Reactive Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is the medical term for low blood sugar.

Reactive hypoglycemia refers to the low blood sugar reaction caused when carbohydrates are eaten and 2-5 hours later the blood sugar level goes lower than it should, resulting in certain symptoms which are very similar to the high blood sugar symptoms that diabetics experience.

When carbohydrates are eaten, their absorption normally causes an increase in insulin to deal with the higher blood sugar level that carbohydrates cause. This is because carbohydrates are converted into a form of sugar to provide energy for the body.

The pancreas releases too much insulin and drives the blood sugar level too low resulting in hypoglycemia symptoms. Diet and certain herbs can be used very effectively to control hypoglycemia symptoms and there may also be a more direct cause such as a yeast infection (candida). In such a case the yeast infection needs to be addressed first. So, there may be causes for the hypoglycemia in addition to just saying it is faulty carbohydrate digestion and absorption.

Also, please note that hormone problems can produce symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia. Check out our mens and womens sections on hormone balancing for more information.

Here is information on mens hormones and how they affect overall health and here is another on womens hormone issues and the possible health problems of hormone imbalance.

A focus on improving health is the best treatment for hypoglycemia and it is possible in most cases to completely eliminate hypoglycemia symptoms. When diet continually causes the blood sugar level to swing up and down, eventually this can lead to other problems such as insulin resistance and eventually, it is possible to develop diabetes. Then it becomes even harder to reverse things, although with determination and the right dietary approach, type ii diabetes can be reversed.

Dealing With Reactive Hypoglycemia Naturally