Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is a condition characterized by an abnormally low level of blood sugar (glucose) in the blood.

Many people with diabetes have hypoglycemia. However, there are rare cases where people who are not diabetic have hypoglycemia. For those people, the condition may be caused by:

- Certain Medications

- Alcohol

- Certain types of Cancer

- Other Critical Illnesses that Result in Excess Insulin Production

Insulin is the hormone secreted by your pancreas that regulates your blood sugar level. Signs & symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

- Confusion

- Abnormal Behavior

- Visual Disturbances

- Seizures (uncommon)

- Loss of Consciousness (uncommon)

The signs & symptoms listed below can related to hypoglycemia but may not be as well:

- Heart Palpitations

- Tremor

- Anxiety

- Sweating

- Hunger

Having your blood sugar level measured is the only sure-fire way to know if hypoglycemia is the cause of the symptoms listed above.

The main cause of hypoglycemia is an over production of insulin within the body. Some foods that a person consumes contain sugar molecules called glucose, which is the primary source of energy for the body. After a person eats, the glucose is absorbed directly into your bloodstream, but it cannot enter the cells without insulin, which is a hormone secreted by your pancreas.

The pancreas is located behind the stomach. When blood glucose levels rise, the pancreas releases insulin, which unlocks the cells so that glucose can enter. It also reduces glucose production by your liver. This results in a reduced amount of glucose in the bloodstream and prevents it from reaching dangerously high levels. The secretion of insulin decreases as the blood sugar level returns to normal.

Sometimes, the pancreas can produce and release too much insulin into the blood. This is a condition known as hyperinsulinemia, which is not a disease but more of a symptom of an underlying health problem. When too much insulin is released by the pancreas, even more glucose enters the cells, and the liver cannot release glucose into the bloodstream. This is how low blood sugar develops.

Aside from regulating the blood sugar level directly, insulin also influences your blood sugar indirectly because it affects the liver, which also plays a key role in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. The liver accepts extra sugar and stores it in the form of glycogen after a person eats. As insulin levels drop between meals, glycogen is broken down by the liver (glycogenolysis). The liver then releases glucose into your bloodstream, which maintains a normal blood sugar level.

Insulin isn’t the only factor that plays a role in the process by which your body attempts to regulate blood sugar levels. These levels can also become too low if your body’s gluconeogenesis is disrupted. Gluconeogenesis is the body’s natural ability to to manufacture glucose.

Foe people who do not have diabetes, possible causes of hypoglycemia include:

- Certain Medications (Here’s another reason to avoid prescription med’s folks)

- Alcohol

- Long-Term Starvation

- Excessive Production of Insulin

- Endocrine Deficiencies

- Non-Beta-Cell Tumors

Most cases of hypoglycemia occur in a fasting state but sometimes, it can occur after meals as a result of the body producing more insulin than is needed. This type of hypoglycemia is known as reactive or postprandial hypoglycemia.

To accurately diagnose hypoglycemia, a professional health care practitioner may perform a glucose tolerance test (GTT). But even with this test, the results can be within normal limits and a person can still have symptoms of hypoglycemia.

To better diagnose the condition, try following a healthy regimen outlined below and see if your symptoms improve.

First off, pay attention to the way you feel. If symptoms start surfacing, you can treat a sudden (acute) episode of hypoglycemia by consuming some form of sugar to restore your blood sugar back to normal range.

Drink fruit juice, a non-diet soda or eat a piece of high-sugar candy immediately. Also make your friends and family aware of the situation so they will know what steps to take in the event of a reaction. Tell them to call 911 immediately if you become sleepy or unconscious.

Do not drink any alcoholic beverages. Your diet should consist of high-fiber, starchy foods. Eat smaller meals more frequently and begin and maintain a regular exercise program.

Some natural supplements that a person with hypoglycemia may find to be beneficial are:

Chromium Picolinate (300-600 mcg daily) – Vital for glucose metabolism.

Brewer’s Yeast (take as directed on label) – Aids in stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Garlic (take as directed on label) – Relieves low blood sugar when an attack occurs.

Glutathione (take as directed on label) – Aids in breaking down glucose into energy.

Pancreatin (take as directed on label) – Important for proper protein digestion.

Zinc (50 mg daily) – Necessary for proper release of insulin.

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (3,000-8,000 mg daily in divided doses) – For adrenal insufficiency, which is common in people with hypoglycemia.

Quercetin (take as directed on label) – Aids in stopping allergic reactions.

Vitamin B Complex (50 – 100 mg of each B vitamin daily & up) – Aids in carbohydrate & protein metabolism. Helps the body tolerate foods the produce low blood sugar reactions.

Dandelion Root – Supports the liver and pancreas.

Licorice – Aids the body in responding well to stress. Don’t use for more than seven days and avoid if you have high blood pressure.

Bilberry and Wild Yam – Aids in controlling insulin levels.

Published by Henry Sapiecha 11th March 2010