Blood sugar dysregulation affects all aspects of the human body including energy,
the integrity of the tissues of every organ and blood vessels, hormonal balance and brain health.
The primary organs of blood sugar regulation are the pancreas, adrenals and liver. Supporting these organs in their many functions and reducing the amount of sugars consumed daily are the cornerstones for balancing blood sugar. Never before in the history of mankind, have we had an emergency need to lower blood sugar.
In 1820 the average person consumed 10 pounds of sugar annually. That rose to 120 pounds in 1980 and as of 2005 it was a staggering 199 pounds per person. This definitely has impacted our health and explains the rise in diabetes and obesity. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is loaded with sugar in many forms. It is estimated that 85% of the products in the grocery store have some form of sugar. It really is important to learn to read the labels and find all that hidden sugar.
One easy way to avoid that is to eliminate processed foods from your diet. If you are preparing whole foods, you become aware of just how much sugar has been added. So where to start? First, become aware of how much sugar you are consuming and begin eliminating and switching to “better” sweeteners that cause less harm to your body. Our taste buds regenerate every seven days.
Once you detox from all the sugar, you will begin to notice the natural sweetness in foods and those once loved treats will seem way too sweet. When you feel you need something sweet, choose things like whole fruits and freshly squeezed juices with the pulp. This added fiber will slow down the digestion and better assimilate the sugars into your body. Sweeteners that make your body work a little harder to process and are easier on blood sugar regulation are black strap molasses, raw honey, raw maple syrup and stevia.
Once you have lowered the sugar, next work on balancing your diet. Every body is different and this proportion may not work for you but it is a good place to start. Aim for 40 percent carbohydrates (like fresh non-starchy vegetables and fruits), 30 percent healthy fats and 30 percent high quality proteins. If you still feel hungry thirty minutes after a meal, one of these categories is off for you. You may need to adjust one. Healthy fats help balance blood sugar and make you feel satiated. Fats have gotten a bad rap and are vital for good health. Hormones need fats to form and your brain requires them for optimal function. Don’t be afraid to consume healthy non- hydrogenated fats. Your body will thank you.
Now let’s look at supporting those organs of blood sugar regulation. Give your liver some love. This organ has over 500 functions in your body and it is constantly assaulted with all the toxins we encounter in our lives. You can support your liver by eating liver, drinking plenty of water, eating raw vegetables, and including foods like ginger root, sweet potatoes, dandelion root, milk thistle and beets into your diet. Avoiding alcohol, sugar, caffeine, pesticides in foods and environmental toxins will be a big help to your liver.
The next organ is the pancreas. This is probably the best-known organ in blood sugar regulation. Some foods that support the pancreas are garlic, spinach, broccoli, grapes, sweet potatoes, blueberries and yogurt.
Our final organs are the adrenal glands. These little babies control our flight or fight response and are governed ever so much by our stress levels. Finding ways to reduce stress is the number one way to support this very important blood sugar regulating organ.
Here is a recipe that is full of amazing foods to support your adrenal glands. A good idea is to make up this soup in advance and freeze it in single serve portions. Then on that day you are super stressed, pull out some soup and it will help heal the stress inflicted on your adrenals and you will also be surprised at how quickly it affects your energy level. Balancing your blood sugar affects your entire body. Invest some time in learning all the various forms of sugar and begin reading labels to help eliminate sugar. Combine that practice with eating nutrient dense whole foods in the right proportions for you and you will be on the right path to balanced blood sugar.
This is the famous adrenal fatigue recipe attributed originally to Dorothy S. Downey. It is high in minerals, calming, and alkalizing to your system.
1 16 oz. can green beans
1 cup chopped celery
1 medium zucchini, sliced
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup tomato juice
1 cup chicken broth
2 Tbsp. raw honey
1 Tsp. paprika
Combine ingredients and simmer for one hour until vegetables are tender.