If your blood sugar levels -- the amount of glucose in your bloodstream -- is not maintained within a narrow range, you may experience immediate and long-term health effects. According to the American Heart Foundation, blood sugar abnormalities can mean either too much sugar in your blood or not enough sugar in your blood. Dietary supplements may be helpful in controlling your blood sugar levels, but you should only use supplements while you are under the care of a skilled health care practitioner.
Blood Sugar Irregularities
Blood sugar irregularities are particularly common among diabetics, who are unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin or use insulin properly. Harvard Medical School states that proper blood sugar control is extremely important for people with diabetes, and that tight regulation of blood sugar levels in Type 1 diabetics can reduce the risk of serious health complications. Elevated blood sugar levels may cause excessive thirst, hunger and urination, while low blood sugar levels may cause dizziness, abnormal behavior and loss of consciousness.
Helpful Supplements
Helpful dietary supplements for blood sugar abnormalities have a leveling effect on your blood glucose levels. Herbal medicine expert and naturopathic physician Sharol Tilgner, author of "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth," states that several herbal supplements may help regulate your blood sugar levels, including fenugreek, devil's club and Gymnema sylvestre. Helpful non-herbal supplements may include alpha-lipoic acid, chromium picolinate and co-enzyme Q10. More scientific research may be required to justify the use of these supplements in treating blood sugar abnormalities.
A Potent Supplement
Chromium picolinate may be a potent supplement in the treatment of blood sugar abnormalities. Chromium may be best absorbed by your body when it is chelated, or combined, with a substance known as picolinate -- an amino acid metabolite that naturally occurs in your body. Nutrition researcher Phyllis A. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," notes that chromium picolinate has been successfully used in regulating both your blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels. This supplement may be particularly helpful in treating diabetics and heart disease.
Considerations
Blood sugar irregularities can range from mild to severe. In some cases, blood sugar problems may lead to serious health consequences. Because numerous underlying conditions or factors may provoke blood sugar abnormalities, it is always wise to report to your family physician if you develop symptoms attributable to high or low blood sugar levels. Discuss your care with a health care professional trained in clinical nutrition. Supplements should always be used with the utmost of caution.
References
- American Heart Foundation: Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia
- Harvard Medical School: Controlling Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetes
- "Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth"; Sharol Tilgner, N.D.; 1999
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
