Nutrimed Labs: The Sugar Paradox

THE SUGAR PARADOX

Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, probably contributes to more symptoms of chronic "unwellness" than any other condition. A controversy prevails among health care professionals about whether hypoglycemia exists on a wide-scale basis. Most medical textbooks explain hypoglycemia as a condition due to organic causes such as a pancreatic tumor, a liver glycogen storage disease or an insulin overdose.(1) The average physician may miss the diagnosis of hypoglycemia due to the rarity of these conditions. However, in most instances, appropriate treatment relieves many of the debilitating symptoms. Many patients report that treatment of their low blood sugar problem seems to alleviate other symptoms as well.(2,3,4) Therefore, the condition does exist. We refer to it as "reactive hypoglycemia", which occurs about two to six hours after a meal challenge.(1)

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF REACTIVE HYPOGLYCEMIA
What causes hypoglycemia? What symptoms do we associate with it? Another name for hypoglycemia could be "hyperinsulinism". (1) A condition involving the hormonal system affects many bodily functions. Therefore, numerous symptoms may appear with hypoglycemia. Fatigue usually heads the list for most patients.

MAJOR SYMPTOMS (3)
Fatigue Headaches Drowsiness Concentration problems Irritability Sleeping difficulties Dizziness Anxiety Forgetfulness Depression Fainting/blackouts Craving for sweets Shakiness Indecisiveness Mood swings	Mental confusion Nervousness Exhaustion Temper outbursts Sensitivity to light and noise Allergies Negative thoughts & attitudes Suicidal thoughts or tendencies Lack of sex drive Waking up tired and exhausted Obesity Premenstrual tension (PMS) Alcoholism Visual disturbances Family history of diabetes or low blood sugar

VICIOUS CYCLE
A simple explanation for complex physiology summarizes the primary cause of reactive hypoglycemia. Today's Western diet loads the body with excess refined sugar and grains. Refining these substances strips them of nutrients and enzymes necessary for their digestion and metabolism.(2) Americans consume about 120 pounds of white sugar per person annually compared to about seven pounds two centuries ago.(1,5) This puts an undue strain on the pancreas which releases large amounts of insulin into the blood to bring the blood sugar down to normal levels. In the hypoglycemic individual, the pancreas over-reacts by secreting too much insulin into the blood, causing too rapid a decline in blood sugar and a glucose deficit.(2)

The brain depends on glucose as its only source of fuel. Therefore, the first signs of low blood sugar appear in brain function: headaches, mental sluggishness, drowsiness, mood swings, irritability, jitteriness or hyperactivity. The patient may feel lightheaded and fatigued. These symptoms often trigger a sugar craving for the hypoglycemic patient to raise the brain's glucose level. However, consuming more sugar or starchy foods closes the loop of a vicious cycle. Once the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin after years of abuse from highly refined carbohydrates, hypoglycemia often develops into diabetes. (1,2,3)

THE BIGGER PICTURE
Hypoglycemia involves the entire glandular system, not just the pancreas. The hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, liver and adrenals form the rest of the orchestra which plays out the blood sugar story. The thyroid gland controls the rate at which the blood sugar is burned. The pancreas controls the blood sugar level by secretion of insulin or glucagon. When the pancreas oversecretes insulin in response to consumption of refined carbohydrates, the adrenals produce adrenalin. This stimulates the liver to break down glycogen to compensate for the low blood sugar levels. Repeated adrenalin secretion eventually exhausts the adrenals, rendering them unable to play their part in the symphony. The hypoglycemic patient then reaches for a sugary snack to increase his energy, and the pancreas again dumps high levels of insulin into the bloodstream. Depending on whether the adrenals or the pancreas "wears out" first, the patient may develop hypoglycemia or diabetes, respectively.(2)

The liver has a buffering effect on blood glucose levels. Cortisol, another adrenal hormone, stimulates gluconeogenesis (conversion of amino acids and fats to glucose) in the liver when the blood sugar falls below normal. Glycogenolysis (the breakdown of liver glycogen to glucose) depends on the phosphorylase enzyme, and phosphatase enzymes break down glucose-6-phosphate into transportable glucose. Phosphorylation requires activation by glucagon from the pancreas or adrenalin from the adrenals.(6) A functional deficiency of amino acids can hamper the production of enzymes necessary to accomplish these conversions.

Stress and nutrient deficiencies also contribute to the progression of hypoglycemia. Stress takes its toll on the adrenal glands. Nutrient deficiencies cause imbalances in metabolism.

CONFIRMATION OF DIAGNOSIS
The physician can usually confirm a diagnosis of hypoglycemia with a glucose tolerance test (or a glucose-insulin tolerance test). The patient should undergo this test for a six-hour period to determine a hypoglycemic condition. Some cases do not show up in the shorter two- or four-hour tests. A sharp drop in blood glucose and/or a glucose value below the baseline can indicate hypoglycemia. Taking the postural blood pressure can sometimes signal adrenal involvement. Normally, systolic blood pressure should rise four to ten points upon standing. If it does not, consider adrenal support.

HELP FOR THE HYPOGLYCEMIC PATIENT
The physician should encourage the patient to limit or eliminate the consumption of refined sugars and grains, as well as alcohol. The patient also should eliminate fruits at first because of the high fructose content. Later he may add a piece of fruit per day as his blood sugar stays under control. Eating a healthy variety of whole foods slows the uptake of glucose into the blood.

Most authorities on hypoglycemia recommend a high-complex-carbohydrate, high-fiber diet without too much protein or fat.(1,2) Approximately 50-65t of calories should come from complex carbohydrates, 10-12W from proteins, and 20-30% from fats.(3) The patient should avoid a severely restricted intake of fat since the presence of fat in the diet helps to slow the uptake of glucose into the blood. The patient must eat at least every two hours to keep the blood sugar at a relatively constant level.

Micronutrients should include the anti-stress B and C vitamins which support the adrenal glands and play a major part in carbohydrate metabolism. Also, GTF chromium helps control blood sugar levels by assisting insulin to carry glucose into the cells to be burned for energy. An amino acid supplement will supply the liver with adequate resources to convert glycogen to glucose. Glandulars support the various organs which play a role in carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, a good multi-vitamin/mineral supplement will help boost the available nutrient supply from which all the glands can draw.

SUGGESTED NUTRITION

REFERENCES

1. Bland, Jeffrey, PhD. Your Health Under Siege. Brattleboro, VT: The Stephen Green Press, 1981, p. 164.
2. Tenney, Louise, MH. Modern Day Plagues: A Natural Approach, Revised. Pleasant Grove, UT: Woodland Books, 1994.
3. Krimmel, Edward and Patricia. The Low Blood Sugar Handbook. Bryn Mawr, PA: Franklin Publishers, 1992.
4. Barnes, Broda O., MD, and Lawrence Galton. Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness. New York: Harper & Row, 1976.
5. Crook, William G., MD. Dr. Crook Discusses Hypoglycemia. Jackson, TN: Professional Books, 1984.
6. Guyton, Arthur C., MD. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 5th ed. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders Co., 1976, pp. 907-908, 914, 942, 1025.