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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Having diabetes myself, I know what the symptoms of low blood sugar can be like. Often times it feels like you have no control of your body and you can’t figure out what or why is happening. Let’s take a closer look at the symptoms of low blood sugar, and how it can affect your health.

Did you know that many people have symptoms of low blood sugar, yet don’t know it? Think of how many times you’ve felt tired and worn out between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM? It’s a tell tale sign of low blood sugar. Here is how most people handle it. When they begin to feel a tired and worn down, or maybe even depressed and irritable, they will usually down a soda, some coffee, or eat a sweet snack of some kind. Boom, now all of a sudden they feel like they have been re-energized. Well, it’s caused by a spike in their blood sugar.

So, what’s the problem with that? While this may appear to be normal for a lot of folks, it is not normal. The reason for the tiredness at lunchtime is because of your diet. Most likely, you ate a high carbohydrate, high sugar, high starch breakfast. Next, the lack of energy at 3:00 PM is from the same type of lunch you ate. Can you see how this is just a vicious cycle? It’s a roller coaster ride that you need to get off of in order to maintain your health.

Are you a smoker? Are you aware that smoking cigarettes will create a rise in your blood sugar level? It’s due to the nicotine in the cigarette mixing together with the adrenal system. When this happens, blood sugar levels go higher.

The symptoms of low blood sugar can last all day and evening. Keep track or what happens when you eat a sweet snack, or drink a cup of coffee, etc. You’ll notice your energy level immediately rising. But, it doesn’t last long, maybe an hour or so tops. This is why you see people who drink 10 cups of coffee a day, or are constantly drinking soda all day, or have to smoke a cigarette every hour.

We all know that coffee, soda, tea, etc., contain sugar, but they also contain caffeine. The two of these ingredients can be brutal to our bodies health structure. Our blood sugar goes up at the expense of our liver glycogen. It depletes liver glycogen levels, while the lack of proper nutrition doesn’t replenish it. This is just one of the many reasons why a proper diet is so important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Spotting the symptoms of low blood sugar isn’t difficult when you know what to look for. Here’s another good example. The early mornings are usually the absolute worst times for your blood sugar level. It’s due to them being at there lowest levels. Have you known people who were so irritable in the morning that you didn’t even want to speak to them until they had their cup of coffee, or ate breakfast? You can also take note that the vast majority of marital spats happen during the morning hours. Why is that?

Because of low blood sugar. Now, give these same people 2 cups of coffee, or a nice breakfast, and notice what happens. It’s like they are completely different. Their personality changes and they are happy. They have energy to go tackle the day. Most of all, you’ll notice that often times they will forget the fact that they just hurt your feelings earlier. It’s like Jekyll and Hyde.

When you notice your loved one having the symptom of low blood sugar, keep an eye on it. It could be due to having pre-diabetes, or even from being a diabetic and not being aware of it. Have them see their doctor and get checked out. Having your blood glucose tested only takes a second, and it’s a simple test. Don’t let the symptoms of low blood sugar take control of your health.

Copyright 2006 - Terry Edwards. All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active and do not edit the article in any way.