Do you or a loved one suffer from diabetes? Does it look like you are doing everything you can, but can’t seem to get that blood sugar just under the limit? Want to know a few tips n’ tricks that may get your sugar down? Then this post is for you my friend….
- Vitamin D: Vitamin D has been shown in studies to help reduce insulin resistance: in other words, it helps your body respond to insulin better, thereby lowering blood sugar levels. Of course if there is vitamin D deficiency, you may need the higher dose of vitamin D for supplementation to reach optimal levels. So I would recommend checking your vitamin D level to see where you are at before starting supplementation.
- Water intake: I kid you not, this one is as simple as it sounds. Adequate water intake is the easiest way to get your blood sugar down. In fact, for emergency conditions with high blood sugar, the first line of management involves intravenous fluids: it achieves the same goal of diluting your blood, and thereby reducing blood sugar and helping your body excrete any excess blood sugar through the urine. And how much water is recommended? If there is no underlying heart, liver or kidney condition, you cannot go wrong with drinking at least 64 to 80 oz a day. For the stronger-willed, a more accurate calculation of the daily need for water in oz, is half the numerical value of your body weight in pounds. For example, a 200 lb person would need [half of 200 = 100] oz water a day.
- Magnesium: Like vitamin D, magnesium helps the body respond better to insulin and thereby helps reduce blood sugar. I have a personal anecdote to add in this regard: with my second pregnancy I had gestational diabetes and was on insulin. Trained as a physician, I was a stickler to the diabetic diet and activity, trying every bit of knowledge in my arsenal to keep it controlled. One day, interestingly, I had a hypoglycemic episode without any other changes in the insulin, food intake or activity levels. The only change I could find was that I had used ‘milk of magnesia’ (which is in fact magnesium hydroxide), for mommy-belly/ constipation. From then on I was on red alert and noticed a drop in sugar or low normal blood sugar when using milk of magnesia. Sure enough, literature now states that oral magnesium supplementation improves insulin sensitivity. So let’s make sure you are having your daily requirement of magnesium (and not more than what is required: let’s remember it’s used as a laxative for a reason 🙂 , besides its potential for heart rate abnormalities).
- Sleep apnea: The silent villain! Often diagnosed only when other causes have been excluded or when snoring drives a partner crazy. Sleep apnea increases insulin resistance, which means the body becomes more resistant to insulin or does not respond to insulin well. Treating sleep apnea has been found to reduce insulin resistance. Click here to learn about 5 life saving sleep apnea hacks.
- Timing of dinner: The sooner in the day you have dinner the better for blood sugar control: ideally before 7 pm, no later than 07:30 pm. You may notice high fasting blood sugar when you have had a late dinner.
- Stress/ Illness: Physical or emotional stress can lead to increased cortisol and raised blood sugar levels. Illness being a kind of physical stress has the same effect. As I write this, I just looked up at my calendar and found this message on it: “Always find time for the things that make you feel happy to be alive.” So get out that sewing kit or your favorite gardening shoes and let’s go bust the last out of stress!
Hope you find these tips helpful. Always remember to consult with your doctor as well.
Have yourself a beautiful day!
