Blood sugar levels affect many of your body’s functions throughout the day. Having low or high levels of blood sugar can make you feel anything from shaky and anxious to tired and nauseous. Therefore, it’s important to learn what blood sugar is and how to manage it. Here we discuss what blood sugar is and ways you can support balanced levels.
Blood Sugar: What is it?
When you eat food, it gets broken down into sugar (or glucose) and then it releases into your bloodstream. Depending on how quickly or slowly this happens, it can raise your blood sugar levels steadily or spike them.
When your blood sugar rises, it tells your pancreas to release insulin. Typically, insulin turns blood sugar into stored energy. However, if you have insulin issues, your body might not work properly to do this.
Managing Blood Sugar Levels
There are many things you can do to monitor and manage blood sugar levels. These include:
Check your blood sugar
Monitoring your blood sugar can help you discover any issues you may have. Check your blood sugar when you’re fasting (typically when you wake up), prior to eating, two hours after eating, and before/after exercising. By keeping track of your blood sugar, you can determine whether you need to make simple lifestyle adjustments or if you have to go meet with your doctor for further assessment.
Eat foods with a low glycemic index
The glycemic index (GI) is a rating system that measures how food affects your blood sugar. It checks how quickly different foods break down during digestion. Foods on the low to moderate end of the GI break down slower, which helps keep levels balanced. These foods include beans, lentils, oats, whole wheat pasta, and non-starchy veggies.
Exercise often
Exercise increases insulin sensitivity. This means your insulin will be more sensitive to the sugars in your blood and work to convert them into energy. Exercise also helps your body and muscles use the sugars in your bloodstream for energy. This makes it a great tool for managing blood sugar levels.
Stay hydrated
Water helps flush out excess sugars from the kidneys. It’s also a great alternative to sugary drinks. And water doesn’t have to be plain and boring! If you want to make it more enticing, try adding lemons, cucumbers, or even try sparkling water.
Get some much-needed Zzz's
Without a good night’s sleep, your blood sugar levels may become imbalanced. Try the following to support restful sleep: avoid caffeine and alcohol at night, reduce screen time prior to bed, avoid long naps, especially late in the day, keep your bedroom cool, take a warm shower before bed, and follow the same sleep schedule daily.
Supporting Blood Sugar Levels
When your blood sugar levels are imbalanced, it can cause a range of nasty symptoms and you may not feel like yourself. From staying hydrated to eating a balanced diet, you’re doing your best to support your health and wellness. If you’re looking for a sidekick to support you on your wellness journey, KAL Blood Sugar Defense™ is formulated to provide nutritive support for healthy glucose metabolism. With a synergistic blend of alpha lipoic acid and cinnamon, Blood Sugar Defense™ may be the support you’ve been looking for.
