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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/28/2009 6:11:18 PM

kiwisub12

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There has been some research that suggests cinnamon decreases blood sugar levels. I'm not a diabetic, but it did sound very interesting, and potentually helpful to non-insulin diabetics. Google is your friend.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/28/2009 11:18:29 PM

KMsAngel

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my diabetes educators always told me that strawberries and kiwi were "free fruits" for diabetics.

the ones you'd think are harmless (it's watermelon, got lotsa water!) are evil and wicked :)

i avoid pit fruits but i'm very sensitive to fruits in general. and fruit juices. and carrots are evil too :)

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/29/2009 8:36:09 PM

LafayetteLady

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quote:

ORIGINAL: KMsAngel

my diabetes educators always told me that strawberries and kiwi were "free fruits" for diabetics.

the ones you'd think are harmless (it's watermelon, got lotsa water!) are evil and wicked :)

i avoid pit fruits but i'm very sensitive to fruits in general. and fruit juices. and carrots are evil too :)

Of course! Two of the fruits that I am not that fond of. Don't get me started on watermelon! I love watermelon, but apparently, it is nothing more than water and sugar. Didn't know about the carrots.

My nutrionist has advised me to eat cottage cheese as part of my diet. Luckily for me, I don't hate it. A friend suggested putting garlic powder in it, she said it makes it kind of taste like dip. Haven't tried it yet, but certainly sounds positive.

I recently changed doctors and think that my diabetes will be taken care of much better. I know that for many Type 2s like me, diet plays an important part, but I'm one of those people who believes that getting the numbers down with medication and then tapering off while maintaining the diet is a better way to start than simply with diet.

One thing I am wondering about though. I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks to reconstruct some damaged ligaments in my ankle. I will be in a cast for 6 weeks, which will certainly limit my exercise options (although my doctor has told me that I will be feeling much better once all my medications start kicking in). Are there things that diabetics need to do or be aware of when it comes to the healing process? I'm wondering if there might be new and interesting things that I should be on the look out for/aware of during that time that are more diabetic specific.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/29/2009 8:40:07 PM

DarkSteven

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Strawberries and kiwis are free? Why the heck is that? They have fructose like any other fruit.

Carrots better be okay. I graze a lot at work and bring carrots and pickles with me as healthy grazing material and eat a pound of each every workday.

Cottage cheese is great. I eat it with some cinnamon and it's a latke without the warp. I also add fruit chunks.

LafayetteLady, I've read that diabetics heal more slowly than normal folks.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/29/2009 9:59:26 PM

breatheasone

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Carrots are on the starchy side i'm afraid.... i know it sucks.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 3:00:33 AM

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Everyone is different, but overall, all fruits are indeed sugar-filled, it's "nature's candy".

And Steven is correct, we heal much slower. I have scars all over my legs from the last few years, due to that.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 3:22:39 AM

sirsholly

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quote:

And Steven is correct, we heal much slower. I have scars all over my legs from the last few years, due to that.

maybe you should just use a hair removal cream, Level? Those razors nicks are annoying.

Actually..the slower rate in healing is secondary to decreased circulation. One very easy way to monitor blood flow in the lower legs is to keep an eye on the hair growth. A lack of normal blood flow can damage the hair follicles (wow...there is such a good bald joke in here somewhere!).

And since the lower extremities are at risk with any diabetic...learning to monitor the pulse in the feet is a good thing.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 5:32:35 AM

CarrieO

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quote:

ORIGINAL: LafayetteLady

One thing I am wondering about though. I'm having surgery in a couple of weeks to reconstruct some damaged ligaments in my ankle. I will be in a cast for 6 weeks, which will certainly limit my exercise options (although my doctor has told me that I will be feeling much better once all my medications start kicking in). Are there things that diabetics need to do or be aware of when it comes to the healing process? I'm wondering if there might be new and interesting things that I should be on the look out for/aware of during that time that are more diabetic specific.

I've been thru numerous foot surgeries, the most recent just one month ago, and I can tell you so much depends on the control you have over your blood glucose and and whether or not you have good circulation in your extremities. I developed neuropathy fairly early on and this can greatly affect the sensations in your feet, or lack thereof.

Please check your feet daily!

Here's a link that will give you some information on neuropathy and how it can lead to other complications...
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/16162153.php

Pay close attention to your glucose readings as this can indicate signs of infection, sometimes. After one surgery, I developed osteomyelitis and wasn't aware of it because I couldn't see the infected area as it was padded and wrapped and I was in a walking cast. I knew something wasn't right, though, becasue my blood readings shot up like mad.

Best of luck with your surgery and I hope all goes well for you.

*edited to add....Neuropathy is reversable and damaged nerves can be repaired. I have gone from having little to no feeling in my feet to feeling everything (which can be odd after having no feeling). Proper blood glucose control is so important...monitor as much as possible and walk...10,000 steps a day is a great goal, more if you can.

< Message edited by CarrieO -- 11/30/2009 5:37:47 AM >

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 8:39:14 AM

DarkSteven

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Okay, I have two questions...

1. The model that I have seen for glucose absorption shows the glucose coming from the GI tract to the blood, and from there to the cells. Diabetes of course is when the transfer from the blood to the cells is hampered.
-------           --------            --------
|   GI | ----->| blood | -----> | cells |
-------           --------             --------

Diabetes will create two problems: the blood has extra glucose, which harms organs and also clogs up the blood vessels; and the cells do not get their glucose, which causes fatigue and depression.

Everything I've read addresses the issues with the high glucose levels in the blood, but nothing about the low glucose levels in the cells. For example, the idea of carb limiting addresses the blood glucose levels but not the cell glucose levels. Why is that?

2. My fasting levels blood sugar levels are great at night but rise some 15-25 points while I sleep. Everything I've read indicates that this must be due to my liver dumping glucose into my bloodstream while I sleep. Are there other ways my blood sugar could rise while I sleep? If it is the liver, is this liver fat being broken down, or liver glucose being released? Is this something that will continue, or just a temporary response to my blood glucose being lower than before?

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 11:42:38 AM

yourdarkdesire

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as the mother of a type I diabetic and the daughter of a type 2 diabetic, I'm going to chime in here for a minute.

Steven I am sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I remember when my Dad went thru this a few years ago. There should be a diabetic education centre somewhere that will offer a variety of seminars from food management to foot care. Check them out.

The biggest thing in type 2 diabetes is a balance between diet, exercise, and medication. Type 2's can be managed without medication.

One thing I have not seen addressed is alcohol. And I only bring this up because of my Dad. All alcohol, especially beer - contains carbohydrates. IF you are a drinker - cut it back. If you have a drink with your meal and also take medication at the same time *such as metformin* be aware that your blood sugar can drop very very rapidly.

Something to keep on hand for lows - somebody mentioned smarties ....... bad idea. Use skittles instead because of the fat content in the chocolate. The fat makes absorption difficult. Rockets are also very handy and that is what my daughter uses. What ever you use to counteract a low - you need to be able to injest 10-15 grams of carbs in one minute.

I wish you all luck in your search for better health.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 1:20:50 PM

sirsholly

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

Okay, I have two questions...

1. The model that I have seen for glucose absorption shows the glucose coming from the GI tract to the blood, and from there to the cells. Diabetes of course is when the transfer from the blood to the cells is hampered.
-------           --------            --------
|   GI | ----->| blood | -----> | cells |
-------           --------             --------

Diabetes will create two problems: the blood has extra glucose, which harms organs and also clogs up the blood vessels; and the cells do not get their glucose, which causes fatigue and depression.

Everything I've read addresses the issues with the high glucose levels in the blood, but nothing about the low glucose levels in the cells. For example, the idea of carb limiting addresses the blood glucose levels but not the cell glucose levels. Why is that?

To the best of my knowledge the glucose level in the cells is not generally measured. What IS measured is the level of glucose in the blood.

quote:

2. My fasting levels blood sugar levels are great at night but rise some 15-25 points while I sleep. Everything I've read indicates that this must be due to my liver dumping glucose into my bloodstream while I sleep. Are there other ways my blood sugar could rise while I sleep? If it is the liver, is this liver fat being broken down, or liver glucose being released? Is this something that will continue, or just a temporary response to my blood glucose being lower than before?

Mobility decreases the bs level. Perhaps what you are seeing is simply a normal rise secondary to immobility?

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 1:34:47 PM

DarkSteven

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quote:

ORIGINAL: sirsholly

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

2. My fasting levels blood sugar levels are great at night but rise some 15-25 points while I sleep. Everything I've read indicates that this must be due to my liver dumping glucose into my bloodstream while I sleep. Are there other ways my blood sugar could rise while I sleep? If it is the liver, is this liver fat being broken down, or liver glucose being released? Is this something that will continue, or just a temporary response to my blood glucose being lower than before?

Mobility decreases the bs level. Perhaps what you are seeing is simply a normal rise secondary to immobility?

holly, the glucose needs to come from somewhere to get into the blood. That's the only way that blood glucose could rise. Possibly it's going backwards from the cells to the blood? Either that or from the liver, I suppose.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 1:40:56 PM

sirsholly

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quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

quote:

ORIGINAL: sirsholly

quote:

ORIGINAL: DarkSteven

2. My fasting levels blood sugar levels are great at night but rise some 15-25 points while I sleep. Everything I've read indicates that this must be due to my liver dumping glucose into my bloodstream while I sleep. Are there other ways my blood sugar could rise while I sleep? If it is the liver, is this liver fat being broken down, or liver glucose being released? Is this something that will continue, or just a temporary response to my blood glucose being lower than before?

Mobility decreases the bs level. Perhaps what you are seeing is simply a normal rise secondary to immobility?

holly, the glucose needs to come from somewhere to get into the blood. That's the only way that blood glucose could rise. Possibly it's going backwards from the cells to the blood? Either that or from the liver, I suppose.

Steven...the glucose is absorbed through the small intestine and into the blood stream as a result of digestion.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 3:18:06 PM

DarkSteven

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holly, I know that that is the main path. But since I don't eat for several hours before going to bed, that's not the pathway that can produce a rise while I'm sleeping. So there has to be another route for glucose to enter my blood while I'm sleeping.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 3:32:40 PM

yourdarkdesire

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Steven - I know that type 1's typically need a bedtime snack - my girl does. If you're not eating for several hours before bed then I would suggest that you are experiencing a low followed by liver dumping as your body tries to regulate itself.

The sugar goes into the body and broken down to glucose. It is then either used by the cells or stored in the liver as glycogen. It is the glycogen that the liver releases in response to a low blood sugar.

The only way to determine what is actually happening with your sugars is to monitor yourself every hour, on the hour, for a period of 2-3 days. It is hell on the sleep system, but it is the ONLY way to get an accurate idea of what is happening when you sleep.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 3:51:58 PM

Moonhead

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quote:

ORIGINAL: yourdarkdesire
Something to keep on hand for lows - somebody mentioned smarties ....... bad idea. Use skittles instead because of the fat content in the chocolate. The fat makes absorption difficult. Rockets are also very handy and that is what my daughter uses. What ever you use to counteract a low - you need to be able to injest 10-15 grams of carbs in one minute.

That's interesting. I've never had any trouble using chocolate to deal with hypoglaecemia. If skittles work faster, I'll have to give them a try.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 4:05:54 PM

yourdarkdesire

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Moon - it could be because I am dealing with a six year old child that the nurses don't like the chocolate. And when she goes low - she goes loooooooowwwwwwww - often with no symptoms. anyways - one pack of rockets with worth about 10 carbs, so as an adult you should probably gobble 3 packs at least.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 4:06:28 PM

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Blood sugar high in the mornings is called the Dawn Phenomenon. It's generally caused by gluconeogenesis, or delayed stomach emptying. Gluconeogenesis is caused by the liver, primarily; it is the creation of new glucose from dietary protein, or from amino acids released from muscles or other tissues. If one has enough insulin-making capability, then that suppresses the action. Also, it seems that the liver is much more prone to "deactivate" circulating insulin in the early morning hours; if you don't make enough insulin to overcome that, you'll see a rise in BG.

Delayed stomach emptying, or gastroparesis, is where the diabetes has damaged some of the nerves that govern the muscles of the stomach, and intestines. Unless you've had elevated BG for a number of years, this likely isn't the problem, but you'd have to have tests done to make certain.

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 4:14:48 PM

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Good article on DP:
http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/17561156.php

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RE: A thread for diabetics - 11/30/2009 5:48:11 PM

DarkSteven

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Thank you, Level!

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