Fiber does not contribute to your calorie intake, and is not actually digested by the body at all, yet on mandatory food labels for all consumable products, fiber is listed under total carbohydrate. If you have diabetes, it’s very important to take note of this, because while most carbohydrates have a negative effect on blood sugar levels, fiber does not.

Since fiber isn’t digested, it doesn’t actually raise your glucose levels. Thinking abstractly, fiber will lead to lower blood glucose levels by not raising the levels at all. This is because most people will include fiber in the amount of total carbohydrates they allow themselves to consume. It’s an inverse way of thinking, but it’s very important to note since people with diabetes might not be making the distinction between fiber and carbohydrates when looking at a food label.

Fiber doesn’t raise your blood glucose level, but all of the other carbohydrates grouped together on the food label almost certainly do. Therefore, if you have diabetes, and you are developing a new diet, fiber intake becomes extremely important to you. Unless you are aware of this key difference you might end up undercutting your blood glucose level expectations when building your dieting program. In fact, including a large amount of soluble fiber in your diet will actually help to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Fiber should be a strong part of any diet, whether you are dealing with blood glucose issues or not. According to the American Diabetes Association, the amount of fiber you should consume increases as you age. Men over the age of 50 should have 30 grams per day, while men younger than 50 should have 38 grams per day. Woman over 50 should have 21 grams per day, and women under 50 should have 25 grams per day.

Watching your diet is one of the best ways to manage blood sugar levels and get back on a healthy track. Avoiding these common culprits will take much of the guesswork out of what you can and can’t eat.

Breakfast

We’ll start off with the most important meal of the day, which is often the most sugary meal of the day as well. Common breakfast foods like pancakes and waffles are made with a good amount of sugar to begin with, yet we proceed to douse them with ultra-sweet maple syrup, powdered sugar, and candied fruits. Instead of satisfying your sweet tooth first thing in the morning, try basing your breakfast around a protein rich source like egg whites. This will provide steadier energy levels that will last longer into the day.

Fruit Juice

Despite the recent popularity of “juicing” fresh fruits and vegetables, fruit juice is essentially a dense concentration of sugar. Guzzling down a glass of OJ will send your blood sugar levels flying. Try flavoring a glass of regular or sparkling water with a bit of lemon or lime juice. It might take some getting used to, but you’d be surprised at how refreshing and enjoyable it can be. Sports drinks are another culprit that are sometimes mistakenly considered a healthier option than sodas.

Candy

This one should go without saying. Most candy is made of almost pure sugar and contains no nutritional value whatsoever. If you need to eat something sweet, make it a natural choice like a fresh piece of fruit.

Starchy Vegetables

Vegetables are normally a very healthy choice, but some are better than others are. Potatoes, yams, and corn are all starchy vegetables that will spike your blood sugar, especially if you eat a large quantity. You’re much better off eating a salad of greens or a crown of broccoli.

White Bread

White bread may not taste overly sweet, but digestion quickly turns it into an abundant source of sugar. Put a small piece of white bread in your mouth and let it dissolve for a while. It will begin to taste sweet just like other sources of sugar. The same is true for white rice and pasta. Choose whole grain bread options and brown rice whenever possible. They’ll still raise your blood sugar, but much more slowly.

“Hidden” Sources

Many sneaky foods don’t seem to have much sugar even though they are full of it. Ketchup and barbeque sauce are loaded with sugar. Even “health” foods like energy bars and low-fat yogurt have much more sugar than you might expect. Think carefully about what you eat and try to read the ingredients on a product whenever possible.

German researchers gathered 141 test subjects with an average age of 63 years old. None of the subjects had a history of memory problems, and none had been diagnosed with diabetes, or even prediabetes. The subjects were given memory tests and blood glucose tests. They also underwent brain scans to measure the size of their hippocampus, an area of the brain associated with short and long-term memory and with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers found that those with higher blood glucose levels over extended periods of time had a more difficult time remembering large amounts of words. The findings weren’t necessarily surprising to the medical community, as it’s already been suspected that high blood sugar increases risk of dementia and makes recovery from a stroke more difficult, both neurological conditions. What the study does do is further the notion that high glucose levels keep the brain from functioning at the level it should.

Scientists were sure to note that while the research concludes an association between high blood sugar and lower memory function, it doesn’t quite explain the cause and effect relationships at play. While further testing will be needed, the medical community is hoping that future findings might show that lowering blood sugar over time can improve memory, or at least keep it from worsening.

What remain clear are the negative effects high blood glucose levels can have on health, and that the list of health problems affected by them will continue to grow. GlucoMiracle can help you manage blood sugar levels with its four powerful, pure and potent ingredients.

Everybody experiences the dawn phenomenon, usually somewhere between 4 am and 8 am. At this time, the body produces an assortment of hormones, including growth hormone, cortisol, catecholamines, glucagon, and epinephrine. They cause the liver to release a surge of glucose into the body, presumably to provide the proper amount of energy for a person to wake up from a deep sleep. The body responds by producing insulin to bring blood sugar back down to manageable levels.

For diabetics, however, this is a problem, as they either cannot produce insulin or are desensitized to it. The result can be a potentially dangerous rise in blood glucose levels that must be managed from the outside. In mild cases, a diabetic can calm the effects by eating a proper breakfast upon awakening. More serious cases might call for a dose of insulin in the middle of the night or just before bed. Eating closer to bedtime is sometimes advised as well, as the dawn phenomenon may be lessened if the body hasn’t been fasting as long.

For some, the dawn phenomenon is just another fascinating instance of physiological miracle in the human body. For others, it’s another nagging factor that needs to be closely monitored and compensated for.

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When dealing with diabetes, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. The disease affects people from all walks of life, and earlier this week, movie star Tom Hanks added his name to the list. In an interview on the “Late Show with David Letterman”, the famous actor revealed that he recently received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis from his doctor.

Hanks explained that he’s been struggling with high blood sugar levels for 20 years. High glucose levels are indeed recognized as a major precursor in the development of type 2 diabetes. It’s important to closely monitor diet and the affect it has on blood sugar to reduce potential risk. Engaging in physical activity can also help in maintaining healthier blood sugar levels that mitigate risk.

Hanks also highlighted the positive effects weight management can have, even after a diagnosis. He told of his doctor’s advice to return to teenage weight levels, and joked about how difficult that would be, seeing that he weighed only 96 lbs. in high school. All kidding aside, it has been shown that losing weight can alleviate the symptoms, and even reverse some effects, of type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, which is much more difficult to control, diet and exercise can greatly improve the condition of type 2 sufferers.

It’s now being suggested that Hanks’ fluctuating weight throughout life could have played a part in his present condition. He’s earned a great amount of respect for his serious approach to different roles, which sometimes involves losing or gaining a large amount of weight to lend authenticity to an acting performance. Steady weight levels encourage a better bodily response to insulin and blood sugar regulation.

The good news is that Hanks now appears healthy, and has a positive attitude about his condition. Hopefully, the high publicity of his announcement will help to raise awareness about the disease, and inspire those with high blood sugar to take their health seriously.

GlucoMiracle can help you manage high blood sugar levels with its four powerful, pure and potent ingredients.

You would benefit by maintaining healthy blood glucose levels; failing to do so could lead to serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke, or even death.

Causes of Hyperglycemia

You could suffer from high blood sugar if your body is unable to produce enough insulin. Hyperglycemia could also occur when your body produces insulin, but rejects it. The sugar in your body has a job – it needs to move through your body and cells. Even though the body is rejecting the insulin, the liver will continue to produce sugar; too much sugar in the body could lead to high blood glucose levels.

Some causes of high blood sugar are:

• Emotional stress (related to everyday life – your family or job).
• Failing to take prescribed medication.
• Lack of proper physical activity.
• Insufficient diet.
• The stress that comes from medical illnesses.

Symptoms

If you are suffering from high blood sugar, you may experience various symptoms. Some of those symptoms include:

• Increased Appetite
• Dry Skin
• Weight Loss
• Excessive Urination
• Dry Mouth
• Increased Fatigue
• Vomiting

It is a good idea to test your blood sugar levels on a regular basis, even if you do not have any symptoms. This could help you prevent diabetes and other serious medical conditions. If you have any of these symptoms, you will need to test your blood glucose levels immediately.

Controlling Your Diet

To keep your blood sugar levels normal, you should eat a well-balanced diet. Cinnamon has the ability to improve your blood sugar levels, and possibly prevent you from being at risk for diabetes. Unsweetened oatmeal is another food that could help you control your blood sugar levels.

Foods low in carbohydrates and high in fiber are good for your diet. Bitter gourd, broccoli, green beans, and spinach are good foods to eat to lower your blood glucose levels. Add as many fresh vegetables to your diet as you can possibly eat. Remember to control your meal portions in order to keep your blood sugar levels normal.

Eat plenty of raw and cooked vegetables, but eat starchy vegetables such as potatoes and lima beans in moderation. According to WebMD, starchy vegetables have the ability to raise your blood sugar levels. Large portions of starchy vegetables could be bad for your health.

Drinking water can help you if you have high blood sugar levels. If you drink two glasses of water immediately – at least 8 ounces each – and a third glass of water five minutes later, you can dilute your blood and flush the sugar out of your bloodstream.

Exercise

If your blood sugar levels are high, exercise could help lower them. When you exercise, it is good to check your blood glucose levels before and after you exercise. The less intense your workout is, the better. Moderate exercise could help you decrease high blood sugar levels, but intense workouts might lead to low blood sugar levels.

Keep in mind that there are some instances when exercise could be dangerous. For example, if your blood sugar levels are above 240 mg/dL, the American Diabetes Association suggests you check your urine for ketones. Ketone is a chemical that is produced when you have a shortage of insulin. Your body will break down fat to use for energy. You could purchase a ketone test from your local pharmacy. If you take the test and notice ketones, refrain from exercising, and consult with a physician.

Do not Stress

Try not to panic when you have high blood sugar levels. Stress is bad for individuals with hyperglycemia. Instead of stressing, remain calm and use some of the tips below. When you encounter stress, walk away from the situation or person. You could

• Take deep breaths
• Go for a walk
• Drink chamomile tea

Remember that stressful situations could cause your blood sugar to rise because of the hormones that are released. Keep calm, even if your blood sugar level is high, because stressing will cause it to rise even higher.

It is important that you treat high blood sugar levels; failing to treat hyperglycemia could lead to nerve damage, skin infections, gastrointestinal problems, as well as other medical issues. If you keep your blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, you could prevent complications that are associated with diabetes and continue to live a healthy life.

References

“When Your Blood Glucose is Too High or Too Low.” National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/type1and2/lowglucose.aspx. Accessed on September 23, 2013.

“Hyperglycemia (High blood glucose).” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/hyperglycemia.html. Accessed on September 23, 2013.

“Diabetic Diet: 6 Foods that May Help Control Blood Sugar.” WebMD. Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/features/diabetic-diet-6-foods-control-blood-sugar. Accessed on September 23, 2013.

“Checking for Ketones.” American Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/checking-for-ketones.html. Accessed on September 23, 2013.