High Blood Sugar Levels

Pistachios contain the skin enriching nutrients vitamins A, C and E plus, zinc and folic acid. Yet, new research from University of Toronto’s Department of Nutritional Sciences could add pistachios to a growing list of acne therapies that already includes benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics.

The study’s observations revealed that pistachios could help regulate the body’s blood sugar levels.

In addition to a diabetic therapy, pistachio’s effect on the body’s blood sugar levels also marks it as a potential acne preventative. Biological traits characterizing acne onset include improper skin cell shedding, inflammation and excess bacteria. However, because of a pistachio’s effect on blood sugar levels, this nut could prevent acne resulting from excess facial oil secretion caused by a rise in circulating androgens.

Thus, pistachios could inhibit acne lesions induced by a condition called “insulin resistance”.

The relationship between acne and insulin resistance

The pancreas secretes the hormone insulin. The body needs insulin to access its primary energy source- blood sugar (glucose). Insulin attaches to key receptors in the blood to free glucose as the body requires more energy.

Insulin resistance arises when the normal amount of insulin the pancreas secretes proves insufficient to signal the release of glucose. So, to compensate, the pancreas secretes more insulin in order to free the needed glucose.

Insulin resistance can cause acne lesions due to increased circulating androgens. Now, the Toronto study’s findings suggest that pistachios can curtail androgen surges caused by blood sugar fluctuations.

Pistachios act as a blood sugar regulator

Dr. Cyril Kendall, lead researcher of the study explained, “?Our preliminary findings demonstrate that suppressing the glycemic (blood sugar) response of high carbohydrate foods may be part of the mechanism by which pistachios contribute to cardiovascular health and to the prevention and control of diabetes.”

Other scientists like Loren Cordain, PhD have noticed a link between insulin resistance and acne. In his work, “Implications for the Role of Diet in Acne”, Cordain writes, “Dietary interventions using low glycemic load carbohydrate may have therapeutic potential in the treatment of acne because of the beneficial endocrine effects these diets possess.”

Most acne treatments typically act on one or two symptoms such as surplus bacteria or clogged pores. Supplementing a diet with pistachios could help create a more robust acne therapy by also counteracting blood sugar shifts that produce excess oils and pimples.

Sources:

Cordain, Lorent. Implications for the Role of Diet in Acne. Semin Cutan Med Surg; 2005, vol 24, pp 84-91.

Eating Pistachios May Reduce the Impact of Carbohydrates on Blood Sugar Levels. Henson Consulting; Newswise. May 1, 2007.

Wijeyaratne, Chandrika N, Adam H Balen, Julian H Barth, Paul E Belchetz. Clinical manifestations and insulin resistance (IR) in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among South Asians and Caucasians: is there a difference? Clinical Endocrinology; September 2002, vol 57, no 3, pp 343-350.

Copyright (c) 2007 Naweko Nicole Dial

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Blood sugar provides the body with energy that your body needs to function properly and that is the reason why blood sugar is so important for all of us. Inside of every ones blood, there are sugar levels that need to be at certain amounts each day and all day. Hypoglycemia can affect seriously your daily routine.

Keeping your blood sugar levels nice and steady throughout the day is the key to long- term healthy life. Sometimes the easiest way to monitor your blood sugar is to stop and reflect on how you are feeling at that particular moment and then check your blood.

Low blood sugar is the typical cause for Hyperglycemia. It is a good idea to have a blood sugar monitor if you are diabetic. The level of blood sugar control predicts the onset and severity of diabetes related complications for both types of diabetes. You can pick up blood sugar monitors that give you instant notification of your blood sugar level.

The most common blood sugar testing supplies used are; meters, lancets and strips. You have probably heard of the glycemic index (GI) which rates carbohydrate food for its effect on blood sugar levels.

When blood sugar levels drop, you may feel your heart beat rapidly and a tingling in your skin, you may feel anxious, shaky, sweaty and hungry as well.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from low blood sugar (Hypoglycaemia).

Zinc (Pyridoxine)

Zinc helps blood sugar get into the cells and helps insulin to work better; magnesium also makes the insulin work better and can lower your risk of diabetes complications such as blindness and heart attack; selenium, copper and manganese all have a protective cellular function when blood glucose levels are high and selenium can assist with lowering blood sugar.

Copper (Picolinate)

Copper helps prevent diabetes-related damage to blood vessels and nerves, and lowers blood sugar levels by helping protect the cells in the pancreas that make insulin healthy.

Vitamins - C, B and E

Vitamin C and vitamin E help get sugar out of the blood stream and into the cells, keeps the blood vessels healthy and help protect against kidney damage and heart attack.

Vitamin E may improve the body’s response to insulin. Biotin (a B group vitamin) can lower blood glucose; B6 and B12 along with Folic acid also may help prevent diabetic complications.

The vitamins from the B complex are useful in the treatment of diabetes because they reduce the cholesterol and blood fat.

If you can keep, your blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal, you can live a normal and healthy life with few or even no complications at all.