High Blood Sugar, known as Hyperglycemia, is a major concern that most commonly affects people with both Type 1 & 2 Diabetes.  According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in every 3 Americans over age 20 is affected by Hyperglycemia.  Statistics show that 75% of Americans over age 45 with Hyperglycemia will develop some form of Diabetes.  A person has Hyperglycemia when his/her blood sugar level is over 180 mg/dl.  Fasting Hyperglycemia occurs when the person has not had anything to drink or eat for 8 hours or more, and After-Meal Hyperglycemia that can occur a couple hours after a big meal.  Having high blood sugar levels can actually damage your nerves, blood vessels, and your organs, and can often result in unexplained weight loss or weight gain.  

People with Hyperglycemia may experience frequent fatigue, hunger, or exhaustion.  Another common symptom is weight loss or weight gain because the body's cells aren't getting the glucose they need, and they burn muscle instead.  Symptoms will vary depending on the person, but here are common symptoms of Hyperglycemia: 

• Numbness, burning, or tingling in hands and feet 
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Headaches
• Increased thirst
• Weight loss or weight gain
• Blurred vision
• Vaginal or skin infections
• Intestinal problems such as diarrhea
• Slow-healing cuts

There are two primary reasons that a person will have Hyperglycemia.  The first cause is due to the fact that a person's body cannot produce enough insulin, which is known as Type 1 Diabetes.  The second cause is due to the fact that a person's body can't detect if insulin levels are correct, so the body can't properly process glucose.  This is known as Type 2 Diabetes.  While Type 1 & 2 Diabetes are the two primary causes of Hyperglycemia, there are other factors that can lead to a person having the condition.  These caues include:

• Skip your insulin or glucose-lowering medicine
• High stress levels
• Have an infection
• Sickness
• Eat too many carbohydrates
• Having genes that are linked to Diabetes
• Being overweight or inactive

• Drinking the proper amount of water can help keep your blood sugar levels balanced.  When you drink enough water to keep yourself hydrated, you avoid dehydration and help your kidneys flush out excess blood sugar via the urine.  One study showed that people who drank more water had a lower risk of developing High Blood Sugar.  You should drink about 8-10 8oz glasses of water each day to stay hydrated.  A better way to maintain proper hydration is to drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water.  If you weight 150lbs and divide that by 2 to get 75, you should be drinking 75oz of water per day. 
• Portion control plays a big role when it comes to lowering blood sugar.  When your portions aren't heaping plates of food, you can control your caloric intake, which promotes balanced blood sugar levels.  When you eat a big meal, your blood sugar levels can spike very easily, so limit your servings to a small bowl.  You should not eat a meal that is larger than both of your fists put together. 
• Eat foods that have a low glycemic index.  The amount and type of carbs will always affect blood sugar levels.  While you want to avoid a lot of carbs, you also need carbs in your diet.  Choose potatoes, oats, or legumes as opposed to bread, doughnuts, or pastas.  Great low glycemic foods to eat include sweet potatoes, lentils, corn, yams, beans, barley, oats, most fruits, and non-starchy vegetables.
• Make sure that you are getting enough sleep.  If you have a poor sleep schedule or don't get enough sleep, the body will use insulin less effectively.  Try to get at least 7-8 hours every night.  A lack of sleep can lead to higher stress levels, poor food choices, and imbalanced energy levels.
• Try to keep your stress levels down to regulate blood sugar levels.  Great stress relief techniques include meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, massages, sea salt soaks, or eating foods that are rich in magnesium.  Another popular stress relief therapy is acupuncture, which has been known to work wonders for people with high stress. 
• Apple cider vinegar is great natural remedy for After-Meal Hyperglycemia or Fasting Hyperglycemia.  Because apple cider vinegar can be strong to drink on its own, try mixing 1-2 tablespoons in 8-10oz of water.  Drink this solution once a day so that your body can have an improved response to sugar. 

• Fenugreek 
• Cinnamon
• Garlic
• Avocados
• Olives
• Flaxseeds & Flaxseed oil
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Seeds
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Broccoli
• Barley
• Tomatoes
• Legumes (lentils, black beans, or kidney beans)