Can i lower my glucose level

By reintroducing healthy bacteria in your intestines, probiotics may be able to help with inflammatory and metabolic issues. A clinical review found that daily probiotic use significantly decreased blood sugar.

The melon contains a blood sugar-lowering substance called charantin as well as polypeptide-p, which has insulin-like effects. In preliminary studies, bitter melon supplements helped reduce blood sugar in mice. Just make sure to talk to your doctor about this or any supplement before adding it to your diet.

Remember all that stuff about staying hydrated? Well, when you get really hot, that hydration goes out the window, and your blood sugar could rise. To avoid overheating and triggering a spike, do your best to stay cool when the temp is high.

What fun! Be sure to wear breathable fabrics, get blackout curtains to keep the heat and light out of your room, and turn on the AC or bust out the fan to keep the temp comfortably low. And by low, we mean a Goldilocks zone between 60 and 67 degrees, which will help you stay cool, sleep more soundly, and get more much-needed REM sleep. Speaking of sleep, not getting enough may directly relate to higher blood sugar.

A study found that patients who got four hours of sleep or less for three nights in a row had higher fatty acid levels in their blood. Usually, fatty acid levels naturally recede at night. Also, a lack of sleep tends to increase stress and cravings for sugary foods — both of which are bad for blood sugar. Getting at least seven hours a night will help regulate your hormones, fatty acids, and stress.

Try going to bed at the same time every night and putting screens away an hour before snooze time. A study found that dancing helped decrease blood glucose levels more effectively than walking or using conditioning machines. Translation: Boogying down to Lizzo is good for your health. We knew it! To be fair, the study found cycling and running to be slightly more effective than dancing in lowering blood sugar.

Though walking was the least effective, it did still reduce blood glucose. Just be careful not to do intense exercise midspike, which can be dangerous. To prevent future spikes, make time in your schedule to shake it to your favorite song or ride your bike. Any kind of movement will help keep your blood sugar in a safe zone, so pick whatever is most enjoyable and get moving. If you take insulin and you are experiencing a blood sugar spike, you may need additional short-acting insulin.

Staying on top of your numbers can help you avoid a spike or take care of one before it gets dangerous. Eating whole foods that are low in sugar and exercising regularly will help keep your blood sugar in check. This can be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes, but medications may also be necessary to keep blood sugar in a healthy range. It is important to note that a person does not need to achieve ideal body weight to benefit from losing 10—20 pounds and keeping it off.

Eating a healthful diet full of fruits and vegetables and getting enough exercise can help a person lose weight or maintain their currently healthy weight.

At most meals, a person should follow portion guidelines provided by a doctor or nutritionist. Overeating at a sitting can cause a spike in blood sugar. Although simple carbohydrates are typically associated with elevated blood sugar levels, all food causes blood sugar levels to rise. Careful control of portions can keep blood sugar levels more controlled. Exercise has many benefits for people with diabetes, including weight loss and increased insulin sensitivity.

Insulin is a hormone that helps people break down sugar in the body. People with diabetes either do not make enough or any insulin in their body or are resistant to the insulin the body does produce. Proper hydration is key to a healthful lifestyle. For people worried about lowering high blood sugar, it is crucial. Drinking enough water prevents dehydration and also helps the kidneys remove extra sugar from the body in the urine. Those looking to reduce blood sugar levels should reach for water and avoid all sugary drinks, such as fruit juice or soda, which may raise blood sugar levels instead.

People with diabetes should reduce alcohol intake to the equivalent of one drink per day for women and two for men unless other restrictions apply. Most people should attempt to gain nutrients from the foods they eat. However, supplements are often helpful for people who do not get enough of the nutrients from natural sources. Most doctors do not consider supplements as a treatment by themselves.

A person should consult their doctor before taking any supplement, as they may interfere with any prescribed medications. Stress has a significant impact on blood sugar levels. The body gives off stress hormones when under tension, and these hormones raise blood sugar levels.

Research shows that managing stress through meditation and exercise can also help to lower blood sugar levels. Sleep helps a person reduce the amount of sugar in their blood. Getting adequate sleep each night is an excellent way to help keep blood sugar levels at a normal level.

Blood sugar levels tend to surge in the early morning hours. In most people, insulin will tell the body what to do with the excess sugar, which keeps the blood sugar levels normal. Keeping blood sugars at target levels helps people with diabetes avoid serious complications from the disease. High blood sugar can cause many ill effects, which can be sudden, such as acid buildup in the bloodstream, or occur gradually over time. Over time, keeping blood sugar at unhealthful levels can damage small and large blood vessels in several organs and systems, leading to serious consequences, such as:.

There is a range of lifestyle interventions that can help a person struggling with high blood sugar to lower their glucose levels. Hyperglycemia is a term for high blood sugar levels. It can indicate diabetes and cause severe health problems without careful blood sugar management. A blood sugar chart can help a person know if their glucose levels are within a suitable range. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options.

Get the Insider App. Click here to learn more. A leading-edge research firm focused on digital transformation. Women's Health. Primary Care. Mental Health. More Button Icon Circle with three vertical dots. It indicates a way to see more nav menu items inside the site menu by triggering the side menu to open and close. Kelly Burch. To lower your blood sugar, it's important to exercise regularly and lose weight.

You should make sure to drink lots of water, eat less unhealthy carbohydrates, and increase your fiber intake. It's also important to manage stress if you want to lower blood sugar and keep it under control. This article was medically reviewed by Jason R. This story is part of Insider's guide to Diabetes.