Hypoglycemia
Approach
An effective treatment plan for hypoglycemia must examine the control of blood sugar levels. By encompassing lifestyle and dietary therapy, as well as botanical medicine, a holistic perspective is of considerable value. Results are best achieved by strengthening the health of the organs involved in diabetes. Herbal protocols support blood sugar control holistically through support of the pancreas, liver, and adrenal glands — the combined organs of blood sugar regulation. These herbs can naturally increase endogenous antioxidants, such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Thus, they can be of great benefit in treating retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy, the common secondary diabetic complications associated with free radical damage.
These herbs are not drugs that lower blood sugar; rather they are aimed at strengthening the related organs so that they function better and regulate blood sugar more effectively. The effects of herbs for Type II diabetes can usually be seen within 1 to 8 months. Although these herbs are most helpful for lowering high blood sugar levels, they are also helpful in patients with low blood sugar.
Lifestyle Counseling
Stress: Stress plays a role in improper carbohydrate metabolism. Stress causes cortisol levels to rise, which can lead to decreased utilization of blood glucose and increased obesity and reactive hypoglycemia. If stress is persistent, the adrenals can become fatigued, which is also a major contributor to hypoglycemia. Because the adrenal response is triggered by low blood glucose, hypoglycemia exacerbates adrenal fatigue, as do simple carbohydrates (especially sweets and alcohol) and stimulant consumption. Therefore, managing stress, avoiding all stimulants, and supporting the adrenals will improve hypoglycemia symptoms.
Liver Support and Detoxification: The liver also plays a role in glucose metabolism, responsible for converting stored glycogen to glucose if blood sugar drops too low. Therefore, liver support and detoxification may improve the tendency to hypoglycemia by strengthening the ability of the liver to respond to low blood sugar. Thus, reducing toxic load on the liver by eating pesticide free foods and by avoiding chemical exposures (including over medicating) can improve the stability of blood glucose levels.
Exercise: Exercise has a number of benefits in the management of hypoglycemia. Exercise balances blood glucose by optimizing glucose uptake at the cellular level. Therefore, hyperinsulinemia is less likely to develop in a fit person. In addition, regular exercise balances the stress hormones and supports the adrenals, both of which help to maintain balanced blood sugar.
Clinical Nutrition
Alpha-lipoic acid: This amino acid is manufactured by the body and can be found in the mitochondria. Lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and enhances the effectiveness of vitamin C and E, as well as sustaining blood sugar levels. It improves blood flow to peripheral nerves and may stimulate the regeneration of nerve fibers, which is very helpful to patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Hypoglycemic Nutraceuticals
These medicinal nutrients are also recommended for treatment of hypoglycemia. Again, chromium and vanadium are crucial, as well as alpha-lipoic acid.
| Name | Indications | Pharmacology | Dose |
| Chromium picolinate | Insulin resistance | Improves insulin efficiency, which lowers blood sugar levelsFacilitates glucose uptake into cells as part of “glucose tolerance factor” | 50-5000 mcg daily |
| Vanadium sulfate | Insulin resistance | Improves insulin efficiency, which lowers blood sugar levels | 200-800 mcg daily |
| Alpha-lipoic acid | Insulin resistanceDiabetic neuropathy | Decreases secondary glycosylationExcellent antioxidant | 300 –1000 mg daily |
| Pantothenic acid | Adrenal fatigue | Helps with adrenal support | 1 g daily |
| Vitamin B-12 | Neuropathy | Decreases diabetic neuropathy | 1000 mcg daily |
| Vitamin B-6 | Neuropathy | Decreases diabetic neuropathy | 50-100 mg daily |
| Taurine | Hypoinsulinemia | Aids in the release of insulin | 1-3 g daily |
| L-carnitine | Insulin resistance | Aids in mobilizing fat | 1-3 g daily |
| Grape seed extract | Complications due to poor microvascular circulation | Decreases secondary complications; excellent antioxidant | 200-800 grams daily |
| Quercitin | Cataracts | Aldose reductase inhibitor, antioxidant; decreases the accumulation of toxic polyols | 300 mg-1000 mg daily |
| Borage, evening primrose, flaxseed, fish oils | Dyslipidemia Neuropathy (EPO) | Help decrease blood sugar | 1 tablespoon a day |
| Niacinamide | Protects islet cells of the pancreas | Helps with DM Type I autoimmune process if taken within first 6 months of diagnosis | 25 mg per kg |
Botanical Medicine
Gymnema sylvestre: This herb, used in India for over 2000 years to treat diabetes, contains a compound called gymnemic acid that has been shown to support the beta cells. It is a good herbal remedy for both diabetes and hypoglycemia. By supporting pancreatic function, gymnema sylvestreis helpful for both high and low blood sugar.
Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng) and Panax ginseng: These adaptogenic botanicals are also very useful for sustaining healthy blood sugar levels. Adaptogens increase the body’s non-specific resistance to a whole range of physical, mental, and biological factors, allowing the body to deal with stress and adapt to change.
Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice root): This herb inhibits the half-life of cortisol by inhibiting its peripheral breakdown. Hypoglyemia is often associated with adrenocorticoid insufficiency or low cortisol levels, thus licorice is an excellent remedy for hypoglycemia because it helps to maintain cortisol levels.
Hypoglycemia Botanicals
These medicinal herbs are highly recommended for prevention and treatment of hypoglycemia.
| Herb/Nutrient | Action | Dose |
| Gymnema sylvestre(Gymnema, Gur-Mar) | Helps stabilize blood sugar | 1 g daily |
| Eleutherococcus senticosus(Siberian Ginseng) | Used in China for fatigue, weakness, depression, forgetfulness, and insomnia; known in the West for its adrenal and liver tonic properties | 2-4 g three times daily or 100-200 mg of a 1:20 extract (1% eleutherosides) |
| Glycyrrhiza glabra(Licorice root) | Prolongs the half-life of cortisol, thereby helping maintain consistency of blood glucose levelsAntistress and antifatigue properties | 1-2 g root three timesor 250-500mg extract twice dailyShould be used with caution in patients with high blood pressure |
| Oplopanax horridus(Devil’s club) | Adrenal tonic that has demonstrated a specific positive effect in achieving blood sugar balance | 1 g daily |
| Astragalus membranaceus(Chinese milk vetch) | Hypoglycemic | 2-6 g daily |
| Silybum marianum(Milk thistle) | Liver support | 70-210 mg silymarin three times daily |
Adaptogenic Botanicals
These herbs have adaptogenic properties that increase the body’s non-specific resistance to a whole range of physical, mental, and biological factors, allowing the body to deal with stress and adapt to change.
| Name | Indications | Pharmacology | Dose |
| Allium cepa(Onion) | HypoglycemicAntibacterialAntifungal | Competes with insulin for insulin degradation; increases half life of insulin | 5-30 drops of fluid extract twice daily |
| Momordica charantia(Bitter melon) | HypoglycemicAntibacterialAntifungal | Contains charantin (steroid) that decreases blood sugar; increases secretion and activity of insulin | 5-30 drops of fluid extract twice daily |
| Trigonella foenum graecum(Fenugreek) | Hypoglycemic Digestive stimulant | Stimulates pancreas to produce more insulin | 5-30 drops of fluid extract twice daily |
| Syzygium jambolana(Jambul seed) | HypoglycemicDigestive stimulantExcellent antioxidantHelps with diabetic secondary complications | Prevents conversion of starch and CHO into sugars; increases superoxide dismutase and glutathione levels | 5-30 GTT of fluid extract twice daily |
| Pterocarpus marsupium(Kino) | Hypoglycemic | Prevents toxin induced B cell damage on the pancreas; helps regeneration in the pancreas; might be contraindicated in hyperinsulinemia patients | 5-30 drops of fluid extract twice daily |
Clinical Studies: Botanical Combination for Hypoglycemia
One clinical trial using 650 mg of herbal capsules three times a day consisting off jambul seed, prickly pear cactus, devil’s club, milk thistle, and globe artichoke resulted in lowered fasting blood sugar levels by 33% in the majority of adult onset diabetics, while also raising blood sugar levels in patients with reactive hypoglycemia.
Hypoglycemic Score: Hypoglycemic patients were able to lower their hypoglycemic score index by 67% after 6 weeks administration of this formula. The hypoglycemic score is calculated by assigning a numerical value to the intensity and frequency of the following symptoms.
1. Dizziness when standing up suddenly
2. Loss of vision when standing suddenly
3. Craving sweets
4. Headaches relieved by eating sweets
5. Feeling shaky or jittery
6. Irritability if a meal is missed
7. Heart palpitations after eating sweets
8. Need to drink coffee to get started in the morning
9. Impatient, moody, nervous
10. Feeling faint
11. Forgetfulness
12. Calmer after eating
13. Poor concentration
Results: Since hypoglycemic patients often have a hard time coping with their hunger between meals when the blood sugar drops, they are likely to eat often. Most of the hypoglycemic patients who took herbs during the study had decreased appetite between meals; thus, patients were also able to lose weight. The study showed that herbs, when formulated holistically to address all the organs involved in blood sugar metabolism, not only are effective in addressing problems of high blood sugar but also problems of low blood sugar. Thus, it was shown that many of the herbs that were used traditionally to treat diabetes are also effective in treating low blood sugar levels, reinforcing the theory that some herbs have a regulating effect.
Conventional Allopathic Treatment
Conventional treatment for reactive hypoglycemia is limited because often it is not considered a real condition unless it meets a stricter definition of serious pathologies:
1. Alimentary hypoglycemia caused by previous gastrointestinal surgery and peptic ulcer disease.
2. Hormonal causes, such early onset of diabetes Type II, hyperthyroidism, cortisol, epinephrine, thyroid hormone, glucagon, and growth hormone deficiency.
3. Endocrine conditions, such as insulinoma, or insulin receptor autoantibodies.
Conventional treatment for these conditions would be dealt with by treating the underlying cause.
