Endocrinology – Hypoglycemia: By Robyn Houlden M.D. [1a0706]
Post Time: 2025-07-29
When it comes to managing blood sugar levels, a well-balanced diet plays a crucial role. Among various food groups, vegetables are one of the most nutritious and effective options for keeping blood sugar in check. Here's how these superheroes can help.
Fiber-Rich Vegetables: The First Line of Defense Against Blood Sugar Spikes
Vegetables rich in fiber like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, artichokes, green peas, potatoes (with skin), corn (sweet and starchy types) are low on the glycemic index. They not only take longer to digest but also release their sugar content slowly into the bloodstream. This slow digestion process reduces blood sugar spikes and helps maintain a stable level throughout the day.
Dark Leafy Greens: The Blood Sugar Regulators
Vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens are not just rich in fiber; they're also packed with vitamins A, C, K1 (phylloquinone), E. These essential nutrients help regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity and increasing glucose uptake into the cells.
Starchy Vegetables: The Key to Balanced Blood Sugar
When it comes to starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, corn, peas and legumes such as lentils or chickpeas have a higher glycemic index compared to non-starchy ones. However, they are still considered low on the GI scale due to their lower starch content per serving size.
The Role of Color in Blood Sugar Regulation
Nature offers us a colorful array of vegetables each with its unique characteristics and health benefits. The variety is rich in essential nutrients including vitamins A (beta-carotene), E & K1, flavonoids like quercetin which play an important role as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Unlocking Their Blood Sugar Benefits
Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage. These contain a rich source of fiber that helps to control the absorption rate of glucose in your bloodstream thereby reducing blood sugar spikes & insulin resistance.
Sprouts for Healthier Blood Glucose Levels
The tiny but mighty vegetable sprout contains an enormous amount of nutrients including vitamins C and E (important antioxidants) as well as flavonoids like kaempferol which is involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels.
medskl.com is a global, free open access medical education (FOAMEd) how do i bring down my blood sugar quickly project covering the fundamentals of clinical medicine with animations, lectures and concise summaries. medskl.com is working with over 170 award-winning medical school professors to provide content in 200+ clinical presentations for use in the classroom and for physician CME. Endocrinology – Hypoglycemia Whiteboard Animation Transcript with Robyn Houlden, MD Hypoglycemia is a fact of life for most people with diabetes on glucose lowering medication. However, it is an uncommon clinical problem in other patients. There is no plasma glucose level that defines hypoglycemia. Instead, hypoglycemia is confirmed by documentation of Whipple’s Triad: Symptoms of hypoglycemia Low plasma glucose Symptom resolution when blood sugar side effects glucose administered Hypoglycemic disorders used to be classified as fasting or postprandial. However, a more useful classification is based on whether the patient is seemingly well or Ill. Causes in the ill patient include: drugs alcohol critical illness cortisol deficiency non-islet cell tumours Causes in the seemingly well patient include: insulinoma, functional β-cell disorders autoimmune hypoglycemia accidental, surreptitious or malicious ingestion of glucose lowering medication Always ask about neurogenic/autonomic symptoms such as tremor, palpitations, anxiety, sweating, hunger and tingling, and neuroglycopenic symptoms such as visual change, confusion, unusual behaviour, weakness, seizure, and coma. In the ill patient, ask about: an error with a glucose lowering medication medications with known risk of hypoglycemia alcohol addiction with periods of not eating hepatic, renal or cardiac failure; or sepsis, trauma or burns symptoms of adrenocortical insufficiency or malignancy In the seemingly well patient, ask about: timing and relationship to food frequency, duration episode prevention, treatment weight gain (eating to prevent hypoglycemia) blood glucose during an episode relatives with diabetes or access to antihyperglycemic agents at home or work a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) previous Roux-en-Y surgery In the ill patient: Draw plasma glucose during symptoms of hypoglycemia Review medications Assess hepatic, renal and cardiac function Investigate for adrenocortical insufficiency or nonislet cell tumour if suspected. In the seemingly well patient, if you are able to observe a spontaneous episode, measure plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, pro-insulin and beta-hydroxybutyrate. If you can’t observe a spontaneous episode, recreate the circumstances in which symptomatic hypoglycemia is likely to occur with a fast of up to 72 hours or after a mixed meal. With an insulinoma, most patients will experience hypoglycemia within 24 hours of fasting. Despite having a plasma glucose < 3 mmol/L, plasma insulin, C-peptide, and proinsulin levels will be inappropriately elevated. Insulinomas are rare tumours and most are benign, small and solitary. They should be localized through imaging, and surgically can apple cider vinegar help blood sugar removed. Remember that evaluation and management of hypoglycemia is recommended only when Whipple’s triad is documented. Choose investigations based on whether the patient appears seemingly well or ill.