HEALTH AND UNREGULATED BLOOD SUGAR
All too often, when we think of UNREGULATED BLOOD SUGAR, we get an image in our head of the obese individual who is loosing a foot of leg thanks to diabetic ulcers. Actually, there is more to it than that — much more. In fact, if you want to get healthy and stay that way, you had better understand this topic (blood sugar) inside and out, as I believe it is the number one health-related issue facing Americans today.
Our country’s health is in the dump, and we can place a large segment of the blame smack dab in the middle of our collective inability to control our blood sugar (HERE). Although you may not have heard, this is because virtually every disease and health problem you can name is being tied back to Uncontrolled Blood Sugar in the peer-reviewed scientific research.
In fact, just this morning I saw yet another study tying ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE to INSULIN RESISTANCE (FYI: I have actually seen Alzheimer’s referred to as “Type III Diabetes”). The first thing that I want to do is to discuss the difference between blood sugar that is “controlled’ (regulated) and uncontrolled (unregulated). Trust me; you need to grasp this point if you want any chance at being healthy your entire life.
Here in America, we have told people that they are not diabetic until they have a Fasting Blood Glucose level of 126. Just be aware that there are all sorts of experts in the field (including Endocrinologists) who believe that this number is not only too high, but way too high. In other words, there are many experts who feel that Fasting Blood Sugar readings over 100 should actually be considered as diabetes (optimal Fasting Blood Sugar would be in the 80-90 range) (HERE).
This is probably why nearly half of all those who are diagnosed with Type II Diabetes, already have visible signs of Neuropathy (HERE) by the time that diagnosis becomes official and they cross that magical 125 marker. Just understand this; if you are regularly eating the wrong kinds of foods, you may think that you are getting away with it because you have not yet hit 126. You’re not.
Although most of the medical community seems to be ignoring this information, there are a host of health problems and outright ‘diseases’ that are being tied back to Unregulated Blood Sugar. Although I will not even try to create a comprehensive list here, I would like to give you just a few that I think you should know about. I would hope that your doctor has been informing you of this information as well.
- CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY DEGENERATIVE DISEASES: Here is a category that covers almost everything. All of the health problems listed in this link are heavily related to Uncontrolled Blood Sugar. The truth is, it is highly unlikely that you have any real idea what INFLAMMATION is (clue; it is not swelling). Curious? Just click on the link.
- PCOS: Although virtually all Endocrine (hormonal) problems are heavily related to Blood Sugar Dysregulation issues, this one takes the cake. POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME is the #1 female problem facing American women today. What causes it? Again, click on the link.
- OBESITY: Just a couple of weeks ago, we witnessed a huge battle within the medical community over whether or not OBESITY should be considered to be a “disease“. I don’t really care what you call it, 70% of Americans are overweight or obese (actually almost 80% if you count those who are SKINNY FAT). The root cause of most obesity is simply Uncontrolled Blood Sugar.
- FIBROMYALGIA: What is FIBROMYALGIA? I promise you that it is not what your doctor has told you it is.
- DEPRESSION: DEPRESSION, along with ADD / ADHD, AUTISM , and a whole array of other mental health issues have been tied to problems with one’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
- MANY OTHERS: ALLERGIES, many cases of HIGH CHOLESTEROL, degenerative discs or joint disease, etc, etc, etc. Hopefully you are starting to see that controlling your blood sugar is foundational to a healthy lifestyle. Make sure to come back tomorrow for a really cool testimonial on this subject —- complete with pictures
HOW TO WORK TOWARDS PROPER BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION (EVEN IF YOUR DOCTOR DOES NOT SEEM TOO WORRIED)
- EAT BREAKFAST: Mind you; the breakfast you eat cannot be the usual American breakfast fare —- waffles, pancakes, French Toast, OJ (the SUBSTITUTION of choice for many hardcore SUGAR ADDICTS), fried potatoes / hash browns, syrup, toast, sweet rolls or other pastries, donuts, etc, etc, etc. Plain and simple, eat a LOW CARB protein-based breakfast. Or if you are really into seeing some rapid change, you might even want to try carrying degrees of FASTING.
- AVOID FOODS THAT RAPIDLY RAISE (SPIKE) YOUR BLOOD SUGAR: This is a no-brainer. You should already be realizing that if you really want to control your blood sugar, you are going to have to avoid certain foods. of course, you will have to give up soda (yes, even the DIET SODA spikes insulin levels), as well as the obvious factors such as JUNK FOOD, chips, etc. However, there are many other foods that shoot your blood sugar through the roof without you being aware of the fact. White Potatoes are one. Grains are another. Still another is certain kinds of fruit. Dr. Atkins did not have everything correct back when he wrote his groundbreaking book in the early 1970’s. But when compared to most of his peers (HERE), he now looks like a genius.
- GO GLUTEN FREE: Frankly, it’s just a small leap from Low Carb to GLUTEN FREE / PALEO. However, make sure you go about it the right way. In other words, you cannot truly go Gluten Free unless you have a grasp of what GLUTEN CROSS-REACTORS are.
- WHEN YOU EAT CARBOHYDRATES, EAT THEM WITH PROTEIN: This is simple. If you are going to eat a banana (a true “Glucose Bomb”), make sure you eat it with a handful of almonds. The protein works to blunt the blood sugar ‘spike’.
- EAT SEVERAL SMALL MEALS A DAY: Some would say that you need to be eating “three squares” with a small protein-based snack a few hours after each meal. Realize that this thought process may be changing as research continues to show benefits of one or two normal meals per day.
- UNDERSTAND THAT LOW BLOOD SUGAR AND HIGH BLOOD SUGAR ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SAME COIN: Some of you might be sitting there saying to yourself, “all of this information is all great for someone with high blood sugar. But I have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). What am I supposed to do?” You can start by reading THIS.
- EXERCISE THE PROPER WAY: If you are addicted to spending hours slogging through a workout, READ THIS.
- UNDERSTAND THAT THERE BE OTHER UNDERLYING CAUSES OF YOUR HEALTH PROBLEMS(S): This is especially true if you have not been paying attention to your blood sugar for a very long time. You might have developed underlying problems such as LEAKY GUT SYNDROME, THYROID PROBLEMS, DYSBIOSIS, AUTOIMMUNITY, and a whole host of others (HERE). Yes; you’ll have to deal with those if they are present. But, no matter what your problem is, a great starting point is controlling your blood sugar. For more information on this topic, read this TWO PART SERIES on the subject.
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