If you have been classified as diabetic you are probably
measuring and monitoring your blood sugar levels multiple times per day
...and if you're not, you should be!
High blood glucose levels, or HYPERGLYCEMIA, can create a cascade of ever-worsening symptoms
such as cerebral or pulmonary edema, damage to the kidneys and nerves, vision problems,
and it can increase your insulin resistance.
In some cases, it may even trigger diabetic ketoacidosis...a medical
emergency you certainly don't want!
So... what SHOULD you do when you notice your blood glucose is high directly after a meal?
Can you do ANYTHING to lower your glucose levels IMMEDIATELY when blood sugar is SPIKING?
Well, we're about to find out. We've got 4 ESSENTIAL
TIPS to quickly reduce your skyrocketing glucose.
But before we get to it:
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NOW .. let's answer the burning question...
CAN YOU IMMEDIATELY REDUCE A POST-MEAL BLOOD SUGAR SPIKE?
The short answer is... YES, you can!
But, when we say IMMEDIATELY, we re talking about safe,
quick, and efficient drops in your glucose levels. Typically, by following these tips,
your blood sugar should come back to a healthy range within 15 to 30 minutes.
Doctors recommend that type 2 diabetics bring their blood glucose levels to around
160 milligrams per deciliter within 2 hours after eating.
But, achieving that goal requires taking action...
So, let's give you 4 proven, safe, and quick methods for reducing high glucose levels...
TIP #1. USE YOUR INSULIN
Of course, too little insulin in the blood stream results in high blood sugar.
And depending on the type of diabetes, the human body may be unable to produce adequate amounts.
While this typically pertains to type 1 diabetics,
many type 2 diabetics also require prescription insulin to aid their blood sugar balance.
So, if your doctor has prescribed you a certain dosage of insulin,
and if you find that your blood sugar levels are dangerously high post-meal...
...use your insulin!
But obviously, it s extremely important to have a plan of action when taking medication,
so if your doctor believes it is in your best interest to regularly take prescription insulin,
be sure to ask for specific advice and tips for understanding how much insulin to take,
and the appropriate times to take it.
After you've delivered the insulin, it s a good idea to check your blood sugar 15-30
minutes later to see if your levels have, in fact, dropped. If they are still high for
a significant period after giving yourself insulin, you may require medical attention.
But what if you don't take prescription insulin? You may still suffer from
high post-meal blood sugar. So here comes a tip that everyone can try...
TIP #2. GET MOVING!
When you perform any type of movement, insulin grabs glucose from your blood stream and feeds
it to your muscle cells, where it is then used as a source of quick fuel.
So... if you have the ability to partake in a bit of physical
activity directly after you notice a rise in your blood sugar go for it!
Studies show that just 30 minutes of moderate movement after you
eat can work to quickly lower your post-meal glucose levels.
Plus, research has proven that regular light aerobic exercise like walking, jogging,
and cycling, can work to improve your overall insulin sensitivity.
So regular moderate workouts can aid your body in avoiding future blood sugar spikes.
But be aware that anaerobic exercise - meaning high-intensity routines, resistance training,
or weight lifting workouts may actually cause immediate blood sugar levels to rise,
as high-intensity movement may trigger a release of glucose from your pancreas.
However... studies do show that regularly performing both aerobic
and resistance exercise can improve overall long-term glycemic control,
in some cases as well or better than certain medications.
In general, to bring down your IMMEDIATE post-meal blood sugar by utilizing exercise,
doctors recommend starting a moderate-intensity
aerobic routine about 30 minutes after the start of your meal.
Medical specialists also caution against performing
exercise if your blood sugar is 300 milligrams per deciliter or higher.
But, barring extremely high and long-lasting post-meal glucose readings,
the next time you have a decadant, carb-heavy dinner out on the town,
try taking a relaxing and invigorating walk around the block before heading home.
It can work to quickly minimize a blood sugar spike.
Plus, these effects can actually continue to work throughout your
day. The American Diabetes Association suggests that exercise, in some cases,
may help lower your glucose levels for up to 24 hours.
So, as long as your blood sugar isn t 300 mg/dL or above, performing some physical
movements about 30 minutes after you eat can help you achieve immediate blood sugar benefits.
Our next tip can really help you flush the badness out of your blood sugar.
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NOW let's get back to it.
So... How else can you reduce a post-meal blood sugar spike?
Well...
TIP #3. DRINK LOTS OF WATER!
Did you know that water helps flush glucose out of the body?
Water helps the body absorb glucose from recently consumed food,
and it aids the kidneys in removing excess sugar from the body via urine,
which is especially important for those suffering from diabetes.
The kidneys utilize water to pull glucose from your blood stream,
which may end up resulting in dehydration. That's why
it s vitally important for diabetics to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
In fact, research shows that reduced water intake
can actually impair blood glucose regulation in those with diabetes.
A recent study published in the International Journal of Diabetes Research showed that
drinking 450 milliliters of water after eating can work to lower glucose levels within 2 hours.
Plus, research shows that drinking water before or with your meal can
aid your SATIETY meaning it can help you avoid OVER-EATING. This can further ensure
that your post-meal glucose does not skyrocket.
And overall, regularly drinking water can add up
to sustained protection against post-meal blood sugar spikes.
In fact, a 2011 study discovered that participants who consumed
over 1 liter of water per day had a 28% lower risk of hyperglycemia,
compared with those who only drank up to 500 milliliters of water each day.
So... drink up! Your body NEEDS it!
And now, here s one last suggestion for reducing a blood sugar spike...
Tip #4. TAKE ANY MISSED MEDICATION.
If you are serious about regulating your blood sugar, but still suffer
from high glucose levels ask yourself: did you miss a dose of your medication?
Skipping certain anti-diabetes prescription medications,
or taking them irregularly, can result in post-meal hyperglycemia.
Some diabetes medications that must be taken daily include:
SYMLIN... which helps slow the digestive process and decreases secretion of glycogen
PRECOSE... which lowers the body s ability to breakdown starches
and in turn, decreases blood sugar METFORMIN... which improves the body
s insulin sensitivity, thus helping to reduce long-term glucose levels.
If you've just eaten and notice a significant rise in your blood sugar,
but you forgot to take a prescribed diabetes medication, take it immediately.
Just make sure that you never double-dose, because it may cause negative reactions.
But keeping up with your prescription medication, and taking it after a meal if you ve forgotten to
take it earlier in the day, can help ensure that you avoid a post-meal blood sugar spike.
So now you ve got 4 important methods for quickly decreasing spiking blood sugar.
Following these 4 simple steps can go a long way towards improving
your IMMEDIATE and LONG-TERM blood sugar.
So, the verdict is YES, you CAN quickly
bring your blood sugar levels back into a healthy range following a blood sugar spike.
However, waiting to regulate your blood sugar until after you ve eaten is still
not the healthiest way to treat your condition.
Instead, it s best to work on preventing hyperglycemia from happening in the first place.
How can you achieve this feat? Well... Eat balanced meals of lean protein,
unsaturated fats, and complex carbohydrates Avoid simple-sugar, high glycemic index foods,
like chips, white breads, and deep-fried meats
Take your medications on time and in the right dosages
And get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day
So, what do you think about these tips? Comment below
and let our community in on YOUR BEST BLOOD SUGAR-BALANCING TIPS.
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