Ways to Improve Fasting Blood Sugar Levels

As the name suggests, the blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose (sugar) in an individual’s bloodstream. Generally, a fasting blood sugar test is performed to diagnose and monitor diabetes as these levels do not get influenced by any recent meals and one gets the most accurate results. If the levels of fasting blood sugar tests are not within the normal range, it could be a sign of diabetes or other serious medical conditions. Either the blood glucose levels are too high or too low, both of which can be dangerous. High blood sugar levels, also known as hyperglycemia can be a sign of diabetes or pre-diabetes. Low blood sugar levels or hypoglycemia, on the other hand, are common among individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Causes

Some of the most common causes of high blood sugar are:

• Stress
• Unhealthy dietary behaviour
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Dehydration
• Irregular doses of diabetes medication (for people already diagnosed with diabetes)
• over-treatment of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels)
• Certain medicines including steroids

Some common low blood sugar causes include:

• Taking high amounts of insulin.
• Insufficient carbs consumption
• Lifestyle habits like alcohol consumption, smoking etc.
• Not taking a nutritious diet
• Hot and humid weather
• Extreme changes in the routine
• Spending time at a high altitude
• Menstruation

Symptoms

Some common symptoms of high blood sugar are as follows:

• Persistent thirst and dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Constant lethargy
• Blurred vision
• Unintentional weight loss
• Reoccurrence of infections like bladder infections or skin infections

Common low sugar level symptoms include:

• Fast heartbeat
• Shaking
• Sweating
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Dizziness
• Hunger

How to Improve?

Extremely high or low blood sugar levels can cause a number of health issues, while some of them occur gradually over time and some are sudden. Having abnormal blood sugar levels for prolonged periods may lead to a number of serious complications like:

• Vision impairment and blindness
• Foot ulcers
• Infections and amputations
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Heart attacks
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Severe damage to the nervous system

Insulin is a hormone that helps human cells efficiently consume the sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Although the human body manages to control blood sugar levels on its own by producing enough insulin, there are a number of factors that can impair blood sugar management. And, this eventually leads to hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.

In some cases, doctors put the person on medication for high blood sugar but there are a few natural ways to reduce blood sugar fast. You can follow these tips to keep your blood sugar levels in control and avoid any complications.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Being overweight is one of the major risk factors for diabetes. Those few extra kilos can severely affect the body’s ability to use and respond to glucose, leading to abnormal blood sugar levels. Maintaining a healthy weight is an effective way of keeping blood sugar levels in check.

Change Your Dietary Behavior

A healthy diet can go a long way in improving blood sugar levels. There are certain foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, fish, olive oil etc. that help in controlling the rising blood sugar levels of a person. And, people with high blood glucose levels should definitely avoid consuming red and processed meat, refined carbs and sweets, sugar-sweetened beverages, and high-fat foods.

Exercise Regularly

Getting involved in physical activity is the fastest and most effective way of controlling blood sugar levels. Regular exercise is required to maintain healthy fasting blood sugar levels, whether one has been diagnosed with diabetes or is trying to avoid it. A sufficient amount of physical activity will not only help an individual maintain a moderate weight but can also increase insulin sensitivity. And better insulin sensitivity means the cells can use the glucose available in the blood more effectively.

Get Enough Sleep

Getting an adequate amount of sleep can help a person reduce the amount of sugar in their blood. This is another effective way to keep fasting blood sugar levels within the normal range. The reason behind this is simple – not getting enough sleep has an effect on the human body similar to insulin resistance so lack of sleep can cause a major spike in the blood sugar levels of a person.

These are some practical ways of controlling blood sugar levels. Other than this, monitoring the sugar levels on a regular basis also helps in controlling them. It is also important to consult with a healthcare professional, before making any extreme lifestyle changes or trying any supplements for diabetes. Over time, all these steps can improve blood sugar levels and control health issues related to high or low blood sugar levels.