on a healthy track. Avoiding these common culprits will take much of the guesswork out of what you can and can’t eat.

Breakfast

We’ll start off with the most important meal of the day, which is often the most sugary meal of the day as well. Common breakfast foods like pancakes and waffles are made with a good amount of sugar to begin with, yet we proceed to douse them with ultra-sweet maple syrup, powdered sugar, and candied fruits. Instead of satisfying your sweet tooth first thing in the morning, try basing your breakfast around a protein rich source like egg whites. This will provide steadier energy levels that will last longer into the day.

Fruit Juice

Despite the recent popularity of “juicing” fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit juice is essentially a dense concentration of sugar. Guzzling down a glass of OJ will send your blood sugar levels flying. Try flavoring a glass of regular or sparkling water with a bit of lemon or lime juice. It might take some getting used to, but you’d be surprised at how refreshing and enjoyable it can be. Sports drinks are another culprit that are sometimes mistakenly considered a healthier option than sodas.

Candy

This one should go without saying. Most candy is made of almost pure sugar and contains no nutritional value whatsoever. If you need to eat something sweet, make it a natural choice like a fresh piece of fruit.

Starchy Vegetables

Vegetables are normally a very healthy choice, but some are better than others are. Potatoes, yams, and corn are all starchy vegetables that will spike your blood sugar, especially if you eat a large quantity. You’re much better off eating a salad of greens or a crown of broccoli.

White Bread

White bread may not taste overly sweet, but digestion quickly turns it into an abundant source of sugar. Put a small piece of white bread in your mouth and let it dissolve for a while. It will begin to taste sweet just like other sources of sugar. The same is true for white rice and pasta. Choose whole grain bread options and brown rice whenever possible. They’ll still raise your blood sugar, but much more slowly.

“Hidden” Sources

Many sneaky foods don’t seem to have much sugar even though they are full of it. Ketchup and barbeque sauce are loaded with sugar. Even “health” foods like energy bars and low-fat yogurt have much more sugar than you might expect. Think carefully about what you eat and try to read the ingredients on a product whenever possible.

German researchers gathered 141 test subjects with an average age of 63 years old. None of the subjects had a history of memory problems, and none had been diagnosed with diabetes, or even prediabetes. The subjects were given memory tests and blood glucose tests. They also underwent brain scans to measure the size of their hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with short and long-term memory and with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers found that those with higher blood glucose levels over extended periods of time had a more difficult time remembering large amounts of words. The findings weren’t necessarily surprising to the medical community, as it’s already been suspected that high blood sugar increases risk of dementia and makes recovery from a stroke more difficult, both neurological conditions. What the study does do is further the notion that high glucose levels keep the brain from functioning at the level it should.

Scientists were sure to note that while the research concludes an association between high blood sugar and lower memory function, it doesn’t quite explain the cause and effect relationships at play. While further testing will be needed, the medical community is hoping that future findings might show that lowering blood sugar over time can improve memory, or at least keep it from worsening.

What remain clear are the negative effects high blood glucose levels can have on health, and that the list of health problems affected by them will continue to grow. GlucoMiracle can help you manage blood sugar levels with its four powerful, pure and potent ingredients.

Everybody experiences the dawn phenomenon, usually somewhere between 4 am and 8 am. At this time, the body produces an assortment of hormones, including growth hormone, cortisol, catecholamines, glucagon, and epinephrine. They cause the liver to release a surge of glucose into the body, presumably to provide the proper amount of energy for a person to wake up from a deep sleep. The body responds by producing insulin to bring blood sugar back down to manageable levels.

For diabetics, however, this is a problem, as they either cannot produce insulin or are desensitized to it. The result can be a potentially dangerous rise in blood glucose levels that must be managed from the outside. In mild cases, a diabetic can calm the effects by eating a proper breakfast upon awakening. More serious cases might call for a dose of insulin in the middle of the night or just before bed. Eating closer to bedtime is sometimes advised as well, as the dawn phenomenon may be lessened if the body hasn’t been fasting as long.

For some, the dawn phenomenon is just another fascinating instance of physiological miracle in the human body. For others, it’s another nagging factor that needs to be closely monitored and compensated for.

GlucoMiracle can help you manage blood sugar levels with its four powerful, pure and potent ingredients.

When dealing with diabetes, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. The disease affects people from all walks of life, and earlier this week, movie star Tom Hanks added his name to the list. In an interview on the “Late Show with David Letterman”, the famous actor revealed that he recently received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis from his doctor.

Hanks explained that he’s been struggling with high blood sugar levels for 20 years. High glucose levels are indeed recognized as a major precursor in the development of type 2 diabetes. It’s important to closely monitor diet and the affect it has on blood sugar to reduce potential risk. Engaging in physical activity can also help in maintaining healthier blood sugar levels that mitigate risk.

Hanks also highlighted the positive effects weight management can have, even after a diagnosis. He told of his doctor’s advice to return to teenage weight levels, and joked about how difficult that would be, seeing that he weighed only 96 lbs. in high school. All kidding aside, it has been shown that losing weight can alleviate the symptoms, and even reverse some effects, of type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is much more difficult to control, diet and exercise can greatly improve the condition of type 2 sufferers.

It’s now being suggested that Hanks’ fluctuating weight throughout life could have played a part in his present condition. He’s earned a great amount of respect for his serious approach to different roles, which sometimes involves losing or gaining a large amount of weight to lend authenticity to an acting performance. Steady weight levels encourage a better bodily response to insulin and blood sugar regulation.

The good news is that Hanks now appears healthy, and has a positive attitude about his condition. Hopefully, the high publicity of his announcement will help to raise awareness about the disease, and inspire those with high blood sugar to take their health seriously.

GlucoMiracle can help you manage high blood sugar levels with its four powerful, pure and potent ingredients.

Let’s start with free radicals, another term that gets thrown around frequently. Free radicals are essentially molecules with an odd number of electrons. Chemistry 101 teaches that these free radicals will inevitable embark on a mission through our bodies to find a balancing electron. The problem with this process is that they damage otherwise healthy cells in the process. Moreover, while they are a natural byproduct of metabolism, other factors including pollution, radiation, and poor diets add an unhealthy dose of free radicals, leaving our bodies struggling to adjust.

This process of that produces harmful free radicals is referred to as oxidation, or oxidative stress. That rusty bicycle in your backyard is a result of oxidation. The rotting food you forgot to take out of the fridge and the fading paint on the outside of your home are also caused by oxidation. In humans, oxidation shows its effects through aging and the development of medical conditions and disease. In some cases, oxidation contributes to unhealthy blood glucose levels and the body’s inability to regulate insulin.

Given this information, the role of antioxidants should make perfect sense. As the name implies, antioxidants are molecules that combat oxidation, preventing the formation of free radicals and the chain reaction of damage they can cause. They support pancreas health, helping the organ produce insulin and properly regulate blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that antioxidants can have these positive effects on individuals regardless of their age, sex, or health.

Curcuminoid, one of the four main ingredients found in GlucoMiracle, is a powerful antioxidant that comes from India. Along with gymnema, bitter melon, and chromium, curcumin can help you manage normal blood sugar levels.

How the Monitor Works

When you use a blood glucose monitor, you can see your blood sugar results displayed on the screen after you have properly used the device. If you have diabetes, a blood sugar monitor will help you manage your blood sugar levels. The monitor is a small computerized device used to “read” your blood sugar levels.

Accuracy

According to the American Diabetes Association, medical experts find that most blood glucose monitors are accurate. In fact, when a meter is inaccurate, the individual operating the machine probably made an error. Some of the reasons why your blood glucose monitor could have an inaccurate reading include:

• Your meter might not be clean. Dirty meters can affect the reading.
• You could have used outdated test strips.
• The blood glucose monitor might not be calibrated.
• The drop of blood you used could be too small.

Benefits of Monitoring Your Blood Glucose Levels

Some of the benefits associated with monitoring your blood glucose levels include:

• Preventing Blurred Vision or Blindness – Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness for individuals who have high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia.
• Preventing Diabetic Neuropathy – Nerve damage could occur due to diabetes. If your nerve system is damaged, the way you hear, taste, smell, and see could be negatively affected. Your digestive tract could also be slowed down or stopped altogether.

Finding the Best Meter

When you look for a blood glucose meter, you will be surprised at the different types of devices that are available to you. For instance, monitors are available for individuals with bad eye-sight; these meters are easier to read. It is a good idea to keep a log of your blood glucose readings; there are some meters that help you do just that. These specific devices come with memory, which will store your results, allowing you to go back and check a reading at a later time.

The type of blood glucose monitor that you purchase is usually up to you, although there are times when a physician will instruct you to purchase a specific type of blood glucose meter, based on your health history. When you search for a blood glucose monitor, you should ask yourself a few questions, such as:

• Is this meter easy for me to use?
• Can I clean and maintain the meter easily?
• Is this brand recommended? (Check online reviews for the brand before you make the purchase).
• What special features does the device have?
• Will I receive customer service support using the monitor after I have made the purchase?

Keep in mind that insurance companies may or may not pay for your blood glucose monitoring device; however, you still need to choose the meter that works the best for you, regardless of its cost. Do not put a price-tag on your health.

You do not need to be diagnosed with diabetes to monitor your blood glucose levels; in fact, you could possibly prevent diabetes if you monitor your blood sugar. Living a healthy and stress-free life could help you keep your blood glucose levels normal, and prevent other medical conditions such as kidney disease, heart attacks, strokes, seizures, and even death. It is beneficial to your body if you monitor your lifestyle, and your blood glucose levels!

References:

“Blood Glucose Meter: How to Choose.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/blood-glucose-meter/MY00924. Accessed on September 27, 2013.

“Blood Glucose Meters.” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/blood-glucose-meters.html. Accessed on September 27, 2013.

“Monitoring Blood Sugar and Avoiding Diabetes Complications.” WebMD. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/monitoring-blood-sugar-avoiding-diabetes-complications. Accessed on September 27, 2013.

High Blood Sugar for Diabetics

Hyperglycemia is another term used for high blood sugar. If you have diabetes, you could experience episodes of hyperglycemia every now and then. There are different reasons why someone with diabetes might experience high blood glucose levels. For instance, if your doctor has prescribed a medication or supplement for you, that medication might not be enough to control your glucose levels. Check with your doctor if you need to adjust your dosage to help you lower your glucose levels. The food that you eat can also increase your blood sugar levels. Lack of exercise or very intense exercise could also affect your blood glucose levels. Practice a healthy lifestyle to prevent experiencing hyperglycemia.

Stress as well as non-diabetic medications could lead to hyperglycemia. Make appropriate lifestyle changes and adjustments in order to remain in good health. Those lifestyle changes include exercise, eating the best diabetic meals with plenty of raw vegetables and snacks, taking the medications or supplements prescribed or approved by your doctor, in addition to getting enough rest, and avoiding stress.

Our 4 Step Action plan can help you control your blood glucose levels. To learn about the 4 Step Action Plan for diabetics, click here.

Don’t Ignore the Symptoms

Look for symptoms of hyperglycemia. Some of the symptoms will occur immediately, while others will not take place as quickly. Those symptoms you will notice early-on include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue
• Increased Urination
• Excessive Thirst
• Blurred Vision

Some symptoms that may take longer to occur include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Fruity-Smelling Breath
• Dry Mouth

There are other symptoms associated with hyperglycemia, and none of those symptoms should be ignored. If you have any of the symptoms, test your blood glucose levels immediately. You have the option to test your blood sugar levels at home, or you can visit your doctor to have a test administered.

To learn about blood glucose monitors, click here.

Treating Hyperglycemia

If you experience hyperglycemia, treat it immediately. Failing to treat this condition could lead to severe problems, including heart, kidney, nerve, and eye complications. You could also find yourself in a diabetic coma if you do not treat high blood sugar levels quickly. A diabetic coma is the result of your body being dehydrated, and your blood sugar levels rising too high. To learn more about diabetic comas, click here.

If hyperglycemia is left untreated, it could also cause seizures, or lead to death. You need to take care of your body to help control your blood glucose levels, so they can be as normal as possible. You can learn more about how to control high blood sugar levels by clicking here.

Take care of your body, whether you experience diabetes or not. If you have normal blood sugar levels, you could prevent various medical conditions, including diabetes simply by practicing a healthy lifestyle.

References:

“Hyperglycemia in Diabetes.” Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hyperglycemia/DS01168. Accessed on September 26, 2013.

Edelman, Steven, M.D. “What Causes High Blood Sugar and What Harm Can it do to my Body.” ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/DiabetesOverview/story?id=3843485. Accessed on September 26, 2013.

Kerns, Michelle. “Difference Between Diabetes & Hyperglycemia.” Livestrong. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/275399-difference-between-diabetes-hyperglycemia/. Accessed on September 26, 2013.

“Diabetic Coma in Type 2 Diabetes.” WebMD. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/hyperglycemic-hyperosmolar-nonketonic-syndrome?redirect=%2fcontent%2farticle%2f46%2f1667_50948&_referer_=earthlink.webmd.com&orig_qs=. Accessed on September 27, 2013.

If your blood sugar levels are low – typically below 70 mg/dL – you have hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar. If you are suffering from diabetes, it is common to have low blood sugar levels. Failing to control your blood sugar could lead to stroke, heart attack, and even death.

Causes

There are various issues that could cause low blood sugar levels, such as food intake and the amount of exercise you receive. The food you eat is necessary for energy; therefore, lack of food could lead to low blood glucose levels. If your body is unable to produce enough energy to function, the effect could be life-threatening.

Other causes of hypoglycemia include:

• Alcohol use.
• Metabolic problems.
• Liver, kidney, or pancreas disease.
• Certain surgical procedures, such as stomach surgery.
• Reactions to certain medications.

Symptoms

Tests can be done to determine your blood glucose levels. Test your blood sugar levels as often as possible; doing so allows you to treat the issue before it becomes too serious.

Some of the low blood sugar symptoms include:

• Sweating – Specifically Near the Back of Your Hairline
• Restlessness
• Personality Changes
• Loss of Consciousness
• Blurred Vision
• Loss of Balance
• Slight Nausea
• Irritability
• Headaches and Dizziness

The symptoms of hypoglycemia will vary from person-to-person. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, test blood glucose levels immediately.

Foods

If you are suffering from low blood sugar, you will need to eat foods and beverages that have a great deal of complex carbohydrates, as well as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. When you eat vegetables or fruits, make sure you eat them raw. Processed food is not good for your body, especially if you have diabetes.

Some of the foods that could prevent hypoglycemia are:

• Nuts
• Wheat Germ
• Vinegar
• Lemon Juice
• Acidic Fruits
• Artichokes
• Celery

Do not skip meals; this could cause you to have low blood sugar levels. Carry snacks  with you to eat in case your blood sugar levels become too low.

How to Raise Blood Sugar Levels Quickly

There are some types of foods you can eat that have the potential to raise your blood sugar levels quickly. If you have a blood sugar level below 70 mg/dL, you should eat at least 15 grams of carbohydrates that contains sugar.

Here are some examples of what you should eat to raise your blood sugar levels quickly:

• A tablespoon of honey or jam
• One half-cup of regular fruit juice (do not drink diet or sugar free juice when you are trying to raise your blood sugar levels)
• Three glucose tablets
• 8 ounces of 1% milk or nonfat milk
• Raisins – 2 tablespoons
• Five to six pieces of hard candies, gumdrops, or jelly beans

Exercise

Exercise is a good way to lower your blood glucose levels, but you do not want those sugar levels to become too low. According to the Joslin Diabetes Center, when you exercise, you deplete your glycogen stores and sugar levels. To prevent this from happening, you will need to exercise less and at least two hours before you go to bed.

When you exercise, check your blood glucose levels before and after your workout. Intense workouts might lead to low blood sugar levels. To keep your blood sugar levels from dropping too low, you could

• Increase the number of carbohydrates you eat before you exercise
• Decrease the amount of insulin you take after exercise
• Double the size of your bedtime snack after you have exercised
• Do not drink alcohol before or after you exercise
• Refrain from using hot tubs, saunas, or steam rooms after you have exercised

To prevent low glucose levels, eat a snack immediately following your workout. Make sure the snack contains at least 15 grams of carbohydrates.

Be Prepared

Always keep food or snacks with you if you experience low blood sugar levels. Remember to check your blood sugar levels often. For more information about testing your blood sugar levels, click here.

Consult your doctor to receive more information pertaining to low blood sugar levels, and methods or medications that can help you get those levels under control.

Give yourself the best chance to live a healthy life.

 References

“Hypoglycemia (Low blood glucose).” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hypoglycemia-low-blood.html. Accessed on September 23, 2013.

“When Your Blood Glucose is Too High or Too Low.” National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/lowglucose.aspx. Accessed on September 8, 2013.

“Low Blood Sugar Basics.” Blood Sugar Basics. Retrieved from http://bloodsugarbasics.com/low-blood-sugar-basics. Accessed on September 23, 2013.

“Why is my Blood Glucose Sometimes Low After Physical Activity?” Joslin Diabetes Center. Retrieved from http://www.joslin.org/info/why_is_my_blood_glucose_sometimes_low_after_physical_activity.html. Accessed on September 8, 2013.

“Maintaining Blood Sugar: Foods to Quickly Lower Levels.” Fitday. Retrieved from http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/carbs/maintaining-blood-sugar-foods-to-quickly-lower-levels.html. Accessed on September 8, 2013.