From: rothmund@peanuts.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de (Baerbel Rothmund)
Subject: RE: hypoglycemia
Organization: "Lehrstuhl fuer Technische Informatik, Uni Tuebingen"
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 92 12:09:34 GMT

Here is another article I got by email. Since it seems to be of interest to other
people too, I'll post it to the newsgroup:

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Date: Wed, 9 Sep 92 15:15:06 EDT
From: wheeler@super.org (Ferrell S. Wheeler)
Message-Id: <9209091915.AA15832@super.super.org>
To: rothmund@peanuts.informatik.uni-tuebingen.de
Subject: Re: hypoglycemia
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition
Organization: Supercomputing Research Center (Bowie, MD)
Cc: 


HYPOGLYCEMIA AND DIET

* What is Hypoglycemia?
     Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, is a relatively rare
condition. The symptoms include shakiness, weakness, faintness, headaches,
mental dullness, and confusion. Such symptoms can be caused by any number
of other problems, including stress. The only way to diagnose hypoglycemia
is through a glucose tolerance test~the same type of test used to diagnose
diabetes.

* Effects of Hypoglycemia
     Glucose is a type of sugar found in the blood. Eating a meal causes blood
glucose levels to rise. Normally, as levels of glucose in the blood
increase, the pancreas produces insulin. The insulin causes body cells to
absorb the glucose and a gradual drop in the blood sugar level results. In
a person with hypoglycemia, the body produces too much insulin in the
presence of glucose. This causes a sudden drop in the blood sugar level.

* The High-Protein Myth
     Doctors used to recommend eating sugar-restricted, high-protein meals four
or more times a day to help control hypoglycemia. But such treatment may
actually impair glucose tolerance in patients.1 The main sources of protein
for many individuals, animal products, are also high in fat which can
contribute to the development of diabetes2,3 as well as numerous other health
problems, from heart disease to breast cancer.

* Hypoglycemia and Diet
     The best way to control hypoglycemia is through a diet similar to that
used to control diabetes mellitus: a reduction in simple sugars, a large
intake of complex carbohydrates, and frequent feedings. Candy, sodas, and
even fruit juices (which manufacturers often sweeten with lots of sugar) are
all high in sugar and should be avoided. Foods that are high in soluble
dietary fiber slow carbohydrate absorption and help to prevent swings in
blood sugar levels. For some, fruits may also be a good addition as
fructose~the natural sugar in most fruits~does not require insulin to be
absorbed into the body cells.
     Also advised is an increase in meal frequency. Eating more than three
meals per day helps to maintain blood sugar levels and to prevent the onset
of hypoglycemic symptoms. The menu below is a one-day meal plan that puts
these hypoglycemia guidelines into action.
Breakfast

 1 cup of hot whole grain cereal like oatmeal, oatbran, or Wheetena
 1 slice of whole grain bread
 1 piece of fruit

Snack

 1 slice of slice of whole grain bread
 carrot and celery sticks

Lunch

 Salad with raw vegetables, beans (chickpeas, kidney beans, etc.), sunflower
seeds, and a non-fat dressing
 1 slice whole grain bread
 1 piece of fruit

Snack

 4 crackers (preferably whole wheat)
 1 piece of fruit

Dinner

 1 cup brown rice, pasta, bulgur, or 1 large baked potato
 1/2 cup beans or tofu
 1 to 2 cups cooked vegetables

Snack

 2 cups plain popcorn
 1 piece fruit

References:

1. Anderson JW, Herman RH. Effects of carbohydrate restriction on glucose
tolerance of normal men and reactive hypoglycemic patients. Am J Clin Nurt
1975;28:748.
2. Hindsworth H. The physiological activation of insulin. Clin Sci 1933;1:1.
3. Anderson J. Update on HCF diet results. HCF Newsletter 4: June 1982,
Lexington, KY.

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
P.O. Box 6322
Washington, DC 20015
(202) 686-2210
----------------------------------------


Finally I want to beg you a favour which is not meant to offend anybody:
Please don't answer to this posting by email because 1st my mailbox is starting
to flood over, and 2nd other people then can't take advantage of such basic 
information. Thank you.

Baerbel
Newsgroups: sci.med.nutrition,rec.food.veg