Why sugar is “poison “ to the hypoglycemic

Most laymen and even some physicians erroneously believe that hypoglycemia (lower than normal blood sugar level) can best be treated by adding more sugar to the diet. This procedure, they reason, should automatically correct the problem by raising the blood sugar level. This idea, however, is similar to treating alcoholism with more alcohol. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Sugar is the main fuel or nutrition to our brain, just as gasoline is the main fuel to a gasoline motor. The lower the sugar level in the blood stream, the less sugar supply to the brain and the less sugar supply to the brain, the more fatigued or tired and sleepy we feel.

The only substance in the body that will lower blood sugar levels is an excessive amount of insulin. The main function of insulin is to lower the blood sugar level. The less insulin produced, the higher the blood sugar level causing diabetes; the more insulin produced, the lower the blood sugar level causing hypoglycemia.

Excess insulin can only be produced from these sources:
1. Sugars - candy, syrup, cakes, pies, ice cream
2. Starches - donuts, sweet rolls, macaroni, spaghetti, noodles, rice, bread, cereals
3. Caffeine - coffee, tea, chocolate, all diet and regular cola drinks, Tab, and Dr. Pepper

Thus, the more sugar, starches and caffeine consumed, the more insulin produced; the lower the blood sugar falls, the more severely defined are the hypoglycemic symptoms of fatigue, sleepiness, poor memory, depression, vague abdominal pains, dizziness, roaring in the ears (Meniere’s Syndrome), muscle pains or cramps, etc.

The patient suffering from hypoglycemia seems to be on a merry-go-round. The more sugar, starch or caffeine consumed, the more insulin produced, and the lower the blood sugar goes. Then, the more the brain wants to correct this low blood sugar level by increasing the appetite for sugar - and consuming more sugar, the more insulin is produced and so it goes on and on.

The only way the hypoglycemia sufferer can get off the merry-go-round is to remove sugar, starches and caffeine from the diet and replace them with proteins- meat, eggs, cottage cheese, as well as unsweetened fruits and fruit juices. Natural fruit sugars do not cause excess insulin production. This diet eliminates the production of excess insulin and prevents the low blood sugar level from developing. It also prevents the brain from increasing the appetite demand for more sugar.

It is possible, in rare cases, that a hypoglycemic individual can have more than one disorder associated with the symptoms of hypoglycemia. In these rare cases, only after the symptoms of hypoglycemia are removed, is it possible to discover or identify the other conditions.

Diagnosis of hypoglycemia can best be done with a 6 hour Glucose Tolerance test. Nothing but a few sips of water should be taken after eleven o’clock the night before the test and all smoking and medications should be omitted for 24 hours prior to the day of the test.

Treatment of hypoglycemia should include all or part of the following where indicated:
1. Sugar free diet with between meal snacks of fruit, fruit juice or protein.
2. Vitamins - B complex, C
3. Minerals- calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, etc.
4. Hormones - thyroid, estrogen, adrenal