If you’re diabetic, blood sugar levels below 70mg/dl are considered hypoglycemia. If you’re not a diabetic, blood sugar levels below 50mg/dl are considered hypoglycemia.
There are many types of hypoglycemia.
• Idiopathic hypoglycemic: unknown cause
• Idiopathic postprandial hypoglycemic: symptoms of hypoglycemia without low blood sugars
• Adrenal-related hypoglycemia: hypoglycemia due to abnormal adrenal function
• Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia: related to high insulin
Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is the most common form of hypoglycemia.
Hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia may be caused by:
• Insulin injections
• Tumors
• Autoimmune disease
• Drugs
• Genetics
However, the most common cause of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia is really excessive carbohydrate consumption, which causes inulin resistance.
High carbs will boost your blood glucose, which will trigger a huge spike in insulin.
Over time, your body tries to protect itself from insulin by developing insulin resistance. This is where the insulin receptors in your cells become resistant to insulin molecules.
In turn, your insulin level rises even more. This cycle continues until you stop spiking your insulin with carbohydrates.
Eventually, your pancreas will wear out and produce far less insulin, which causes high blood sugar, which turns into pre-diabetes and diabetes.
Dr. Eric Berg
08/31/2023
