How to lower your blood sugar

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Elevated blood sugar levels can indicate a lot of things. It can increase both after a hearty dinner or a delicious cake, and due to a disease - diabetes mellitus. How to determine that the sugar level is not normal, the danger of this condition and how to lower blood sugar without taking medication - we will tell you about everything in this article.

Blood sugar - what is it?

Blood sugar or glycemia is the concentration of the monosaccharide glucose in the blood plasma. Glucose is an organic compound that is the source of energy in our body.

Food, as it enters the body, is crushed and "disassembled" into components. Carbohydrates are polysaccharide molecules. They are “disassembled” into monosaccharides, one of which is glucose.

In the intestine, glucose is absorbed into the blood, where the formed elements circulate - platelets, erythrocytes and molecules - insulin. It is he who binds sugars, and carries them with the blood flow "for energy processing."

Normally, glucose enters the liver and muscles, where it is converted into energy molecules, which will then supply the entire body. But with excess nutrition or some diseases, the amount of glucose entering the body becomes more than needed. And then failures can occur:

1. Sugar will be deposited and stored, turning into fat, as a result obesity develops;
2. Insulin may not be able to cope with the increased amount of glucose and will not be able to bind it - blood sugar will rise. Development of diabetes mellitus is possible;
3. Sugar will circulate in the blood and be deposited in other organs, for example, in the vessels of the kidneys, eyes or heart. All this causes serious illness.

Normal sugar values

The level of glycemia is an indicator of metabolic processes in the body and must be kept within strict limits. The normal fasting blood glucose level is 3, 4 - 5, 5 mmol / L. Any deviations of this indicator up or down when measured on an empty stomach are pathological.

According to the national clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus, two forms of hyperglycemic state are distinguished: prediabetes and diabetes.

Prediabetes is a condition in the body when the risk of developing diabetes is highest. Some unstable changes in organs and the metabolic system may already begin.

The main criteria for prediabetes are:

• violation of fasting glycemia. Concentration of glucose in the range of 5, 6-6, 9 mmol / l;
• impaired glucose tolerance. Higher values of sugars, reaching 7, 8-11, 0 mmol / l, when the test is carried out 2 hours after the glucose tolerance test.

The diagnosis of diabetes can be made with the following plasma parameters:

1. Additive glycemia. An increase in indicators above 11, 1 mmol / l when measured on an empty stomach, the addition of the classic symptoms of diabetes (frequent urination, severe thirst, fatigue).
2. Detection of hyperglycemia with two tests. The readings can be in the range of 5, 6-6, 9 mmol / l.
3. Hyperglycemic state with values above 11, 1 mmol / l 2 hours after glucose tolerance test or when measured on an empty stomach.

Remembering the exact numbers can be difficult. But you need to create a landmark:

1. With a random measurement of sugar, its level of 5.5 mmol / l and below is the norm.
2. At a level from 6 to 10 mmol / l - a reason to consult a doctor.
3. Indicators close to 14 or 15 mmol / l can be called critical. They require urgent medical attention and treatment.

Why glucose levels may rise

Blood sugar levels can rise after a meal, especially after sugary and starchy foods. But this is not entirely correct opinion. Yes, the glucose level rises slightly. But in a healthy person with a properly functioning metabolism, insulin immediately starts working, and within two hours all indicators return to normal.

With various pathologies, this does not happen, and then borderline or high rates can be observed.

The body is a very complex system in which many things are interconnected. And the malfunction of some of its elements can lead to the state in question. Diseases of the digestive system and liver affect blood sugar levels. With a sharp release of adrenaline into the bloodstream by the adrenal glands during stress, an increase in the concentration of monosaccharides occurs.

What other reasons may underlie the increased concentration of glucose in the blood plasma:

• diabetes mellitus is one of the main causes. In this case, the process of binding glucose and insulin is disrupted due to its insufficient production. With insufficient or improper control of sugar levels, hyperglycemic conditions are observed;
• strong alcoholic drinks contain a large amount of carbohydrates, which, of course, affects the subsequent stages of their processing;
• pathology of the endocrine system - the thyroid gland. The hormones produced by the gland incorrectly redistribute carbohydrates - they almost all go into the reserve;
• long-term stressful situations - the so-called chronic stress;
• genetic diseases - Cushing's syndrome, gigantism;
• taking oral contraceptives;
• gestational diabetes mellitus that develops during pregnancy.

What is the danger of high sugar

On the one hand, sugar is extremely important for our body. It makes up most of our energy reserves. On the other hand, with constant hyperglycemia, the risk of developing serious diseases and their complications increases significantly.

Glucose in high concentrations, which is not removed from the bloodstream, undergoes glycation - this is a kind of inflammatory process. At the same time, it binds to blood proteins, organ cells and disrupts their work. Of course, the higher the concentration of sugars, the stronger this process goes. The end products resulting from such reactions are toxic.

Toxic glucose metabolites interfere with the formation of normal protein in cells. As a result, the structure of the vascular walls is disturbed, atherosclerotic plaques appear, and the elasticity of the skin decreases. What does all this lead to in the end?

The resulting atherosclerotic plaques interfere with adequate blood supply:

• brain - stroke or encephalopathy may develop;
• limbs - a common complication of diabetes mellitus - diabetic foot. The sensitivity of the tissues decreases, ulcers, gangrene may develop, amputation will be required;
• heart - persistent arterial hypertension develops rapidly, which is difficult to stop. The threat of myocardial infarction increases;
• kidneys - first, there is frequent and profuse urination. In advanced cases, renal failure may develop;
• eye - diabetic blindness can be corrected surgically;
• other organs - with diabetes, the likelihood of developing impotence in men and the inability to bear a child in women increases sharply.

With such dire consequences, everyone should know how to lower blood sugar if necessary.

The clinical picture of hyperglycemia

The degree of manifestation of symptoms in hyperglycemia will depend on how much the sugar limit is exceeded. However, even with borderline states, a person is able to determine that something is wrong.

The most typical and frequent clinical manifestations of an increase in sugar:

• Intense thirst - polydipsia. It is characteristic both in the daytime and at night, and in the second case it can increase.
• Very frequent urination, in large portions. May not be related to fluid intake. It manifests itself more strongly at night.
• Severe itching of the skin and mucous membranes (genitals, eyes). It can reach such strength that a person combes himself to sores.
• Decrease in the regenerative abilities of the body - healing of wounds, cuts occurs very slowly and badly. Complications in the form of infection can join.
• Indomitable hunger is polyphagia. A person feels a constant feeling of hunger, tries to get enough of frequent snacks. As a result, weight gain.
• A sharp increase or, conversely, loss of body weight. May not be food related.
• Due to a lack of energy, chronic fatigue, fatigue, and inability to concentrate develop.
• Instability of the mental sphere. Irritability develops, outbursts of anger appear.

With a higher sugar level, complications can arise:

• odor of acetone from the mouth due to acidosis;
• atherosclerosis due to increased cholesterol;
• decreased visual acuity;
• increased susceptibility to infectious diseases;
• impotence;
• indigestion;
• diabetic coma.

You can independently determine your sugar level using a glucometer with a set of special test strips. In a medical institution, blood is taken from a vein for analysis for sugar levels.

The main symptoms of critical blood sugar

So, the general symptoms of hyperglycemia are simple enough to understand. But some of them may appear immediately, as soon as the sugar level rises, and some will show themselves only after a few months, or even years. In addition, their activity will directly depend on the degree of increase in glucose concentration.

In order not to miss the moment when you need to provide urgent help to a person with a glycemic crisis, remember the main clinical signs that each patient will have:

1. Intense thirst.
2. Increased appetite.
3. Nausea, vomiting, constipation.
4. Severe itching of the body and mucous membranes.
5. Dry mouth.
6. "Sand" in the eyes, decreased visual acuity.
7. Pollakiuria - increased urination at night.
8. Bleeding wounds, even small ones, and slow healing.
9. Absent-mindedness.
10. Loss, fear.
11. Weight gain.
12. Disorders of sexual function.
13. Irritability.

Such symptoms, which began suddenly, should be regarded as a life-threatening condition. The patient himself and the people around him must urgently begin to take action.

If this happens to a person with diabetes, it is likely that they will have an insulin preparation. He himself will be able to use it or explain to others what to do. After that, it is still worth calling the ambulance team. If this is a newly diagnosed case, you need to urgently call doctors..

With frequent hyperglycemic attacks, you should consult a specialist to adjust the therapeutic dose. Constantly knocking down high sugar on your own is dangerous, since the opposite condition can develop - hypoglycemia.

Methods for non-drug glycemic lowering

It is impossible to reduce high glycemic figures at home without the use of drugs. Only calling an ambulance will help. An endocrinologist can write a prescription for drugs that lower blood sugar, after studying all the tests and the state of the body. To maintain glycemia within acceptable limits and correct minor deviations, the following can help:

1. Reducing the amount of food or skipping one of the meals.
2. Regular use of the proper amount of drinking water.
3. Unsweetened cinnamon drinks.
4. Active physical exercise.

The main helper of a person with high glycemia is a strict diet. It differs in that each meal must be balanced. The carbohydrates that will enter the body should be counted. It is almost completely required to exclude sweet and starchy foods - these products lead to a sharp jump in glycemic indicators. The following food groups are encouraged to help remove sugar:

1. Basic diet. Vegetables, cereals (excluding rice), legumes.
2. Sour fruits and berries such as plums, gooseberries.
3. Low fat meat and fish dishes. Mainly steamed, stewed, boiled.
4. Greens and vegetables slow down the absorption of glucose. Green foods are the best friends in the fight against high sugar levels.
5. Fractionality of food intake. You should eat 5-6 times a day in small portions.

Cinnamon

The fact that cinnamon in its effect is practically analogous to medicines may be liked by many lovers of aromatic spices. It has a sugar-stabilizing effect, that is, it can normalize its level. And also tones up the body, returns vital energy. But that's not all.

Here are the main properties of cinnamon:

• acts directly on sugars, reducing them;
• stimulates the pancreas;
• increases metabolism;
• restores protein metabolism;
• activates gastrointestinal motility;
• improves the functioning of the body's immune systems.

But even with such a large number of positive effects, undesirable actions of this product are also observed. Some conditions and diseases that are contraindications to the use of cinnamon are highlighted. Namely:

• hypertonic disease;
• allergic reactions;
• lactation period.

It is necessary to take the seasoning on an empty stomach in the morning. Acceptance of both ground cinnamon and pods is allowed. This "medicine" should be taken with plenty of water. It is allowed to consume no more than 4 grams of cinnamon daily. It is better not to do this in the evening, otherwise the possibility of developing insomnia increases.

Bay leaf

Bay leaves, which housewives are accustomed to using as a fragrant spice for various dishes, is also an excellent helper in the fight against glycemia. It helps to stabilize the work of the pancreas, which produces insulin. There is some compensation for its lack in the bloodstream.

To combat diabetes, you should take a decoction of bay leaf:

• Pour 8-12 sheets of lavrushka with half a liter of boiling water in a thermos. Let it brew for 5-6 hours, then drink half a glass half an hour before a meal.
• 8-12 bay leaves pour 1, 5 cups of boiling water. Let it brew for a day, strain through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Take 2 weeks ¼ glass half an hour before meals.

One of the properties of bay leaves is the ability to thicken natural body fluids. Based on this, such decoctions have a number of contraindications. This remedy should not be taken:

• during pregnancy and lactation;
• with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, for example, with a tendency to constipation;
• with diseases of the kidneys and bladder;
• with pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
• with individual intolerance, allergies.

Table and apple cider vinegar

9% table vinegar and apple cider vinegar are high in trace minerals that can help the body maintain normal sugar levels and strengthen tissues and bones. Apple cider vinegar is rich in calcium, phosphorus, sulfur, vitamin B. It removes excess waste products from the body, stabilizes carbohydrate metabolism.

Some of the beneficial effects of vinegar:

• reduces appetite;
• interrupts the desire to eat sweet foods;
• stimulates the production of gastric juice - stabilizes acidity.

You can buy apple cider vinegar or make your own at home using a folk recipe.

1. Select ripe apples, wash, cut into small cubes, put in an enamel pan.
2. Fill the fruits with sugar at the rate of 50 g of sugar per 1 kg of apples.
3. Pour hot water 3 fingers above the level of the mixture, close the pan and remove to a warm place (on the battery). Stir 1-2 times a day.
4. After 14 days, strain the mixture through cheesecloth or fine sieve. Drain everything into glass jars, leaving 5-7 cm on top (the composition will ferment).
5. After 2 weeks, the apple bite is ready. The liquid can be bottled for storage.

Vinegar should not be taken in pure form (especially purchased). It is best used as a salad dressing, marinade for meat and fish products. Homemade vinegar can be diluted with water (2 tablespoons per glass of water) and taken one hour before bedtime. Such treatment is contraindicated in gastrointestinal ulcers.

Egg and Lemon Mix

The egg is a high-protein food that easily saturates the body and satisfies the feeling of hunger. Citrus fruits contain many organic acids. It is these substances that are able to reduce the amount of sugar in the blood plasma.

So, mixing an egg and lemon can be another easy way to control your blood glucose levels.

To prepare the egg-lemon mixture, prepare one large chicken egg or 4-5 small quail eggs and one lemon. Beat the egg with a whisk until foamy, squeeze 50 ml of juice from the lemon and mix. The resulting mass should be taken once a day, half an hour before meals.

There is a certain scheme for using an egg-lemon mixture to achieve the best result. Take three days before meals in the morning, three days - a break. This 3: 3 cycle repeats for a month. To achieve the best result, the course should be carried out 5 times a year.

Broth of oats

Oats are a real gift not only for people with metabolic diseases, but also for everyone who is healthy. It contains insulin, which is able to inactivate some of the glucose even in the intestinal lumen, before it enters the bloodstream. This has an extremely beneficial effect on the course of diabetes mellitus.

Among other things, oats have antioxidant and antitoxic effects, which are the best way to protect the body from pathogenic effects.

You can take oats as porridge, broth or raw (sprouted cereals):

1. Oatmeal or vegetable milk. For its preparation, a glass of oats is poured with a liter of boiling water in a thermos and left to infuse overnight. In the morning, you can take a decoction. They consume it for a month 3 times a day before meals. After that, you can do this only in the morning, but more frequent use is not prohibited.
2. Oatmeal is a complete, healthy breakfast. It gives strength and helps the body to normalize sugar levels. Of course, sugar, jam, jams and other sweet additives cannot be added to porridge. With compensated diabetes mellitus, you can cook porridge in milk. But it is still better if the basis is water. To make it tastier, you can add sour fruits or berries - raspberries, currants, plums.
3. Sprouted cereals should be eaten on an empty stomach, in the morning, every day.

Exercise to Help Fight High Sugars

The most gentle and beneficial option for lowering plasma glucose levels is physical activity. This not only normalizes carbohydrate metabolism, sending excess sugars for energy production, but also strengthens the body and improves mood. Physical activity is a fairly quick way to lower blood glucose levels.

To achieve a positive effect, it will be enough to devote to exercises for 30-40 minutes daily. All exercises should be performed at an average pace or selected comfortable for yourself. If you feel excessive fatigue or dizziness, you should pause the exercise.

The optimal set of exercises:

• turning the head to the sides and rotating in a circle;
• circular movements of the hands forward and backward;
• body tilts back and forth, left and right;
• rise on toes;
• squats with arms extended forward;
• sitting on a chair, leaning on the back of the chair, lifting straight legs parallel to the floor, in turn;
• sitting on a chair, lifting the legs from the ground, stretching the arms in front of you;
• sitting on a chair bringing the knees to the chest, in turn;
• leaning on the back of a chair, raise your knee, then swing your leg back;

Such a simple set of exercises normalizes metabolism and compensates for the violation of carbohydrate metabolism, that is, it helps to get rid of "excess" sugar.

What happens to the body when sugar is abandoned

Sugar has a wonderful effect on our body. It affects almost all metabolic processes. Therefore, if you cut sugar, there will be interesting changes.

Two days later:

1. The work of the digestive tract will improve, the stool will normalize. Bloating, diarrhea, or constipation will disappear.
2. Mood will be balanced, anxiety and irritability will go away. Even dealing with everyday stress will suddenly become much easier.
3. Kids who are accustomed to sweets, two days after refusal, begin to easily settle for healthy fruits, vegetables and cereals. Only two days can separate a child from proper nutrition.

After a week:

1. The skin color will change, a healthy glow will appear, rashes and acne will disappear. The natural elasticity of the skin will also begin to recover.
2. Energy will appear, fatigue and drowsiness will go away. The body will begin to build its "regime" of the day, not getting confused in the chaotic additions of sugar from the outside.
3. The process of falling asleep and sleep itself is normalized. The production of cortisol will again begin to be controlled by the body. Good dreams will appear.

After 10 days:

1. The blood will be cleared of excess cholesterol. Vessels and tissues will begin to recover.
2. The excess weight that appeared due to the sweet will begin to go away.

After a month of abstaining from sugar consumption, this difficult process at first will become your habit for a long time. And you will get nice bonuses:

1. The skin will become young and beautiful again.
2. The weight will be adjusted up to 10 kg.
3. Brain cells will begin to be active. It will become easier to think and concentrate.

List of approved foods for diabetes mellitus and foods not recommended for use

It can be difficult for people with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus to immediately get used to a new diet. It is all the more difficult to remember which foods are useful and which can be harmful. To do this, you can print a table that will always come to the rescue.

Unlimited products	Restricted Foods	Prohibited foods
Cucumbers, tomatoes	Low-fat fermented milk products	Sugar, honey, jam, jams, sweet drinks
Any varieties of cabbage	Lean meat, poultry (no skin)	Sweets, chocolate, ice cream
Zucchini, eggplant	A fish	Sweet pastries, cakes, cookies
Pepper	Low fat cheese	Butter, lard
Any varieties of greens, lettuce	Low fat sour cream and curd	Mayonnaise, fat sour cream, cream
Onion garlic	Cereals	High fat dairy products
Carrot	Pasta, bread	High fat cheeses
Radish, radish, turnip	Potatoes, corn, legumes	Fatty meat, sausage, sausages
Mushrooms	Sweet fruit	Pates, canned food in oil
Pears, apples (not too sweet)	Vegetable oil	Nuts, seeds
Grapefruit, orange, kiwi		Alcohol
Peaches, plums
Blueberries, strawberries
Tea, coffee without sugar, mineral water

Blood sugar rate by age

The quantitative values of sugars for our body change slightly over time. For each age period, its own indicators are relevant. It is worth knowing them to make the self-diagnosis more truthful.

Age	Glucose level, mmol / l
2 days - 4, 3 weeks	2, 8 – 4, 4
4, 3 weeks - 14 years	3, 3 – 5, 6
14 - 60 years old	4, 1 – 5, 9
60 - 90 years old	4, 6 – 6, 4
90 and more years	4, 2 – 6, 7

Controlling glucose in the body can improve a person's life, and in some situations, save it. The most important thing is not to try to heal yourself on your own. It is best to entrust such a complex matter to a professional. And after the selection of therapy, always know how to reduce blood sugar if necessary.