GlucALite » GlucALite® Blood Sugar Blog

Burgers, Fries, Pizza Pies, and Other Dangerous Foods

GlucALite — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 01:55:02 +0000

The foods Americans were raised to crave are also the cause of the global blood sugar epidemic. The high fat, starchy, and sugar-filled favorites many refer to as “All-American” are also very addictive and very dangerous. It’s not the foods per se that are dangerous, but the way in which they are prepared and the highly processed ingredients used to make them; and once it’s all said and done, these foods represent the antithesis of healthy living.

To be clear, healthy living can easily be defined as a lifestyle that includes a diet high in low-sugar and low-carb foods, and low in high-sugar and high-carb foods, moderate exercise that amounts to your standard daily household tasks, or tasks you may carry-out on in your job; and that’s it. This can also include playing with your kids and grandkids, a day at the shopping mall or amusement park. Point being, it’s not too difficult to get enough activity in your average day-to-day to satisfy that aspect in the definition of healthy living.

Healthy living may sound like a daunting transformation, but it’s not as difficult as one might think. Small incremental changes to your daily diet and activities regime will result in big improvements to your health. If you already spend your days doing laundry, vacuuming the carpet, sweeping the floors, washing windows, and walking the dog then you’re doing more than necessary to satisfy your minimum daily activity requirements to speed your metabolic rate.

Registered Dietitian, Danielle Jacques has produced a series of short informative videos entitled “A Diabetic Diet, Your Glucose, and The Blood Sugar Miracle”, which offer some valuable tips to eating better, as well as the dangerous high glycemic foods you shouldn’t be eating, and getting the most out of living an overall healthy lifestyle.

It is strongly urged that you visit and bookmark her YouTube Channel to see what she has to say. It may just save your life…

Healthy Lifestyle Means Better Blood Sugar

GlucALite — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 17:44:12 +0000

In many cases, controlling blood sugar can be as simple as not eating the garbage that passes for the Standard American Diet. Walking the dog, or an evening stroll around the neighborhood will often suffice as enough exercise to stir the metabolism to action. Just following a better diet coupled with a moderate level of exercise will result in better blood sugar.

Focusing your nutritional intake on a diet that rates well on the Glycemic Index is not only key, it can be delicious as well. Example: Pick your favorite fast-food burger, any one of them, and if you analyze it ingredient by ingredient, you’ll find it’s a real killer, and I mean that literally. Let’s begin with the bun, it is almost invariably made with bleached flour, which is not only loaded with gluten, a source of LDL cholesterol; but the bleaching process utilizes “alloxan”, a diabetes-causing toxic substance. Alloxan is an oxidized product of uric acid that tends to destroy the islet cells of the pancreas, thus causing diabetes according to a majority of bio-scientists. The better choice, both nutritionally and for flavor’s sake, is a multi-grain bun (I really like the Oroweat 7-grain burger buns).

The next ingredient we want to be concerned with is the meat; most fast-food burgers contain the cheaper quality ground beef, higher in fat that also must be processed by the metabolism. Aside from the obvious alternatives like turkey burgers and chicken breast, the better choice for a real beefeater is extra-lean (97%) grass-fed organic beef. It will still give you that genuine beef flavor, and not over overtax your metabolism. Add some grilled onions, sautéed mushrooms, turkey bacon, and a slice of aged cheddar, along with a few EVOO fried sweet potatoes, a fruit smoothie (I like mixed berries and banana), and voila! You’ve got something that kicks-ass on those ridiculous $25 “gourmet” burger meals. So you may want to think twice the next time you decide to “have it your way”.

The point is, in almost every case, whatever your favorite “less than healthy” food may be, there is a healthier and tastier method of preparation to be considered. However, to this day I often find it difficult to always know what to eat, and what not to eat, which is the reason we developed a new video series that will actually teach folks like us to know better.

Not only will you learn what and what not to eat, but you will also learn why particular foods are better for us than others and how they impact your blood sugar. The videos are presented by Registered Dietician, Danielle Jacques, they’re fact-based, and really quick and to the point. You can begin watching the series, :60 Second Blood Sugar News at 60 Seconds of Blood Sugar News You Can Use.

FACT: Your Blood Sugar Need Not Rule Your Life!

GlucALite — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:48:54 +0000

There Are Actions You Can Take To Improve Your Blood Sugar!

Living with blood sugar issues no longer needs to be a relentless, discouraging struggle. In fact, a longer, happier, healthier life is not out of the question any more. There are so many ways to help sufferers with metabolic issues live their life to the fullest, while at the same time, not being a slave to blood sugar peaks and valleys. Those once afflicted with insulin insensitivity now have the opportunity to take charge of their health and make healthy lifestyle choices with the assistance of healthy eating, nutritional supplements, and moderate exercise.

Unfortunately, many people still believe that elevated blood sugar is an unmanageable condition. Don’t believe these rumors! While living with these issues requires you to make better choices in diet and exercise, it certainly does not mean that life is over. In fact, your life is worth living to the fullest, and it’s just beginning anew.

There are easy and beneficial solutions for people just like you who have blood sugar issues, including information about eating healthier, and great ideas for exercise and fun activities. Moreover, greater focus on stabilizing your blood sugar by adding all-natural nutritional supplements to your diet will make a difference almost immediately! There are also beneficial foods that can be added to your daily meal plan to help ensure you enjoy better health sooner than later.

It’s important to remember your life is out there waiting to be lived! A big focus on small changes that come down to healthy lifestyle choices are what will make the biggest difference in your life. Start each week by taking small, easy-to-follow action steps that help eliminate bad habits, including taking a walk regularly, cutting out a soda a day, or eating foods that are low on the glycemic index everyday. By taking these small, but important steps, old routines are successfully changed into new, healthier lifestyle choices help break the hold elevated blood sugar has on your life.

First and foremost you must make the decision to learn what works and what doesn’t for you. Once you do, you’ll become another who has answered the wake up call and now maintain normal blood sugar levels. Adding one healthy habit every week or two can make all the difference in the world to you in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and enjoying a better quality of life.

The key to enjoying life with blood sugar issues is to make small daily improvements such as increasing exercise, cutting out one unhealthy food choice a day, and making an effort to consume more vitamins and minerals daily.

What is the Status of Your Blood Glucose Levels?

GlucALite — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:46:47 +0000

You may have abnormal blood glucose levels. You may not have abnormal blood glucose levels. Should you still test your blood sugar though? Of course! If you struggle with blood sugar that is out of range, it is imperative that you check this often so that you can manage your symptoms more appropriately.

Also, when checking them throughout the day, be sure to write down the results you find so that you can start keeping track of your levels and begin to see your body’s sugar pattern. Even if you don’t have problems with high or low blood sugar levels, monitoring these on a somewhat regular basis can help raise a red flag if your body changes the way it metabolizes food.

Some usual times to test your blood sugar are before meals and at bedtime; however other times that may be beneficial are:

If you feel sick

If you deal with a lot of stress

Before and after you exercise

If you eat too much

If you are taking medicine/s

After eating out at a restaurant, especially if you have eaten foods you do not normally eat

You and your doctor should set a target goal for your blood sugar levels for different times during the day. If your blood sugar is higher than your goals for 3 days and you do not know why, call your doctor or nurse.

Before meals, your blood sugar should be in the range of:

From 70 to 130 mg/dl for adults

After meals (1 to 2 hours after eating), your blood sugar should be:

Less than 180 mg/dl for adults

No matter how mild or severe your abnormal glucose levels may be, it is very unlikely that a physician can tell you how to normalize your blood sugars throughout the day without knowing what your blood glucose values are around the clock. This is why it is so important to start tracking your levels every day and taking charge of your health.

You can do it!

Suffering From Slow Metabolism?

GlucALite — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:39:19 +0000

Are you suffering from a slow metabolism and don’t even know it? A slow metabolism is a diabolical condition that silently sneaks up on you and can lead to out of control blood sugar. Medical professionals estimate that as many as 100 million Americans suffer from a slow metabolism. As soon as your blood sugar skyrockets past the high range of normal into the danger zone, you can experience a slow metabolism which includes an impaired fat metabolism, and impaired carbohydrate metabolism. Slow metabolism, impaired fat metabolism, and impaired carbohydrate metabolism result in your body needing more insulin in order to absorb blood sugar into your cells. As the cell receptors become less receptive to the insulin, sugar and insulin flood the blood stream in excess. The pancreas gets overworked as it keeps trying to produce more and more insulin and fat metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism in your body become impaired in a downward spiral as your body begins to load excess fat on the waistline.

Why is it so hard for you to beat belly fat?

You can exercise for hours every day and eat like a bird, and sometimes you still can’t trim the fat from your waist. This is often due to insulin insensitivity. When you have this condition, the insulin receptor “doorways”of your cells frequently don’t respond properly and the uptake of glucose as badly needed fuel for your cells is impaired, your pancreas secretes higher-than-normal levels of insulin in an attempt to “force feed” the cells trying to trigger them to respond and maintain healthy blood sugar and carbohydrate metabolism. What is wrong with that? Unfortunately, excessively high insulin levels are closely linked to belly fat.

This is because excess insulin drives fatty compounds known as triglycerides into the fat cells of your abdomen causing them to bloat and dump fat around your belly. Insulin can also affect your brain cells, causing an insatiable appetite and cravings that ruin any diet and exercise efforts to stimulate carbohydrate metabolism.

In a randomized double blind placebo pilot clinical study, people who took GlucALite experienced at least an 18.9% drop in fasting blood glucose and at least a 21.7% drop in triglycerides levels in just 30 days. The most important thing you can do for yourself is improve your health today.

Insulin Sensitivity

GlucALite — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:37:01 +0000

Insulin sensitivity is a key issue for any healthy body in dealing with natural blood sugar. Much of the food that we eat is typically broken down in your digestive system into a simple sugar known as glucose which is your body’s main source of energy. Glucose is transported from your digestive system into your blood stream and from there into your cells which use it for energy.

Most of your cells require the hormone insulin to unlock the “receptor doorways” of those very same cells so that glucose can enter them. Insulin is normally produced by the beta cells in your Pancreas. In people with healthy insulin sensitivity, eating food signals the pancreas to produce just the right amount of insulin to enable the glucose from the food to get into the cells of the body. When this process does not function properly or fails the body becomes insulin insensitive.

In people with insulin insensitivity, the pancreas becomes over worked trying to produce more and more insulin because the body’s cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced, and eventually the worn out pancreas often produces little or no insulin. As a result of this condition, excess glucose builds up in the blood stream, overflows into the urine and is passed out of the body. Thus the body loses its main source of fuel for energy even though the blood stream is overflowing with excess amounts of glucose.

At this time, very few doctors recommend supplements to help support healthy blood sugar and insulin sensitivity. That may not sound like a big deal, but with blood sugar it is huge, because unhealthy blood sugar imbalances in the body are typically caused by a lack of insulin sensitivity. Remember, insulin is the biochemical substance that allows the cells in your body to use glucose.

As explained above, when you struggle with insulin insensitivity, the glucose in your blood stream cannot get into the cells of your body that desperately need it for fuel. As a result, you can get tired, even fatigued, drowsy, and often driven by an insatiable appetite and food cravings. This makes it extremely difficult to exercise and eat well…and that makes it almost impossible for your body to lower your blood sugar to normal, healthy levels. This situation can become a horrible downward spiral and health challenge.

Does this sound familiar to you? Many people who deal with insulin insensitivity are dealing with these same challenges. Particularly, as long as they only focus on lowering blood sugar. There is an interesting phenomenon that occurs as soon as they switch their efforts to helping their bodies regulate insulin sensitivity. Switching focus to insulin sensitivity often can put you on the road to recovery in less than thirty days. Using a low glycemic index diet, engaging in regular daily moderate exercise, and providing the body with the nutrients it needs, can result in almost miraculous healthy and normal balancing of previous insulin insensitivity in the body and thus help regulate healthy and normal blood sugar levels.

If your fasting blood glucose reading is over 125, if you experience midday fatigue, if your energy and mood levels are subject to wild fluctuations, if you are over 40 and are struggling with the battle of the bulge, if you crave sugar throughout the day, if your food does not give you all the fuel you need to manage your busy days, then you may be experiencing insulin sensitivity symptoms. Feeling sluggish or tired, especially after eating a meal, gaining weight easily, blood pressure creeping up year after year, and total blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride levels climbing year after year, are some of the red flags that doctors watch for as possible insulin sensitivity symptoms.

Nearly one out of four Americans suffers from unfavorable insulin sensitivity symptoms resulting in blood sugar imbalance that is linked to everything from headaches to potentially life-threatening diseases. One of the best things you can do if you suffer needlessly from yoyo swings of energy and weight gain is to eat a low glycemic, or insulin sensitivity diet. A low glycemic, or insulin sensitivity diet, has been scientifically proven to help balance blood sugar levels which reduce daily energy spikes and crashes. Daily spikes and crashes of blood sugar levels are linked to mental fogginess, unwanted and dangerous weight gain, indigestion, chronic pain, and much more serious health dangers which can lead to serious disease.

Caught early, insulin sensitivity challenges often respond very favorably to a low glycemic index or insulin sensitivity diet. Unfortunately many individuals wait until the problem snowballs. Unfavorable insulin sensitivity symptoms are a very real challenge for every cell in your body because each cell has insulin receptors. As discussed earlier, these receptors are like doorways which allow glucose into the cells of your body, where it is used for energy. But if you have insulin insensitivity, your cells have fewer doorways. And because they are not able to get enough glucose, they literally starve. Worse than that, the excess sugar remains in your blood stream, instead of getting into your cells and being burned as energy. These are some of the harmful symptoms of insulin sensitivity in your body. In addition, as a result of the excess glucose, harmful free radicals multiply in your blood stream and AGEs (advanced glycation end products), can proliferate and can cause many organs in your body to suffer. For example, brain fog: researchers recently discovered that memory scores decline as healthy blood sugar levels rise. Muscle fatigue can also result as cells lack fuel to burn. Heart and arteries can suffer as excess sugar sticks to your blood vessel linings, potentially impairing circulation and cardiovascular health.

A low glycemic index meal plan, or insulin sensitivity diet, moderate daily exercise, and feeding your cells the right nutrients in the form of scientifically tested vitamins, minerals and botanicals, that help support healthy insulin sensitivity symptoms, can make all the difference in the world to your overall health and energy levels.

An insulin sensitivity diet, combined with the other factors mentioned previously, can actually provide healthier nutrition for your brain, eyes, kidneys, heart, and all the cells of your body. Regulating healthy insulin sensitivity can result in every organ in the body functioning better.

Naturally supporting healthy insulin sensitivity can help every organ in your body surge with new health and energy because the pancreas is healthy and functions properly and the cells become modulated to provide plenty of insulin receptor doorways, allowing the fuel needed into the cells so they can do their normal job.

Normal Blood Sugar Range

GlucALite — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:35:11 +0000

What is the normal blood sugar range for healthy blood sugar levels AND what blood sugar range starts to become dangerous?
On January 11, 2008 ABC News Health interviewed Edward S. Horton, M.D. Section Head, Clinical Research at Joslin Diabetes Center, Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

When asked questions about what constitutes the normal blood sugar range for healthy blood sugar levels and what blood sugar range represents a dangerous (emergency) blood sugar level, Dr. Horton provided the clearest medical opinion we have been able to find defining exactly what the normal blood sugar range is. Dr. Horton’s quote below provides a clear explanation of exactly what constitutes a normal blood sugar range for fasting blood glucose levels and post-prandial (after meals) blood sugar range.
“Now, in a normal individual we measure blood sugar under different circumstances. What we call fasting blood sugar or blood glucose levels is usually done six to eight hours after the last meal. So it’s most commonly done before breakfast in the morning; and the normal range there is 70 to 100 milligrams per deciliter.

Now when you eat a meal, blood sugar generally rises and in a normal individual it usually does not get above a 135 to 140 milligrams per deciliter. So there is a fairly narrow range of blood sugar throughout the entire day. Now in our diabetic patients we see both low blood sugar levels that we call hypoglycemia, or elevated blood sugars, hyperglycemia.

Now, if the blood sugar drops below about 60 or 65 milligrams per deciliter, people will generally get symptoms, which are some shakiness, feeling of hunger, maybe a little racing of the heart and they will usually be trenchant or if they eat something, it goes away right away.

But if blood sugar drops below 50 and can get down as low as 40 or 30 or even 20, then there is a progressive loss of mental function and eventually unconsciousness and seizures. And of course that is very dangerous and a medical emergency.

On the other side, if blood sugar gets up above 180 to 200, then it exceeds the capacity of the kidneys to reabsorb the glucose and we begin to spill glucose into the urine. And if it gets way up high, up in the 400s or even 500s, it can be associated with some alteration in mental function. And in this situation, if it persists for a long time, we can actually see mental changes as well. So either too low or very exceedingly high can cause changes in mental function.”

*ABC News Health “What Is The Normal Range For Blood Sugar Levels, And What Blood Sugar Level Constitutes A True Emergency?”-Edward S. Horton, M.D., Section Head, Clinical Research at Joslin Diabetes Center; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, January 11, 2008

Blood Glucose Levels

GlucALite — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:33:37 +0000

Blood glucose levels are some of the most talked about “levels” in health and wellness right now. Couple blood glucose levels with learning how to help your body naturally lower blood glucose to maintain healthy blood glucose levels and you have some of the most important health topics in conversation today. There are safe, natural and effective ways to help maintain healthy blood glucose and healthy blood glucose levels.

World wide, there are millions of people struggling with weight gain, obesity, and metabolic issues such as out of control blood glucose levels, and insulin insensitivity. It is crucial to understand some key points about maintaining normal glucose levels. Putting forth a strong disciplined effort in eating the right foods that have less of an adverse effect on glucose levels (low glycemic), making a decision to exercise each and every day, taking a regular reading to make sure you have a normal blood glucose level, and providing your body with the right nutrients, minerals, and botanicals can help put you on the path to better health, well-being and quality of life.

Do you experience junk food cravings? Are you eating a lot of food yet can’t seem to feel satisfied, full or get enough? Extra weight around your mid section? Sweet tooth calling you late at night? These issues typically relate to blood glucose levels that are out of control. Normal glucose levels and healthy blood glucose go hand in hand. They are one and the same. Sugar imbalances lead to peaks and crashes that can be regulated by a lifestyle that supports healthy blood glucose levels.

By focusing on putting healthy foods in your body that have a low glycemic index (which means they have a lower sugar effect on your blood glucose levels), and avoiding foods with high fructose corn syrup (which is another sugar you should avoid if you want to help your body maintain healthy blood glucose), you can be well on your way to normal glucose levels. It is important to learn what these medical or scientific sounding terms mean such as normal blood glucose levels and not only what these levels are, but what they can mean to your health and well-being. It is also important to know what types of vitamins, minerals, botanicals and nutritional supplements can help provide your body with much needed nutrients to improve your health and support your normal blood glucose level and healthy blood glucose.

The lack of managing the effects of out of control blood sugar can lead to inflammation of the vital organs in the body. This inflammation can also lead to sagging and dragging energy levels, a foggy memory, skin conditions, mood swings and potential depression, as well as a weakened heart, and accelerated aging. It is important to nutritionally support lower blood glucose if your blood glucose levels are in the high range of normal before it begins to spiral out of control.

Take the time to educate yourself. Learn what’s best when trying to lower blood glucose and focus on maintaining a normal blood glucose level. You will be glad you did.

Blood Sugar Levels

GlucALite — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:31:46 +0000

Lowering blood sugar levels is the cornerstone of mainstream medical treatment to address one of the most horrific health epidemics currently facing people on our planet. Researchers estimate that as many as 50% of Americans battle blood sugar imbalances. These imbalances are often linked to heart disease and obesity…and may cause nerve damage, kidney failure, blindness, restrictive circulation, and in the most severe cases, amputation. With complications, blood sugar level challenges are associated with the third leading cause of death in the United States.

Have you ever wondered how you can eat too much and still feel hungry or almost starved? You are genetically programmed to eat until your body gets all the nutrition it needs. Unfortunately, when you eat high glycemic foods (that may be high in calories and low in nutrients) that are turned too quickly into sugar, your body may often tell you to keep eating. Why? Because even if you are full, your body is still starved for nutrients that will provide fuel to the cells so you have energy. Are sweets running you down? Bingeing can result from severely restricting the foods you love. When you become too hungry, you can binge which is a natural response to hunger. When you naturally balance normal blood sugar and have a normal blood sugar level, it can reduce insulin spikes and your body can gain new energy.

Why sugary snacks don’t love you…

The more sugar you dump into your body the more insulin is required to stabilize blood sugar levels. Having a blood sugar level in the high range of normal already causes your LDL cholesterol to oxidize (or rust) which your body in its wisdom, interprets as a signal to come to your defense. The only problem is that the oxidized cholesterol is tougher than almost anything your body can throw at it. Many health professionals believe that the inflammatory chemicals created through excess insulin production can also cause the inside of your arteries to become sticky like thick glue.

Insulin insensitivity and elevated blood sugar in the high range of normal can cause a number of chemical reactions in the body that may create inflammation. For starters, blood sugar reacts with minerals in your body such as iron and copper, creating free radicals which then attack the fat layer membranes of cells. Many health professionals also believe that when your blood sugar levels rise too fast, as mentioned earlier, it creates free radicals that oxidize fats. Some scientists believe that a high blood sugar level causes your LDL cholesterol to oxidize. They also believe that when oxidized, this LDL encourages plaque deposits on the walls of your arteries. As a result, many health professionals and scientists believe that these deposits in turn, may cause the blood vessels to clog, which can lead to impaired cardiovascular function.

Why an elevated normal blood sugar level is tied to excess weight gain…

When you add more sugar to your blood by eating excess sweets and refined carbohydrates, your insulin levels can skyrocket. Excessively increased insulin release can create increased stored body fat. To stay young, trim and healthy you need to eat a low glycemic index diet, exercise and a steady and normal release of insulin into your blood stream, healthy insulin sensitivity, and a healthy normal blood sugar level.

Healthy Blood Sugar

GlucALite — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 07:29:04 +0000

Millions of people are searching across the world for ways to help keep healthy blood sugar levels in check naturally. Promoting healthy blood sugar in the body naturally is most often accomplished by combining a low glycemic index diet, moderate daily exercise, and by providing the all-important nutrients that your body needs to regulate and maintain healthy blood glucose. Diet, exercise, and nutritional support through supplements combined are the cornerstone that supports normal glucose tolerance that subsequently helps maintain healthy blood sugar and healthy blood sugar levels.

What constitutes healthy blood sugar and healthy blood sugar levels? With so many people struggling with higher than normal levels of blood glucose, it is important to be able to determine what is healthy and what is unhealthy when monitoring your blood sugar. It is crucial to monitor your blood sugar regularly in order to help maintain healthy blood sugar and healthy blood sugar levels.
Most endocrinologists (doctors who help patients maintain healthy blood sugar levels) agree that healthy blood sugar is typically gauged by two basic metrics. The first metric is fasting blood glucose. Fasting blood glucose is a measure of the glucose in the blood stream first thing in the morning, approximately six to eight hours or more after the last meal. Healthy blood sugar levels for fasting blood glucose are typically 70-100 milligrams per deciliter.

The second metric that is used to measure blood glucose is called post-prandial (that means after you eat). Healthy blood sugar levels after a meal should not exceed 135-140 milligrams per deciliter. Most endocrinologists also agree that once healthy blood sugar gets above 180-200 milligrams per deciliter that it exceeds the capacity of the kidneys to reabsorb the sugar and the excess sugar begins flooding into the urine. Once you are out of the healthy blood sugar range and your blood sugar moves up into the danger zone, in the 300s, 400s, and even 500s, it can begin to compromise major organ system function in your body. Healthy blood sugar promotes insulin sensitivity and supports healthy glucose metabolism in your body.