How to Lower Blood Sugar
You know, one of the most common questions I get asked is about diabetes, and in particular how you can reduce your blood sugar without resorting to prescription pills.
And there’s a good reason why so many people come to me every week about diabetes – it’s an epidemic that’s destroying the health of our nation.
Just ask yourself this – how many people do you know have Type 2 diabetes?
How many do you know that are prediabetic?
If you’re not sure about that second question, don’t worry – you’re not alone. Most people have no idea that the following symptoms are signs of being at high risk for diabetes until their doctors tell them:
- Being thirsty all the time
- Always feeling tired
- Having to use the bathroom more than normal
- Hands or feet feeling tingly
- Slower than normal healing of bruises
If that sounds like you or someone you know, then it could be a case of prediabetes.
And it’s only a thin line separating prediabetes from full-blown Type 2 diabetes.
But today, we’re going to change all that.
Because I’m going to show you what you can do to get your prediabetes under control and put an end to the blood sugar blues – all without a single prescription pill.
Now, I’ll be the first to say that some of these changes are harder than others, but the truth of the matter is that they’re all easier than living a life with diabetes – that’s something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
So, let’s get started:
Pro Tip #1 – Drink Water, Not Watery Drinks!
In my mind, there’s no greater danger facing American health than soft drinks and, even worse, “healthy” drinks that are little more than thinly disguised sodas. You know the ones I’m talking about – sports drinks, energy drinks, and even sugar-laden concoctions that have the audacity to include “Water” in their name.
The average American drinks 45 gallons of soft drinks a year. 45 GALLONS!!
That’s 20 pounds of sugar! Imagine what 20 pounds of sugar looks like and now picture putting that in your body every year. And that’s only if you’re average – you could be drinking even more.
What I urge you to do is to cut out those sodas and replace them with ordinary, filtered water. Not only will you see an immediate drop in your blood sugar, but you’ll also…
- Avoid excruciatingly painful kidney stones
- Improve your body’s immunity
- Regulate your bladder for fewer trips to the bathroom
- Protect your teeth from decay
- And even gain a noticeable memory boost
All from simple, good old water.
And if you combine that water intake with…
Pro Tip #2 – Get a Better Night’s Sleep
Then you’ll certainly see dramatic improvements in your blood sugar levels.
See, there’s a serious connection between sleep and blood sugar – one that even scientists don’t understand completely.
However, what is clear is that there is a direct correlation with people who don’t get enough sleep and diabetes. And that correlation is probably related to insulin.
The leading theory is that when you don’t get a full night’s rest, it affects your body’s natural routine (called the circadian rhythm). In turn, your body’s insulin sensitivity is decreased, meaning that it can no longer absorb the glucose in your blood.
In other words, it causes your blood sugar to go up.
Therefore, simply establishing and sticking to a healthy sleep routine is a great way to whip your insulin back into shape and lower your blood sugar.
Like drinking water, there is an absolutely huge list of other benefits that come with getting enough sleep:
- Boosts cognitive function
- Improves heart health
- Reduces stress
- And gives you a better daytime mood
Not to mention that it just feels good!
When you wake up refreshed and ready to start the day, you’re better able to stick to your goals (like drinking more water), resist sugar cravings, and even have the energy for…
Pro Tip #3 – Every Little Bit of Exercise Helps
Now, I know that this is where I lose most people.
There’s a million reasons why you might not want to exercise. Maybe your schedule is too full, or maybe you think you’re too out of shape to start, or maybe you’d rather just turn on the T.V. after a hard day of work instead of going to the gym.
Hey, I get it.
Exercise is one of those things that everybody knows is great for their bodies, yet the percentage of people who exercise on a regular basis is extremely low (80% of Americans don’t get the exercise they need, according to the CDC).
What I tell people is that every little bit of exercise is good – doesn’t matter if you’re doing 10 minutes or 2 hours. The important part is that you’re actually doing it.
And it can be any kind of physical movement.
If you’ve got a more sedentary life, start by just taking 10 minutes to walk around the house. But make it brisk and do it every day.
What I’m betting will happen is that you’ll like how you feel. Exercise releases endorphins – the same as sugar, but in a healthy way. So, you’ll get that jolt of energy without the blood sugar complications.
And I’m sure you knew this was coming – exercise helps in other ways as well:
- It’s the #1 way to lose weight
- Doesn’t just lower your blood sugar – it makes your whole body healthy
- Reduces your risk of countless diseases
- Gives you a better sex drive
- Makes your skin look better
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve scaled back my own exercise, but I still do enjoy walks most days with my wife to get the blood moving (weather permitting).
To help keep my blood sugar regulated, I’ve also found another surprising way that gets the job done…
Pro Tip #4 – Taking the Right Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
Scientific research has proven that there are several compounds out there that can help you in your fight against high blood sugar. While you’ll get most of these with a healthy diet, taking them in supplement form can ensure you get an extra boost when you need it the most.
I’ve evaluated a number of supplements and the following three have given me personally the most benefit:
- Magnesium – There’s a documented link between Magnesium and blood sugar, with ~35% of diabetes patients having a Magnesium deficiency.
- Vitamin D – As with Magnesium, many people with diabetes also have a deficiency of Vitamin D. Supplements are believed to help with insulin production.
- Chromium Picolinate – This compound has been shown to improve how your insulin works against blood sugar and assist with weight loss as well.
Those three supplements are a good, inexpensive way to add another layer of blood sugar protection, but they’re best used in conjunction with the other methods.
If you’ve been worrying about your blood sugar, now is the time to act. Follow my simple pro tips and you’ll soon be feeling great again!
And if you still find it difficult to fight cravings, then I recommend you…