Maintaining normal blood sugar levels is important in avoiding hypoglycemia -- a condition in which your blood sugar levels plummet. Hypoglycemia, states KidsHealth.org, is an especially common condition in people with diabetes who fail to consume adequate amounts of food or who take too much insulin. Nutritional supplements may help balance your blood sugar levels and decrease your likelihood of becoming hypoglycemic. Discuss the use of supplements with your doctor before using them for this condition.
Hypoglycemia Background Information
A healthy blood sugar range, states the Comer Children's Hospital at the University of Chicago, is about 70 to 150 mg/dL, although the normal blood glucose range -- especially among children -- may vary between individuals. The Hospital states that hypoglycemia may be a stand-alone condition or a complication of diabetes or other health problems. Missed meals, delayed meals, too much medication and a higher volume of exercise than usual are all contributing factors to hypoglycemia in diabetics.
Nutritional Supplements
In many cases, nutritional supplements may help regulate your blood sugar levels, although more extensive scientific research may be required to support the use of some nutritional supplements for this condition. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, commonly used supplements in treating or preventing hypoglycemia include probiotics, chromium, magnesium, alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, a daily multivitamin, holy basil and green tea. Fenugreek and brewer's yeast may also be helpful in balancing your blood sugar levels.
Supplement in Focus
Brewer's yeast -- a unicellular fungus that is used to make beer -- is a source of selenium, chromium and B-complex vitamins, including vitamin B-1, B-2, B-3, B-5, B-6, B-7 and B-9. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that the chromium contained in brewer's yeast may help diabetics control their blood sugar levels. Brewer's yeast has also historically been used in treating high cholesterol levels, weight gain and acne, and it may be consumed in powder, tablet and liquid forms.
Considerations
If your hypoglycemia is not treated appropriately, you may experience grave consequences, including death. Hypoglycemia is a condition that can often be managed using complementary alternative therapies, although some people may require conventional allopathic therapies to control their condition. Discuss the use of dietary supplements for this condition with your doctor before self-treating with supplements. A licensed health care professional who specializes in clinical nutrition can provide you with accurate and valuable information about the supplements that may be best for you and your condition.
