What Is Hypoglycaemia? by Jane Thurnell-Read

Hypoglycaemia (also spelt hypoglycemia) or reactive hypoglycaemia makes many people's lives a misery as blood sugar swings lead to mood swings. But what is hypoglycaemia and what is the treatment for it?

The islets of Langerhans in the pancreas produce insulin. As blood-sugar levels rise, the insulin travels to the liver and the muscles instructing them to take glucose from the blood stream and to store it as glycogen. When blood-sugar levels start to drop, the pancreas releases glucagon. This stimulates the breakdown of the stores of glycogen and their release back into the bloodstream as glucose. The effects of glucagon and insulin are opposing: between them they are usually able to keep blood-sugar levels stable.

The liver releases a substance called glucose tolerance factor. This is thought to be composed of three amino acids (glycine, glutamic acid and cysteine), plus chromium and vitamin B3. This aids glucose uptake by the target cells.

Alcohol interferes with glycogen re-synthesis and lowers blood glucose levels in an unhealthy way.

The hormones adrenaline and the gluco-corticoids are released by the adrenal glands in response to stress. These also raise the blood-sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas and the liver.

If blood-sugar levels are low the hypothalamus is stimulated and hunger is experienced.

The ideal is for blood sugar levels to remain more or less constant with a slight peak after eating and dropping slightly as the person experiences hunger. When people are suffering from reactive hypoglycaemia they experience rapid rises in blood sugar following eating and then the blood sugar level drops rapidly. This usually results in symptoms such as mood swings, headaches, trembling, palpitations, sweating, excessive hunger, and craving for sweet foods. While eating foods high in sugar will often temporarily make you feel better, in the long run this makes the problem worse - the body continues to struggle to maintain stable blood sugar levels. Reactive hypoglycaemia will often develop as a result of a diet high in foods with a high glycaemic index. These enter the blood stream rapidly and can, over time, upset the insulin-glucagon balance.

There are various things you can do if you suffer from hypoglycaemia:

• Eating food with a low glycaemic index - this can be difficult at first, but usually you quickly feel the benefits in more stable moods, fewer headaches, etc.
• Reducing/ eliminating alcohol - alcohol gets into the blood stream quickly, but too quickly for good health
• Supplementing with amino acids, vitamin B3 and chromium - choose a supplement specifically designed to help with hypoglycaemia.
• Eating little and often - but make sure that this doesn't mean you eat more overall.
• Checking for food allergies - allergy reactions can lead to swings in blood sugar levels.
• Reducing stress levels.
• Many complementary therapists work to stabilise blood sugar and deal with hormone imbalances.