Post Time: 2025-07-18
Blood sugar is a crucial aspect of our overall health, playing a vital role in providing energy to cells throughout the body. However, sometimes blood sugar levels can drop below the normal range, leading to hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. In this article, we will delve into what causes low blood sugar, its symptoms and complications, as well as effective ways to manage it.
Causes of Low Blood Sugar
Low blood sugar occurs when your body has more insulin than it needs to process the glucose in your bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels by facilitating glucose uptake into cells for energy production or storage. Excessive insulin can lead to an imbalance, causing blood sugar levels to drop below 70 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). Certain medications like diabetes medication, excessive exercise, skipping meals, and stress can cause low blood sugar.
Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
Recognizing the symptoms of low blood sugar is crucial in preventing complications. Symptoms may include shakiness or trembling hands, dizziness or lightheadedness when standing up quickly (orthostatic hypotension), sweating, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), hunger pangs, anxiety, irritability, confusion and disorientation. If left untreated, severe symptoms such as seizures and coma can occur.
Dietary Management of Low Blood Sugar
Fortunately, managing low blood sugar is relatively straightforward through diet modifications. Consuming small frequent meals throughout the day helps maintain stable blood glucose levels by preventing a sharp drop after meals. Inclusion of complex carbohydrates like whole grains (brown rice), fruits (apples), vegetables (carrots) and legumes provide sustained energy without spiking insulin secretion.
The Role of Supplements in Low Blood Sugar Management
While dietary modifications are crucial, supplements can also play an essential role in low blood sugar management, especially for those with diabetes. Certain nutrients like berberine have been shown to increase glucose uptake into muscles while chromium improves insulin sensitivity, reducing the likelihood of hypoglycemia.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is highly beneficial in managing blood sugar levels but can be a double-edged sword as it also increases risk for low blood sugar. If you're diabetic or at high risk for hypoglycemia, consult your healthcare provider to create an exercise plan that balances the benefits of regular exercise with minimizing its risks.
Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels
Lastly, proper monitoring of your blood glucose levels is critical in understanding and managing diabetes. Regular self-monitoring allows individuals to recognize trends and make informed decisions about their diet, medication regimen or lifestyle changes.
Blood sugar management requires a well-coordinated effort from healthcare providers, patients, as well as family members supporting loved ones with hypoglycemia risk.
Can alternative sweeteners throw you out of ketosis? Watch this video to find out! For more details on this topic, check out the full article on the website: ➡️ Timestamps 0:00 Ketosis and sugar alcohol sweeteners 0:31 Sugar alcohol sweeteners and the glycemic index 2:00 Key takeaways In this video, we’re going to talk about ketosis and sugar alcohol sweeteners. Many of you have been curious about how sugar alcohol sweeteners alcohol blood sugar diabetes affect ketosis. So let’s take a look at these alternative sweeteners. Let’s start by looking at where these sugar alcohol sweeteners are on the glycemic index. The higher the number, the worse it is for your health and staying in ketosis. Maltodextrin - 110 Glucose - 100 Sucrose - 65 High-fructose corn syrup - 58 Honey - 50 Maltitol - 35 Xylitol - 12 Sorbitol - 9 Mannitol - 2 Erythritol - 1 Monk fruit - 0 Stevia - 0 Although high-fructose corn syrup is lower compared to maltodextrin, it can be even worse because it messes with your liver and causes insulin resistance. Avoid it at all costs! I typically use xylitol. This is my favorite because it doesn’t have a bad aftertaste. Everything below xylitol is going to be fine while on keto. Talk to a Product Advisor to find the best product for you! Call 1-540-299-1556 with your questions about Dr. Berg's products. Product Advisors blood sugar fluctuations are available Monday through Friday 8am-6pm and Saturday 9am-5pm EST. * At this time, we no longer offer Keto Consulting and our Product Advisors will only be advising on which product is best for you and advise on how to take them. Dr. Eric Berg DC Bio: Dr. Berg, age 57, is a chiropractor who specializes in Healthy Ketosis & Intermittent Fasting. He is the author of the best-selling book The Healthy Keto Plan, and is the Director of Dr. Berg Nutritionals. He no longer practices, but focuses on health education through social media. Follow Me On Social Media: Facebook: Instagram: Anchor: TikTok: ABOUT DR. BERG: Disclaimer: Dr. Eric Berg received his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1988. His use if you have low blood sugar do you have diabetes of “doctor” or “Dr.” in relation to himself solely refers to that degree. Dr. Berg is a licensed chiropractor in Virginia, California, and Louisiana, but he no longer practices chiropractic in any state and does not see patients so he can focus on educating people as a full time activity, yet he maintains an active license. This video is for general informational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical exam, cure, treatment, diagnosis, and prescription or recommendation. It does not create a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Berg and you. You should not make any change in your health regimen or diet before first consulting a physician and obtaining a medical exam, diagnosis, and recommendation. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. #keto #ketodiet #weightloss #ketosis Thanks for watching. I hope this helped you learn which sweeteners will affect ketosis and which sugar alcohol sweeteners you should avoid at all costs. I’ll see you in the next video.