Spot diabetes early with doctor's seven signs of high blood sugar on your face

A top doctor has warned about seven facial signs that could signal blood sugar woes. Taking to YouTube, Dr Eric Berg, DC, told his 12.6 million followers to watch out for these indicators.

The keto and fasting expert, who is the author of the bestselling book 'The Healthy Keto Plan', insists your face might just be the map to your internal health. "Looking at a person's face can give you so many clues about what's going on inside," he explained at the start of the clip.

Dr Berg then reflected on his transformation after facing his own weight loss battles. He said: "To show you what I mean, we're going to take a look at my own face before and after getting on the keto diet and doing intermittent fasting."

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He warns that high blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, can wreak havoc on your body. It can cause irreversible harm to vital organs and arteries, not to mention upping the risk of heart disease and potentially fatal conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis if ignored.

Early signs of high blood sugar include excessive thirst, frequent trips to the toilet, , and blurry vision. If left unchecked, symptoms can escalate to extreme tiredness, weight loss, yeast infections, and difficulty healing from wounds.

To monitor high blood sugar, doctors may recommend testing for ketones in the blood or urine, as high levels can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. Dr. Berg claims he managed to control his blood sugar levels by adopting a keto diet and incorporating intermittent fasting into his routine, reports .

The keto diet is a high-fat, low-carb regimen that promotes weight loss, improves metabolic health, and boosts energy. It focusses on fat, some protein and hardly any carbs.

Meat, seafood, dairy, eggs, nuts, fats, oils, and some veggies that grow above ground are among the foods that can be found in keto-approved fridges and pantries. Meanwhile, intermittent fasting involves alternating between eating and fasting periods, such as restricting eating to an 8-hour window daily.

The benefits of intermittent fasting can include weight loss, improved heart health, better blood sugar control, reduced inflammation and improved metabolic health. Before making drastic changes to your diet and lifestyle, it's crucial to consult with your doctor, especially if you notice any unusual symptoms - including the ones listed below.

1. Facial shape: According to Dr. Berg, a round and puffy face may indicate excessive insulin and carb consumption. Reflecting on his past weight struggles, he noted: "I was also storing a lot of water because, with every gram of glucose stored as glycogen, three grams of water are stored."

2. The eyes: Bloodshot eyes could be a sign of liver issues, according to the expert. "This could also be due to a lack of sleep or a deficiency of vitamins B2 and B3. But, usually, it's a liver problem."

3. Tissue around the eyes: If you notice puffiness under your eyes, it could mean that your kidneys are struggling with fluid retention.

4. Under the chin: Accumulated fat under the chin doesn't just affect your appearance, it can lead to problems like sleep apnea, warns the expert.

5. Texture of the skin: If your skin is oily, it could indicate a zinc deficiency or high levels of androgens due to high insulin.

6. Dry flaky skin: This could be a sign of a liver issue and/or an excess of omega-6 fatty acids. Cod liver oil, which contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin D, may help with both dry, flaky skin and oily skin.

7. Acne: The expert explained: "Acne can come from high androgens, which is really too much insulin. Zinc and a change in diet (to Healthy keto) may be beneficial."

If you notice any of these changes in your skin, it's advisable to seek medical advice. A doctor can perform a blood test to help determine the cause. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference.