How to Reduce Blood Sugar Level
Background
Increased blood sugar level in the body is caused by incorrect use of insulin or insufficient insulin production in the body. High blood sugar levels cause many health conditions, and most notably, it can lead to diabetes, especially to people with a family history of the condition. Such people should reduce blood sugar level and always monitor their sugar levels to avoid running too low or too high.
However, even those without the disease should always ensure their levels are kept within the recommended limits. Adhering to some adjustments to your lifestyle and diet greatly helps maintain normal blood sugar and, thereby, possibly helping you evade future risks that might develop.
How to Reduce Blood Sugar Level
High blood sugars give rise to numerous health problems. There are several ways you can reduce blood sugar levels, in the body, to reduce the risks of developing complications. Herein are a few of them to help you curb the problem.
Monitor blood sugars closely
There are normally no notable high blood sugar levels in the body until they exceed 200 mg/dL. Close monitoring of blood sugars ensures the levels don’t get high that much. The home glucose monitor is the ideal device in the market to check your blood sugar levels. Your doctor will recommend to you the frequency you should check sugar levels during the day.
Reduce the consumption of carbohydrates
Research shows that diets low in proteins and carbohydrates reduces blood sugar levels in the body. Carbohydrates in the body are broken down into sugars that are later used as energy. They are essential elements in our diet, but excessive consumption might spike their levels high.
Intake of the right carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are of two kinds, the simple, and complex carbohydrates. They all affect blood sugars differently. Simple carbohydrates are contained in foods such as pasta, bread, and candy. They are broken down into sugars quickly and thereby spiking the level of sugars in the body rapidly.
Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, comprise three or more sugars. The chemical makeup of complex carbohydrates makes the body take longer to break them into sugars. Thus, there is no rapid rise in blood sugars after taking them. Example of foods rich in complex carbohydrates includes sweet potatoes and whole grain oats.
Consider low glycemic index foods
Various foods are ranked by the extent they can trigger a rise in blood sugars by the Glycemic Index (GI) measure. Now, low glycemic index foods reduce the rapid increase of blood sugar levels in the body. Such foods have a score index of below 55 when measured on the glycemic index. Examples of these foods include legumes, sweet potatoes, non-starchy vegetables, low-fat milk, meat, leafy greens, and fish.
Other ways of reducing blood sugar levels:
- Increase the intake of dietary fiber
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
Foods that lower blood sugar
Consuming a healthy diet is a major way of controlling blood sugar. Research recommends foods that are absorbed slowly in the body as they don’t spike blood sugar levels rapidly. Below are a couple of foods that will help in maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
Whole wheat
An example of whole wheat rich foods is the bread we eat. These foods are high in carbohydrates, and they normally raise blood sugars rapidly. Therefore, they are among the foods that need to be avoided most. However, other kinds of bread, such as the pumpernickel bread measure low on the GI scale, since their ingredients undergo minimal processing procedures. The fibrous shells of cereals and grains are removed during processing, thereby slowing their digestion and stabilizing the level of blood sugar in the body.
Fruits
Most fruits measure below 55 on the GI scale except melons and pineapples. Fruits contain lots of fiber and water to balance fructose, the naturally occurring sugar in fruits. But then, the GI score for fruits increases when fruits ripen.
Fruit juices also measure high on the GI scale since the juicing process removes the fruit’s fibrous seeds and skin.
Some of the fruits that lower blood sugar include:
- Lemons and limes
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Kiwis
- Blackberries
Sweet potatoes and yams
These foods measure low on the GI scale, unlike the regular potatoes. The skin of sweet potatoes is enriched with fiber. Consumption of sweet potatoes and yams may lower some users of some conditions like diabetes. Even though there is yet no conclusive evidence that these foods can help in stabilizing blood sugar levels in the body, they undoubtedly offer healthful nutrients that measure low on the GI scale.
Other foods that lower blood sugar levels include:
- Oatmeal and bran
- Legumes
- Most nuts
Home remedies to reduce blood sugar levels
Home remedies will help you reduce and prevent you from risks associated with high blood sugar levels in the body. Below are three home remedies to try out.
Mango leaves
These leaves are undoubtedly among the best home remedies to help curb increased blood sugar levels. The tannins in these leaves, called anthocyanidins, help maintain low blood sugar and regulate insulin production well balanced in the body.
Blueberries
Blueberries are tasty fruits that serve as natural home remedies to help you maintain low blood sugars. Studies show that the consumption of blueberries enhances improved insulin sensitivity and lowers blood sugar levels.
Cinnamon
Usage of cinnamon is among the well-established remedies to lower blood sugar levels and prevent hyperglycemic responses. It has essential nutrients that measure low in the GI scale and thereby qualifies as a home remedy to try out.Other home remedies to try out include:
- Bitter gourd
- Aloe Vera
Lowering blood sugar levels quickly in an emergency
Different methods are in place to help people with high blood levels lower them quickly. These methods include:
- Administer insulin
- Exercise regularly
- Eating snacks rich in proteins
- Drinking a lot of water
Foods that lower blood sugar levels quickly
People suffering from increased sugar levels in the body should simply focus on eating foods that don’t support the rapid increase in blood sugars. Below is a list of important foods you need to include in your diet:
- Magnesium-rich leafy greens: These are foods like spinach, turnip greens, dandelion greens, romaine, and kales, among others.
- Seeds like flax, pumpkin, sesame seeds, chia, sunflower, and hemp.
- The Cacao bean
- Almonds nuts
Alongside the list, several other foods should be avoided to curb this problem. They include:
- Baked foods such as bread
- Pasta and rice
- Corn and regular potatoes
- Sweetened beverages
The Sugar Balance Herbal Supplement
The supplement contains 11 natural herbal ingredients combined with other ingredients to work together for the stabilization of blood sugar levels in the body. Sugar balance herbal supplement is also ideal for enhancing improved liver functionality.
The dosage of the supplement is one tablet three times a day alongside meals. It’s also recommended to drink plenty of water when taking this supplement.
What you should do when your blood sugar level is high
High blood sugar has turned out to be a common condition all over the world. People should remain aware of it and possible ways to lower it at large. Below is a guide on what to follow if you’re a victim of high sugar levels in the blood.
- Carry out regular tests before and after eating.
- Watch your patterns
- Make changes on your dietary schedule and routine exercises
Overall, get the right procedure from your doctor how you should handle the problem to turn into normal levels.
Conclusion
Regular exercise, proper diet, and good night sleep are all the major blood sugar control measures to appear on top of your list. All these should be made as a habit; hey will help curb the problem in the shortest time and keep the levels always balanced. Remember to consult a dietitian before you make changes to your dietary schedule and monitor all symptoms that might require early checkups and medical attention.