What is Blood Sugar?
The key sugar found in blood is known as glucose, more commonly known as ‘blood sugar’. Our bodies obtain glucose from the foods we consume. Foods high in carbohydrates like bread and rice, and proteins such as meats and dairy products, tend to increase blood sugar. Glucose is our main energy source.
Why are High Blood Sugar Levels Bad for You?
Glucose is precious fuel for all the cells in your body when it’s present at normal levels. But it can behave like a slow-acting poison. High sugar levels slowly erode the ability of cells in your pancreas to make insulin. The organ overcompensates and insulin levels stay too high. Over time, the pancreas is permanently damaged.
Almost any part of your body can be harmed by too much sugar. Damaged blood vessels cause problems such as:
- Kidney disease
- Strokes
- Heart attacks
- Weakened immune system, with a greater risk of infections
- Poor circulation to the legs and feet
- Slow wound-healing and the potential for amputation in rare cases
Maintaining Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
Normal blood glucose levels are below 100 mg/dL after not eating for a minimum of eight hours and they are below 140 mg/dL two hours after eating. During the day, levels tend to be at their lowest just before meals for many people without diabetes, blood glucose levels before meals are around 70 to 80 mg/dL for a few people, 60 is normal; for others is 90.To maintain healthy blood sugar levels, it is important to follow a healthy diet, exercise regularly, check your blood sugar levels to evaluate how your body responds to certain events such as foods, etc, get enough sleep and try adding supplements which promote and maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Healthy Diet
Eating is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and our blood sugar level doesn’t have to change that. Foods consumed in moderation and variety are important to maintaining a full and healthy lifestyle. Many of the foods we enjoy, maybe too much sometimes, can be prepared in a healthier way to help you balance your diet.
We also do not have to skip the dessert table altogether at the next family get-together but have a smaller portion and limit your intake of the sugary sodas being offered. Normal blood sugar levels can be maintained through moderation. Some of these include:
- Foods with high sodium e.g pickles, canned soups
- Foods/snacks/drinks with high sugar content e.g candies, sodas
- Packaged and processed foods e.g Frozen pizza
- Starches e.g bread, cereal, crackers, grains, rice, pasta
Even though carbohydrates raise blood sugar more than other foods, we still need to consume some of them because they provide the body with energy, along with minerals and vitamins we need in our diet.
To lower or maintain healthy levels of blood sugar, the following list of foods can be incorporated into our diets and have been shown to be great additions because of their nutritional values:
- Seafoods
- Meat
- Eggs
- Oats
- Barley
- Most fruits
- Non starchy vegetables
- Foods that are high in fiber eg. vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains.
Staying hydrated is also an important part of your diet. Drinking water not only keeps you hydrated but it helps your kidneys get rid of excess blood sugar. Regularly hydrating therefore lowers your blood sugar and lowers the risk of diabetes.
Regular Exercise
It is important to maintain a proper diet and to regularly exercise if we want to stay healthy and fit throughout our years. As we age, our body changes which can lead us to develop ailments which can affect normal body functions.
Normal blood sugar can be maintained through regular exercise. Regular exercise can help us lose excess weight and increase insulin sensitivity which simply means your cells are better able to use the available sugar in your bloodstream. This will lead to lower blood sugar levels and a healthier you. Be advised that too low blood sugar levels are also not ideal for optimal health.
Exercises for increased insulin sensitivity include:
- weight lifting,
- brisk walking,
- running,
- biking,
- dancing,
- hiking,
- swimming and more.
Check Your Blood Sugar Levels Regularly
If you are having problems with your blood sugar levels, you should routinely check your levels. This will help you learn how you respond to different activities and keep your blood sugar levels from getting either too high or too low. A blood sugar testing kit can be obtained from your local pharmacy or your doctor
Get Enough Sleep
Adults who chronically get less than 7 hours of sleep nightly experience metabolic and biologic changes. Getting adequate sleep not only helps you maintain your blood sugar levels but also improves your overall health and quality of life.
MD Logic’s Glucose Defend
While it is essential to watch what you eat, exercise regularly, check your levels and take extra precautions when your blood sugar levels spike up or down, we can also incorporate supplements into our diet which help us to maintain the balance. Please consult your physician before adding supplements into your diet.MD Logic’s Glucose Defend features substantial quantities of stabilized chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, Cinnamon, and the plant alkaloid Berberine in a convenient capsule. These ingredients are proven to aid with insulin activity and glucose metabolism. Recent studies also suggest that Berberine may play a role in preserving A1c levels already within the normal range, thus also supporting cardiometabolic health.
Berberine, a natural botanical phytochemical, is sourced from plants including Goldenseal, Phellodendron chinense, Phellodendron amurense, and Barberry, the latter being the direct source of Berberine in Glucose Defend. Berberine has multiple health-promoting properties, with research demonstrating that Berberine helps maintain glucose levels already in the standard range, as well as supporting lipid metabolism, positive cell-signaling, antioxidant support, and healthy immune response.
Glucose Defend also provides Alpha-Lipoic acid, a multifunctional antioxidant that has innumerable effects that complement Berberine. These effects include reducing oxidative stress, regenerating antioxidants, boosting your body’s antioxidant defense system at the gene-expression level, increasing the synthesis of glutathione by the body, AMPK activation, affecting adipose cell differentiation and escalating the stimulation of glucose uptake into target tissues, making ALA a beneficial addition to Berberine for cardiometabolic health*.Additionally, Glucose Defend comprises a patented Cinnamon extract, CinSulin, which was clinically proven to powerfully influence glucose metabolism. The water extraction process results in a concentrated extract, which minimizes undesirable substances, while maintaining those that are health-promoting, such as type-A polymers. Cinnamon has been heavily studied for its role in glucose disposal, glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscles, promoting healthy insulin activity, and supporting blood lipid levels.
Glucose Defend is also made of Chromium, an essential micronutrient required for normal lipid and cholesterol metabolism and also for promoting the function of insulin receptors on your cells, thus improving overall insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. Crominex 3+® used in Glucose Defend is found to be the most advanced chromium complex that has been optimized with a standardized extract of Indian gooseberry, Capros® and PrimaVie® a purified Shilajit extract for superior stability and efficacy.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a physician before consuming supplements.
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