Five Factors to Consider for Lower Blood Sugar

Lowering blood glucose and increasing ketone levels can be difficult even when following a strict ketogenic diet. Here are five factors to address that may help:

1. Mental stress: Excess emotional stress can increase levels of cortisol, a hormone which can increase blood glucose. Find ways to decrease emotional and mental stress: try yoga, prayer, meditation, art projects, or doing something that you love that absorbs your attention and takes your mind off of your health.

2. Dehydration: Dr Mike Eades writes that chronic dehydration can increase the concentration of sugar in the blood. Increase your intake of water throughout the day. Start with two glasses full in the morning, and at least two more during the day.

3. Systemic body inflammation: inflammation can cause blood sugar to rise, so take steps to reduce it. Eat salmon, tuna or other oily fish more often or take fish or krill oil to increase omega 3 fatty acid intake. Herbs such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, cloves, cardamom and others are anti-inflammatory. Google anti-inflammatory herbs for more information.

4. Vitamins, herbal supplements: These can have added sugars. Check labels. You may have to eliminate your supplements for several days while monitoring blood sugar. Then reintroduce them one at a time to determine which might be the source of hidden sugars.

5. Exercise: Moderate exercise can elevate blood sugar for a short time right after the exercise is stopped. However, it reduces baseline blood glucose and insulin levels in the long run. In contrast, vigorous exercise can raise blood glucose for longer periods due to a stress response.

I hope this has been helpful!

Until next time,