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Hypoglycemia basically means low-blood sugar. When your body does not get the fuel it needs, it quits running. We need naturally occurring sugar glucose, everyday. But, we need it to slowly break down sugar so it doesn't overload our systems too quickly. As someone who deals with Hypoglycemia on a daily basis, I know it affects how you think and function. I also know when I am loosing control, I need to slow down and eat right.
Hypoglycemia affects approximately one-third of the country and it's effects can be mild to severe. It can affect mood, energy and your health. With Hypoglycemia, when your blood sugar is low, you in essence crash; your energy level dips and you become irritable and fatigued. When you feel this way, it is easy to become anxious and stressed. In fact, anxiety is sometimes a direct result from low-blood sugar. It makes sense in that when you are not eating the right kinds of food, your body will, well rebel. It sends messages to your brain that say, "I need fuel." Just like a car needs fuel to keep running, so do humans and people who have low-blood sugar need it even more and often. Have you ever felt this way?
It is 3:00 in the afternoon and you are cross, lethargic and down-right tired. You clamor for something to eat, anything that is quick and easy to fix. So, of course you grab a candy bar or a bowl of chocolate ice cream. After a few minutes, your mood lifts, your energy increases and boom, you feel great! You go through work or whatever with the speed and energy of a two-year old. Then, it hits and it always does. About an hour later, you collapse at your desk or your couch if you are at home and are literally exhausted! With low-blood sugar, it is a roller-coaster ride everyday.
Nevertheless, there are ways you can control your Hypoglycemia.
1. Make sure you eat something every two hours, whether it be an apple or crackers. If you do that, your blood sugar will normally stay stabilized.
2. Exercise at least fifteen minutes everyday. Even if is a short walk. Exercise will not only help your overall strength and energy, it can aide in lifting your mood.
3. Try and cut down on sugar. I know it sounds ironic, but cutting down on the simple sugars, such as white sugar, corn syrup and fructose, will help immensely in your fight to control Hypoglycemia.
4. Take your Vitamins. Vitamins are most important, Especially The B vitamins. Research has shown that when you take 50-100 mg of Vitamin B complex (B1,B2,B3,B5,B6 and B12 and PABA) it can significantly reduce your cravings for sugar and give you much needed energy. It can also regulate the metabolic processes which convert carbohydrates to sugar in your body.
Last but not least, reduce your stress level! Stress plays such a key role in our health. Stress breaks down our immune system and creates unwanted problems. It is essential we learn to control it.
If we learn to manage and control Hypoglycemia, we can live healthier, better, not too mention happier lives as well.
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