How to Lower Your Blood Sugar Naturally

If you are suffering from Type 2 diabetes and would like to lower your blood sugar levels without taking too much medications, the following steps may be followed:-

(a) Exercise: For diabetic patients, regular exercise is a must. Exercise burns the excess fat and excess sugar from your system. It burns the sugar as energy and also helps to store it in the muscles in the form of glycogen. This glycogen is used during increased physical activity and stress.

Walking is a very good exercise. Twenty to thirty minutes brisk walk per day, for at least five days a week is necessary to lower your blood sugar levels. Doing regular household work or gardening is also beneficial.

(b) Diet: Diet plays a major role in controlling diabetes. The main thing is to control the intake of carbohydrates. The diet should contain foods which have a high fiber content. Fiber helps to reduce weight and cures constipation. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. Avoid bakery products and fast foods. The fat intake should be between 15 to 30 grams per day. Instead of two or three heavy meals, eat a number of small meal throughout the day. Try to eat at a fixed time.

(c) Green tea: Drinking green tea has a lot of benefits. It is full of antioxidants as well as it helps to reduce sugar.

(d) Decaffeinated coffee: There are some compounds present in decaffeinated coffee which help to control blood sugar. But don't add sugar to it.

(e) Avoid stress: An increase in stress levels leads to an excess secretion of stress hormones like adrenaline which increases blood sugar levels. You must try to avoid stress as much as possible. Try yoga or other relaxation techniques.

(f) Sleep well: A good sleep helps to reduce stress. It also helps to control your blood sugar levels. For example, if somebody suffers from 'sleep apnea' which is caused due to a lack in the supply of oxygen, it may lead to an increase in blood sugar levels.

Five Tips for Diabetes Exercise

Research has shown that the risk of getting Diabetes is 30% lower in people who walk at least three hours per week. If you are already suffering from Diabetes, regular exercise would reduce your need for external medication. Exercise also reduces the risk of heart attack.

The following are some tips that would help you to start your diabetes exercise program:

* People often exercise too much and get tired. This may lead them to stop the exercise program. So, it is advisable to start the walking/exercise program slowly and add a little more time each week.

* Try to do your main exercise/walking in the morning. This will help to energize your body for the rest of the day.

* Brisk walking is the best exercise. You should walk at least thirty minutes per day. Walking significantly reduces your blood pressure and blood sugar.

* Walking up and down a hill would help you to reduce your blood sugar levels. Hill walking is the best diabetes and cardiovascular exercise.

* Another important tip for diabetic exercise is to carry some light weight while you
are walking. It will also make your arms and back very strong.

Apart from exercise/walking, other activities like mowing your lawn, doing house work, dancing, swimming etc. are also helpful in controlling diabetes.

Before starting any exercise program, you should always consult your physician/ diabetes care team. They would evaluate your condition and prescribe the activity level appropriate for you and whether any precautions have to be taken.

What is Hyperglycemia?

Hyperglycemia is a condition where the amount of glucose present in the blood plasma
exceeds the normal level. Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar may be caused due to different factors such as diabetes, eating disorders or stress.

(a) Diabetes:

The major cause of hyperglycemia is the disease 'Diabetes Mellitus'. When one suffers
from chronic hyperglycemia for a long period of time and even in the fasting state,
it is due to diabetes. Diabetes is caused when the Pancreas fails to produce sufficient amounts of the hormone insulin.

(b) Eating disorders:

Acute hyperglycemia may be caused due to certain eating disorders. If a person consumes a large amount of food containing simple and complex carbohydrates, his/her blood sugar level may increase temporarily. There are certain medicines which may increase the risk of hyperglycemia. Examples are -- beta blockers, diuretics, corticosteroids, niacin etc.

(c) Infections and stress:

Hyperglycemia may also occur due to some infections or in times of stress. Patients suffering from stroke or myocardial infarction may develop hyperglycemia, which may not be caused due to diabetes. During periods of stress certain hormones are released which increase the blood glucose levels.

The various symptoms of hyperglycemia are given below:

* Frequent hunger and thirst.
* Excessive urination.
* Fatigue.
* Weight loss.
* Dry/itchy skin.
* Male impotence.
* Slow healing of wounds.

The main treatment of acute hyperglycemia is the administration of insulin, under medical supervision.