By Jurriaan Plesman BA(Psych), Post Grad Dip Clin Nutr
What is known as the hypoglycemic diet should really be called the “Natural Diet”. This is the diet that humans have consumed over the millions of years to which our digestive system has adapted. The “Natural Diet” is natural to the individual only and may be different from one person to another. Nordic European people who have consumed milk as part of their diet in their ancestry may have better tolerance to cow’s milk, than those people whose ancestry was not exposed to that kind of milk as in Asia or Africa. Southern European with a long history of alcohol consumption are more tolerant of alcohol than people for whom alcohol was never part in the hereditary diet, such as Australian aborigines.
Furthermore, this natural diet has to take into account quirks of inborn genetic disorders such as gluten intolerance as in coeliac disease, Crohn’s Disease, or Ulcerative Colitis.. These may well be hidden behind the mask of hypoglycemic symptoms.
The best plan is to ask yourself what diet your ancestors ate and you don’t even have to go back to very ancient times; think of your grand-parents. Think of what people ate in the 19th century without the sugar.
Whatever diet you finish up with, you must choose a diet that you enjoy. By choosing a diet that you do not enjoy – called “force-feeding” - you may not produce the first necessary enzymes in the saliva as a first step in digestion.
Probably the hypoglycemic diet differs from the natural diet in that the number of snack per day are increased.
In brief the nutritional treatment of the hypoglycemic condition consists of:
1) Avoidance of sugar, coffee, strong tea, nicotine if possible, refined carbohydrates, such as white bread, white rice, cakes and sugary drinks, candy bars, colas, cookies, ice cream sweetish fruits such as bananas, grapefruit, melons, honey and dates (these fruits may be reintroduced at a later stage in moderation) etc.
2) High protein + complex carbohydrates snacks every three hours or sooner, to provide a slow release of glucose, and to prevent the hypoglycemic dip. A high protein breakfast must be considered the most important meal of the day. ”High-protein foods, such as fish, eggs, chicken, and beef, contain all twenty-two, including the nine amino acids that are considered essential for humans.” Source Plus animal fats that are also essential for good health. Eat plenty of green vegetables and fruits and the more varied the diet the better it is.
3) Supplementation of diet with Anti-stress vitamin B-Complex tablets, including vitamin B6, B3, B12, chromium picolinate, magnesium, zinc + Vitamin C, and fishoil (omega-3 fatty acids), vitamin D. For a fuller list of nutrients, deficiency of which can be responsible for mood disorders see: R Hemat, 165 See 6 studies in support of omega-3 fatty acids for Depression and Bipolar Disorder. See also Rich Rich Sources of Nutrients. Also make sure that the mineral sulphur MSM is included in your diet See: Dr Jospeh Mercola on Sulphur.
4) Other supplements that could slow down the absorption of glucose (thereby avoiding blood sugar peaks and the release of stress hormones) are: Psyllium Seeds Husks (1 tbsp per day), Glucomannan including pectin (follow instructions on bottle), and Cinnamon. Also see “Herbs with Hypoglycemic Effects “ at: Research Evidence for Hypoglycemia
5) Avoidance of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s) GMO’s is having a dramatic influence on our health especially on our digestive system responsible for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s Disease, Autism, Allergies etc etc. See 59 min video.
The Hypoglycemic diet aims at normalizing blood sugar levels, thereby normalizing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, that are thought to be responsible for the symptoms of mood-swings, depression, anxiety, phobias, alcoholism and drug-addiction.
Such a diet needs to be adjusted to the individual needs and nutritional biochemistry. It needs to take into account the influence of allergies.
Furthermore, it should be realized that the beneficial effects of the hypoglycemic diet may take considerable time. If drugs or medications has been used it may take a year for damaged neuro-receptors to be repaired by a high protein diet. (Volkow ND et als. 2001). Normally, the effects of this diet is noticeable within three months. If after this time symptoms still persist, it is time to seek the help of a clinical nutritionist or nutritional doctor for further testing, diagnosis and treatment.
As a rule of thumb ask yourself: “Is what I am eating nature-made of man-made?” Nature-made food consists of complex carbohydrates and proteins, the kind of food we were meant to eat.
Try to introduce the diet slowly and gradually. A strict hypoglycemic diet may cause you to feel worst at first, because your are left with low blood sugar levels. This would last a week or so.
These symptoms can be alleviated by taking a tablespoon of GLYCERINE mixed in milk or in a diluted natural fruit juice three times day (ratio of 20 mls of glycerine to 285 mls of water) ). GLYCERINE, which can be considered a general anti-stress remedy, is metabolized in the liver before it is converted to “energy”, so it does not stimulate excess insulin secretion from the pancreas. An other alternative sweetener is FRUCTOSE, which is also metabolized in the liver into glucose. But excess fructose will be converted to triglycerides. But generally fructose should also be avoided.
When introducing a new diet we must always consider possible allergies. Many hypoglycemics have hidden allergies, that is after having been on the hypoglycemic diet for some time they discover that they are allergic to certain food items. These were there all the time, but were masked by hypoglycemic symptoms. Finding your Allergies.
Ask your doctor to give you a B12 injection as most hypoglycemic are deficient in this vitamin.
The Hypoglycemic Diet should not be regarded as a ‘quick fix diet’. It takes time for the body to adjust to a different nutritional lifestyle. Time is needed to absorb and metabolize nutrients to be converted to neurotransmitters, enzymes and coenzymes, and to rebuild receptors for natural neuro chemicals.
Withdrawal of drugs should always be under the supervision of your doctor.
If you find that the hypoglycemic diet is not improving your symptoms, it may be that in addition to hypoglycemia, other silent diseases as yet not identified may affect your moods. In that case, it is suggested that you seek the help of a Nutritional Doctor, Clinical Nutritionist or a Nutritional Psychotherapist for further medical testing.
Also read Simple Dietary Rules.
Please discuss this article with your health care worker, doctor or nutritional doctor or therapist.
How does one manage the fast required for certain surgery or procedure. Eating evrry 2-3 hours works fine & cinnamon controls tendency to panic, but trying to eat enough before midnight to get to 9:00 the next morning is questionable. Do they control it with an IV in the surgery setting?
Supposedly, the ane’sthesiologist will answer questions the night before, but that’s kind of late.
Thank you,
Bee
Yes, this is best answered by a doctor. I always suggest to take a supplement of zinc some weeks before an operation as zinc helps to heal wounds,. Nevertheless, tell or ask your doctor.
Does hypoglycemia cause hair loss? I read somewhere that hair loss is a result of blood glucose – is there any truth to that? I was just told I have androgenic alopecia but we have no family history of it, and I also read that hypoglcemia lows cause a burst of testosterone and in turn causes the pattern baldness. Any comments appreciated. Thanks
This is an interesting question. Here is a copy of one of my notes I take, when i am studying articles:
ALOPECIA (hair loss)
“Dull hair color or dry and brittle hair may be indicators of a deficiency in essential fats in the diet, oily hair may be a sign of a B vitamin deficiency.
Recent medical studies have found that a high percentage of women with thinning hair are deficient in iron and the amino acid lysine. It is difficult to obtain sufficient lysine through diet alone. Lysine is important in the transport of iron and necessary to support hair growth. Lysine is found in eggs and red meat so vegetarians needs to be aware of this potential shortfall in their diets.
The amino acids L-Cysteine and L-Methionine are believed to improve hair texture, quality and growth.
Low-fat foods that rank high in protein, low in carbohydrates, can play a vital role in sustaining healthy hair growth and aid in preventing hair loss. Important essential fatty acids for maintaining hair health are found in walnuts, sunflower seeds, sardines, spinach, soy and canola oil. Omega 3 and Omega 6 Oils protect the heart as well as your hair so include salmon in your diet on a regular basis.
Herbs:Aloe Arnica Birch Burdock Catmint Chamomile Horsetail Licorice Marigold Nettles Parsley Rosemary Sage”
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1158121
Hello,
I’ve never written or done anything like this but after reading your site I felt compelled to share my story….or my Mom’s story. Back in the early 80s she got very ill. Couldn’t digest food, terrible mood swings, panic attacks and horrible depression. She saw many doctors to no avail. They put her on tranquilizers and eventually committed her to a mental hospital. As a mother of 4 young children she was at a loss as to where to turn. Now addicted to tranquilizers and unable to leave her home or bed unless absolutely necessary, she was introduced to a Chiropractor that diagnosed her as hypoglycemic. He put her on a strict diet of high proteins every couple hours. This along with regular chiropractic treatments, strong supplements (especially vitamin B), and eventually light exercise she came out of it! She weaned herself off of the tranquilizers and got plenty of rest. It took her years to fully recover, and to this day she still sticks to a hypoglycemic diet but leads a normal life! Thanks to the chiropractor that knew something that no other doctors seemed to know. To this day him and his family are very dear to us. He saved my mothers life!
This is a tragic story all too familiar to us. It is such a pity that the medical profession remains so ignorant about nutritional medicine. Depression is simply a nutritional disease, so simple to treat. We have a epidemic of “mental illness” and the professionals are at a loss of how to treat it. This is why we are with the HHAA to educate people and professionals in the hope to eradicate this illness. Thank you for your contribution.
I have high BP. Cant’ take medications of any kind. I apparently have an overactive sympathetic nervous system. Have taken ( through a holistic cardiologist ) 240 mg of R – Lipoic acid to keep my BP under control. Several weeks ago it caused me to be deficit in my sugar ( blurry vision, dizziness and exhaustion ). I stopped taking it at some sugar and my visioni returned and I was energized. Can you tell me what you know about R-Lipoic acid? Can too much of it cause Hypo swings? Is it dangerous? Can I get diabetes from taking it? Or a permanent HYPO condition? Please advise. Thanks.
You will find all the informatioin at:
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-767-ALPHA-LIPOIC%20ACID.aspx?activeIngredientId=767&activeIngredientName=ALPHA-LIPOIC%20ACID
Thank you so much for providing this information, it’s the only thing that really explains what’s going on with me. Seven years ago I took two energy pills during my workout and that day had my very first episode of Pure O OCD, completely irrational obsessiveness that plagued me for many years to come. It was hell.
At present, I’m doing better with medication, but I still get feelings of breathlessness and feeling on edge. I get very irritable after working out. I am overweight and am sure I’m insulin resistant. To top it of lately I go to bed feeling so tired but it’s like my brain is having trouble making the transition to sleep, and I keep getting what feels like adrenaline rushes that startles me from me almost falling asleep, and waking up during the night.
I would greatly appreciate your input and shed some light on how I can mange to lose this weight without losing it
Sticking the to hypoglycemic diet and eliminating any allergies or food sensitivities, should resolve the problem. Also use glycerine (http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/2011/research-evidence-for-hypoglycemia/#GLYCERINE) to help you sleep and face anxious moments.
If problems persist consult nutritional doctor, clinical nutritionist or a naturopath.
I hope you will start to feel better.
I have found glycerine very helpful for the sugar crash in the middle of the night (and its attendant adrenalin-induced horrors) – it is easy to stir into some skim milk when one is half-asleep. But it is not so easy to buy as many supermarkets do not stock it. I was wondering if any of those protein powders are suitable for the same purpose if you cannot get glycerine? Are any of them low in sugar – and what constitutes “low” (in terms of grams/100g)? Are there any other reasons apart from sugar content which would make them unsuitable?
Glycerine should be obtainable from any health food store. Perhaps they have to order it specially for you. I suggest you buy one liter of it. It is specifically designed to provide energy, bypassing insulin secretion, and to help you with sleeping, facing or dealing with a stressful situation. I am not aware of any other substance that can provide the same effects