Hyperglycemia is disastrous. Blood sugar levels are on the rise because more people are on high-fat, high-sugar diets. With life being busier than ever, there’s little time for us to bother about what we eat. Nonetheless, we have to stop our blood sugar from spiking. The good news is that we can prevent hyperglycemia with a well-planned, 10-day blood sugar detox.
The Dangers of High Blood Sugar Levels
Hyperglycemia may produce unwanted short and long-term effects.
1. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
First of all is DKA, a life-threatening blood chemical imbalance that happens when our cells don’t get enough sugar. It occurs when the body doesn’t receive enough insulin. It thus releases compounds called ketones into the bloodstream.
People with Type 1 diabetes tend to develop this condition. It may leave them dehydrated. Its symptoms include a fruity breath odor, abdominal pain, deep breathing, and loss of appetite, confusion, and difficulty staying awake.
2. Damage to Blood Vessels
Macrovascular disease (damage to the large blood vessels) Is a complication that occurs because of high blood sugar levels. It leads to plaque buildup, coronary disease, and heart attacks. Microvascular disease (damage to the capillaries) is another condition associated with high blood sugar levels. It can lead to kidney disease and nerve problems.
3. Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic Neuropathy can block nerve impulses in the organs, arms, legs and other body parts. It can also rupture your internal organs, cause numbness, and possibly paralysis.
Signs that you need a blood sugar detox
How would you know that you need a detox from sugar? You will experience the following symptoms.
1. Constant Thirst
First of all, you’ll find that you’re always thirsty. If you’re ever reaching for a drink, visiting the toilet, or have a consistently dry mouth, you might have excess blood sugar.
According to endocrine experts like Noah Bloomgarden, you become thirsty because high blood sugar causes the kidneys to produce more urine than usual. Therefore, they can’t keep up. This condition, called polyuria, leaves you dehydrated.
2. Recurring Infections
You’ll also have colds and coughs that occur repeatedly. Infections that never seem to heal are a sign of hyperglycemia. Constant coughs and diseases are a top symptom of hyperglycemia and high diabetes, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
3. Wounds that don’t heal
Do you have cuts and scratches that don’t seem to stop bleeding? If you experience other symptoms on this list, you may have to check your blood sugar levels. Blood glucose hardens the arteries and hampers circulation. Consequently, wounds fail to close.
4. Lack of Concentration
Another sign that you need a 10-day blood sugar detox is the inability to focus. Are you finding it hard to concentrate on your tasks? According to this study, high blood sugar may affect your brain’s functional connectivity.
5. Blurred Vision
Do the things around you look fuzzy? Your poor vision may mean that you have hyperglycemia. The American Optometric Association says that Diabetic Rhinopathy is controllable with low blood sugar levels.
6. Impotence
Moreover, you may have a decreased interest in sex. If you find that you aren’t up to it as you were before, you may have hyperglycemia. The Brady Urological Institute has found that too much sugar is a cause of diabetes in men.
7. Skin Problems
Finally, you may have skin that’s dehydrated. Get rid of sugar if your skin lacks moisture. According to this study, high blood sugar may cause acne as well.
A 10-day blood sugar detox
As you know, sugar is incredibly addictive. It’s almost as addictive as heroin. A look at recent obesity rates will show how serious the problem is. The good news is that people are increasingly aware that sugar is damaging. Tuy this 10-day plan will help you detox your blood from the excess sugar.
1. Decide to get rid of sugar
Becoming free of sugar begins with a decision to detoxify. If you have diabetes or have belly fat, you probably need a few rounds of detoxification. Getting rid of sugar is also necessary if you have high triglycerides (fat) levels.
Furthermore, you’ll probably need to consider cutting down on sugar if you have food addictions. If you have withdrawal symptoms from avoiding chocolate, you’ll need to say goodbye to sugar.
2. Stop The Addiction Completely
Also, there’s no way to stop an addiction to a substance but to quit it altogether. To end your sugar rushes, avoid chocolates, sweets, ice cream and carbohydrates (these are complex sugars).
3. Avoid sugared drinks
Sugared drinks are potent calorie sources. These drinks prevent your liver from storing fat. Consequently, you become addicted to sugar and carbs. Sodas, juices and other sweetened drinks are full of calories. A single ounce of soda has 15 teaspoons of calories.
4. Replace sugar with protein
Moreover, protein is the key to balancing blood sugar and insulin. It also stops sugar rushes. Nuts, seeds, eggs, chicken, and fish are potent sources of protein.
5. Eat the right carbohydrates
Surprise- stock up on carbohydrates. Of course, we mean the right ones. Vegetables, mainly broccoli-type greens (kale, cauliflower, zucchini, eggplant, and artichokes) are sources of such carbohydrates. Conversely, avoid potatoes.
6. Get Fat
No, not the kind you find in greasy hamburgers. Good fat from salmon and other types of fatty fish will fill you up and balance your blood sugar. Nuts, coconut butter, and avocados and extra virgin olive oil have beneficial fat.
7. Avoid food emergencies
Moreover, you don’t want to have sudden food cravings in places where temptation abounds. Places where junk food and convenience stores reign supreme are where food disasters happen.
Have a food pack ready. It should contain good fat, proteins, and the right carbohydrates. And not all snacks are unhealthy. Salmon jerky, almonds, walnuts, and blueberries will satisfy your hunger pangs.
8. Get rid of stress
Are you stressed? De-stress. Stress compounds your cortisol levels. This hormone causes belly fat storage and leads to diabetes. To de-stress, take deep breaths. Breathing triggers the vagus nerve, which increases your metabolism and burns fat. Consequently, you become less stressed.
9. Stop inflammation
Another way to prevent sugar rushes is to stop inflammation. Sugar and trans fat trigger food sensitivities. Gluten and dairy do as well. Cut these foods out, and watch your cravings disappear.
10. Get some sleep
Finally, not getting enough sleep drums up your appetite. Sleep deprivation leads to a lowering of appetite-suppressing hormones.
In all, control hyperglycemia with a 10-day blood sugar detox, and improve your well-being.
