1. Why It Matters
Lowering high blood sugar levels is important in preventing diabetes or keeping it under control if you already have it. Blood sugar levels fluctuate throughout the day, mainly depending on what you eat. Consistent high blood sugar (hyperglycemia or diabetes) may lead to life-threatening illness such as heart disease, circulatory problems and kidney failure. Circulatory problems may lead to loss of limbs. Consistent high blood sugar can cause blindness.
2. Stay Healthy by Monitoring Levels
Severe damage can occur to your body's organs when blood sugar levels remain high for too long. That's why it's important to monitor your blood sugar levels on a regular basis. Your doctor may prescribe a blood sugar monitoring kit that's easy to use. When you check your blood sugar levels morning, noon and night (some doctors recommend checking right before and right after each meal), you can make adjustments to your diet or take other measures necessary to lower your blood sugar levels as soon as possible.
3. Eat Right
Eating a healthy diet may keep your blood sugar levels under control. White refined sugar causes the pancreas, which produces insulin, to work too hard. Insulin's function is getting glucose (blood sugar) to your body's cells to fuel your body. Eating too many sweet desserts and drinking too many sugary drinks wreaks havoc on your system. Processed, packaged foods and white breads also affect blood sugar levels. Eat mostly fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads and cereals and fish and chicken. These foods are healthy choices for lowering high blood sugar levels. Many people avoid going on insulin injections for elevated glucose simply by eating right.
4. Monitor Your Mineral Intake
Vitamins and minerals work to help keep blood sugar levels down. Studies show that particular nutrients are necessary in the body for maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Chromium is one of the most important minerals for lowering high blood sugar levels. Decades of research on chromium suggests that too little chromium in your system increases your chances of getting diabetes. Americans over the age of 50 may have general chromium deficiencies due to poor eating habits. Magnesium is another important mineral for keeping blood sugar levels in healthy ranges. Take vitamin and mineral supplements and be sure you get chromium and magnesium in your daily dose.
5. Exercise Has Multiple Benefits
Exercise is vital for lowering high blood sugar levels. Obesity is one factor in developing diabetes. Eating too much of the wrong foods not only causes weight to go up, but blood sugar to go up as well. Get off the couch and walk your blood sugar down. A simple 30-minute walk three to five times per week (or preferably daily) may go a long way in lowering your weight and your blood sugar at the same time.
