Medication plays a huge role in your blood sugar balancing. It prevents the body from utilizing glucose from the foods we eat efficiently and effectively.
You may be carefully monitoring your food intake, but if you're taking medication regularly, it could be raising your blood sugar levels- causing weight gain and inflammation.
Common Medications Raising your Blood Sugar
Lipitor, Lescol, Lipostat, and Crestor- statins for managing high cholesterol and diabetes
- Pseudoephedrine- a decongestants to treat allergy and cold symptoms
- Prednisone- a steroid to treat rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and COPD
- Atenolol and metoprolol- beta-blockers for high blood pressure
- Luvox and Remeron- used to treat depression
- Gatifloxacin- an antibiotic for infection
Ways to Manage your Blood Sugar Level
Choose a savory breakfast. When we eat sweets first thing in the morning, even whole fruit, it sends our bodies into a blood sugar spike and hard to balance for the rest of the day. Opt for a protein such as eggs as your first meal.
Limit starchy vegetables and complex carbs. Avoid foods such as potatoes, breads, excessive fruit and any added sugar in the foods you eat that will send your body into a blood sugar spike.
Include fiber, healthy fats and protein in your daily diet. Carrots/ broccoli (fiber), avocado (healthy fat), eggs and wild caught salmon (protein) will help keep your blood sugar in check.
Drink Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). 10-minutes before a meal heavier in carbs, mix 1 Tbs. Vinegar with 8 ounces water and drink to help reduce the impending glucose spike from the carbs.
Exercise 1-3 hours after eating. Your blood sugar level is likely to be higher after eating. Once you have fully digested your meal, move your body to bring your blood sugar down. A simple 10 minute walk post meals will help.
Schedule lab work. We recommend always getting blood drawn and analyzed when taking medications regularly. It's important to know if you may be nutrient deficient or have any underlying health issues when taking specific medications.
Try Nutrisense. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is an important tool we recommend to all our clients. It's placed on the back of your arm and analyzes in real-time how your blood glucose levels respond to food, exercise, stress, and sleep. It's an efficient way to monitor your body's response to all lifestyle factors, foods and plays a key role in managing your health.
Managing your blood sugar is an essential part of improving your health and wellness. Be sure to speak to your doctor before altering your medication.
