Blood sugar spikes are the primary reason for type 2 diabetes, one of the most common health problems worldwide. According to a research report released by International Diabetes Federation (IDF) in 2021, around 537 million adults suffer from diabetes. Blood sugar spikes can cause hundreds of other minor and severe diseases if not controlled. Therefore, it is important to cure it timely. This blog will explore factors that stimulate blood sugar spikes and how to control them effectively.
What Is Blood Sugar Spike and Why Does It Occur?
A blood sugar spike is a condition in which the sugar level suddenly rises and then lowers after eating a meal. The following factors can be the root cause of blood sugar spikes.
Diet
Food items having excessive sugar as an ingredient can be harmful to diabetic patients. Such meals instantly increase blood sugar levels which trigger blood sugar spikes. A nutritionist can help you make a healthy diet plan with low carbs.
Lack of Physical Activity
In a sedentary lifestyle, it becomes difficult to burn calories. People who are involved in sitting jobs and don’t have any physical activity are more likely to suffer blood sugar spikes. People in such positions should regularly walk to compensate for their sitting hours.
Smoking
People who smoke can also be the victim of blood sugar spikes because it becomes difficult to control blood sugar levels in smoking addicts. Nicotine keeps blood sugar levels higher, which causes blood sugar spikes. Therefore, frequent cigarette smokers who have diabetes have to take large doses of insulin to control their blood sugar levels.
Stress
During stress, due to the release of certain hormones by the body, the bloodstream is affected by stored energy, which increases blood sugar levels. Different sorts of physical and mental stresses can also trigger blood sugar spikes, such as emotional stress or a physical injury or wound that causes pain. Stress reliever practices such as yoga can be helpful in this regard.
Sleep
Many people today have disrupted sleep patterns due to the fast-paced nature of life in the 21st century. Staying up late for social events is common, but this can negatively affect health. The saying "early to bed, early to rise" holds true when it comes to maintaining good health, wealth, and wisdom. A regular sleep schedule is vital for diabetic patients to regulate blood sugar levels. Both oversleeping and not getting enough sleep can cause blood sugar spikes.
Medication Side Effects
Medicines should always be taken on a doctor's advice who knows your previous medical record because self-medication can harm health. Medication for high blood pressure, antidepressants, and sleeping pills can affect blood sugar levels and trigger blood sugar spikes.
Alcohol
Alcoholic drinks, as well as soft drinks, usually contain more than enough sugar. Therefore, frequent and excessive drinking can also cause blood sugar spikes.
Some other factors that can be the reason behind increased blood sugar levels are as follows.
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- History of Gestational Diabetes
- Significant Emotional Stress
What are the Symptoms of High Blood Sugar?
Understanding the symptoms of hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar can help you manage your diabetes and prevent blood sugar spikes. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and may not always be immediately obvious. However, it is important for diabetic patients to regularly check their sugar levels to prevent worsening symptoms. By knowing the signs of high blood sugar, you can take steps to keep your diabetes under control.
Some of the major symptoms of blood sugar spikes are listed below.
- frequent urination
- fatigue
- increased thirst
- blurred vision
- headache
Impacts of Blood Sugar Spikes on Human Health
If high blood sugar is not properly managed, it can lead to complications such as:
-
Nerve damage - Persistently elevated blood sugar levels can cause diabetic neuropathy, often known as nerve damage.
-
Eye problems - The eye problems that blood sugar spikes can cause include damage to the retina and optic nerve. Also, blurred vision and blindness are possible harms.
-
Kidney problems - The kidney function of filtering body waste stops due to a kidney disease known as Diabetic nephropathy. Long-term high blood sugar levels cause this.
- Possible risks of cardiovascular disease - Untreated blood sugar spikes can also result in severe cardiovascular diseases such as strokes and cardiac arrest.
12 Effective Ways to Control Blood Sugar and Stay Healthy
High blood sugar and blood sugar spikes can be potentially dangerous if not properly treated. The cure to prevent blood sugar spikes does include, not only medication, but also a healthy diet with a proper schedule, workout, and following precautions. You can effectively control your blood sugar levels by following the guidelines below.
Low-Carbs Diet Plan
Carbohydrates, also known as carbs, enter your body, broken down into simple sugar, which later enters your bloodstream. In this way, the sugar level rises, and the pancreas releases a hormone called insulin which absorbs the sugar, keeps your blood sugar controlled, and prevents blood sugar spikes. Lowering the number of carbs makes keeping your blood sugar levels regular easier. It also contributes to weight loss which is good for helping control blood sugar levels.
Reduce Eating Refined Carbs
Refined carbs, also known as processed carbs or refined grains, are typically found in foods like white bread, white rice, candy, and desserts. These foods have little nutritional value and are high in fat and calories. They have a high glycemic index, which means they are easily digested and can cause a person to feel hungry again soon after eating. As a result, overeating and weight gain take place, which ultimately causes blood sugar spikes. Therefore, you must reduce the intake of refined or processed carbs.
Lower Your Sugar Consumption
Diabetic patients should be mindful of their intake of table sugar, as it is essentially empty calories and has been linked to insulin resistance. Consuming large amounts of processed sugar can decrease the body's ability to produce insulin, causing blood sugar spikes. Minimizing or eliminating table sugar in your diet is essential to help prevent spikes and control blood sugar levels.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can be crucial in managing blood sugar and potentially reducing the risk of obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes. While the exact relationship between weight and blood sugar is not fully understood, research has shown that losing as little as 13 pounds over weeks can improve blood sugar levels in 87% of people. One way to maintain healthy blood sugar levels is to maintain a healthy weight through a proper diet and regular exercise.
Regular Exercise
Both regular exercise and yoga effectively promote a healthy and productive lifestyle. They can help alleviate various health issues, including headaches, stress, and depression. Similarly, it is fruitful for controlling blood sugar levels. It makes the muscle cells absorb sugar from the blood, lowering the blood sugar levels.
Both high-intensity and moderate-intensity exercises are effective for reducing blood sugar spikes. In addition, the research shows that exercising before breakfast works more promptly than exercising after breakfast. Furthermore, daily exercise is directly proportional to a healthy weight.
Consume More Soluble Fibers
Fibers can be divided into two categories, i.e., soluble and insoluble. Soluble fibers can steadily help lower and control your blood sugar levels. When it enters the body, it makes a gel-like substance with water that slows down the absorption of carbs which eventually helps cells produce more insulin and controls the blood sugar level.
Fibers are made up of plants that are indigestible to the human body, and this characteristic helps the fibers carry out the whole process. Hence, the intake of more fiber helps prevent blood sugar spikes.
Sufficient Water Intake
Proper hydration can help prevent blood sugar spikes. People need to drink enough water each day to stay healthy. When the body doesn't get enough water, the kidneys don't work as they should. Improper hydration can make it hard to get rid of excess sugar through peeing. Also, when the body is dehydrated, the liver makes more sugar, and this can cause blood sugar levels to go up. Talking to a doctor or another medical professional is a good idea to determine how much water suits you based on your specific health needs. Generally, people are often advised to drink at least one liter (about four cups) of water daily.
Chromium and Magnesium: What is it?
Chromium is a mineral taken in small amounts but efficiently controls blood sugar spikes. It absorbs the extra sugar from the blood and helps maintain blood sugar levels. According to research, it reduces up to 20% of sugar from white bread and other carbs. Some food sources rich in chromium are egg yolk, shellfish, tomatoes, and Brazil nuts.
Magnesium is another mineral that helps prevent blood sugar spikes. Magnesium supplements are readily available in stores and can be taken on doctor's recommendations for improved blood sugar levels. Some rich magnesium sources are dry fruits like almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc., and spinach.
Check Out Berberine – Does It Work?
Berberine is a Chinese cholesterol, weight loss, and blood sugar control medicine. Berberine is a chemical found in plants. Although it is considered safe, a study shows it may have side effects for some people. Therefore, you need to take your doctor's advice before using it to treat blood sugar spikes.
Olexium Glucose Control
Olexium Glucose Control is a proprietary formula containing specialized plant-based bio-actives from S. Chinensis. It is a clinically proven supplement used to help reduce spikes in glucose and help keep blood sugar in a normal range. It has a unique effect on carbohydrate digestion. This proprietary formulation, including DNA fingerprinting, is thoroughly tested to characterize and verify the active ingredients and their biological activity.
Olexium Glucose Control and Fat Burner
Like Olexium Glucose Control, Olexium Glucose Control and Fat Burner contain additional bio-actives with added benefits. Each capsule burns 101 calories and reduces appetite and the desire to snack. Cortisol increases your appetite. Elevated cortisol levels can cause cravings for sweet, fatty, and salty foods. Additionally, chronic stress can lead to appetite-stimulating hormones. Olexium Glucose Control and Fat burner reduces cortisol levels by up to 50 percent and reduces stress by up to 43 percent. Over a 12-week study, Olexium Glucose Control and Fat burner supplementation decreased fat mass by 6.68 percent, measured by a DEXA scan. Olexium Glucose Control and Fat Burner is a clinically proven solution to help support healthy glucose levels and weight management.
Final Note
It is estimated that about 35% of people with diabetes are unaware that they have the condition. This can be a serious problem because high blood sugar levels can cause significant damage to the body over time. If blood sugar spikes are not identified and addressed early on, the condition may progress to a more serious stage.
To avoid this, it is important for both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals to manage their diet, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and seek regular medical checkups. Simple changes to your diet, regular exercise, and timely medication can help to prevent blood sugar spikes and lower the risk of related health complications.