Sugars

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Replies

  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    lemurcat12 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Any doctors in the house want to clear up some confusion for me? I had always thought the advice was, in an ideal world, diabetics should avoid sugar and also cut carbs. Did I get it wrong?

    Here is diabetes.org on the topic: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/myths/?loc=db-slabnav

    I have heard people who are high on the health benefits of low carb diets in general complaining that the recommendations for diabetic diets often tend to focus more on (arguably) outdated advice like lowering fat that have long been medical approaches to losing weight and not focused so much on lowering carbs.

    Obviously medical advice for reducing calories is always going to suggest reducing sweets (non nutrient dense calories that also have a strong affect on blood sugar for someone prone to that), reducing processed carbs (similar reasons), and reducing certain kinds of lower nutrient or otherwise medically questioned high fat foods, especially trans fats and (for many medical professionals still) saturated fat.

    I personally tend to think that somewhat lower carbs work for many (and truly low carb works for some, diabetes or no), and some doctors seem more interested in that approach, but I don't think it's at all the mainstream approach currently. I don't have even pre diabetes or insulin resistance and never have, though, so can't speak from personal experience.

    This idea that that means eliminating fruit and grains and never ever being able to have a dessert again seems unfounded, however.

    I agree that lowering sugar makes lowering weight easier, but I thought sugar and high carbs actually does more damage to a diabetic, too. That is where my confusion sets in.

    Lowering is not eliminating. I believe the idea is balancing carbs so you reduce the blood sugar effect. That's consistent with what the diabetes.org link seems to be saying and what I've seen elsewhere.

    But I'm sure some people who are experienced in TypeII and diet will weigh in again soon.

    As I've learned to my dismay, the body will even turn protein into an insulin spike if it gets enough. So lowering is probably the best any of us can do. I was just thinking of the out of control blood sugar levels and the horrors of blindness and gangrenous limbs.
  • This content has been removed.
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    Okay, help me out here. I'm not trying to be dense, sometimes I just am! Insulin sensitivity is the opposite of diabetes, correct? Meaning you want to eat in a way that increases insulin sensitivity, especially if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, correct?

    So doesn't low carb moderate protein high fat fit the bill according to recent research?
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Okay, help me out here. I'm not trying to be dense, sometimes I just am! Insulin sensitivity is the opposite of diabetes, correct? Meaning you want to eat in a way that increases insulin sensitivity, especially if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, correct?

    So doesn't low carb moderate protein high fat fit the bill according to recent research?
    There have been some prominent low carbers turning their backs on low carb diets because it made their insulin resistance/glucose tolerance worse. Improving glucose tolerance means you would be able to eat carbs.
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Okay, help me out here. I'm not trying to be dense, sometimes I just am! Insulin sensitivity is the opposite of diabetes, correct? Meaning you want to eat in a way that increases insulin sensitivity, especially if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, correct?

    So doesn't low carb moderate protein high fat fit the bill according to recent research?
    There have been some prominent low carbers turning their backs on low carb diets because it made their insulin resistance/glucose tolerance worse. Improving glucose tolerance means you would be able to eat carbs.

    I haven't read that, I'll have to go looking for more research papers to wade through with a dictionary and much effort. I do know that too much protein can cause insulin spikes, though. I'm trying to lower mine to moderate levels because of this. But without medication, how could a diabetic ever improve glucose tolerance by eating higher carb/higher sugar?
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    Jolinia wrote: »
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Okay, help me out here. I'm not trying to be dense, sometimes I just am! Insulin sensitivity is the opposite of diabetes, correct? Meaning you want to eat in a way that increases insulin sensitivity, especially if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, correct?

    So doesn't low carb moderate protein high fat fit the bill according to recent research?
    There have been some prominent low carbers turning their backs on low carb diets because it made their insulin resistance/glucose tolerance worse. Improving glucose tolerance means you would be able to eat carbs.

    I haven't read that, I'll have to go looking for more research papers to wade through with a dictionary and much effort. I do know that too much protein can cause insulin spikes, though. I'm trying to lower mine to moderate levels because of this. But without medication, how could a diabetic ever improve glucose tolerance by eating higher carb/higher sugar?
    I posted a link earlier of an RCT here is is again. The link to the RCT is in here, also read the comments
    http://carbsanity.blogspot.com/2014/12/vegan-ma-pi-diet-bests-conventional.html#uds-search-results
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    edited February 2015
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Okay, help me out here. I'm not trying to be dense, sometimes I just am! Insulin sensitivity is the opposite of diabetes, correct? Meaning you want to eat in a way that increases insulin sensitivity, especially if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, correct?

    So doesn't low carb moderate protein high fat fit the bill according to recent research?
    There have been some prominent low carbers turning their backs on low carb diets because it made their insulin resistance/glucose tolerance worse. Improving glucose tolerance means you would be able to eat carbs.

    I haven't read that, I'll have to go looking for more research papers to wade through with a dictionary and much effort. I do know that too much protein can cause insulin spikes, though. I'm trying to lower mine to moderate levels because of this. But without medication, how could a diabetic ever improve glucose tolerance by eating higher carb/higher sugar?
    I posted a link earlier of an RCT here is is again. The link to the RCT is in here, also read the comments
    http://carbsanity.blogspot.com/2014/12/vegan-ma-pi-diet-bests-conventional.html#uds-search-results

    Thanks, reading now. I also just found some rather neat stuff on Adiponectin, which many foods can positively affect, including vegan foods, and chocolate, even. It's also in avocados, pumpkins, olive oil, peanuts, beef, and I think I read it's in some grains.

    I had never even heard of it before now. I wonder if it fits in with what you linked. Not sure where the possible cure using a very low calorie diet fits in, though.


    Link: http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v7/n8/abs/nm0801_941.html

    The fat-derived hormone adiponectin reverses insulin resistance associated with both lipoatrophy and obesity
  • radmack
    radmack Posts: 272 Member
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    eric_sg61 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    Okay, help me out here. I'm not trying to be dense, sometimes I just am! Insulin sensitivity is the opposite of diabetes, correct? Meaning you want to eat in a way that increases insulin sensitivity, especially if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, correct?

    So doesn't low carb moderate protein high fat fit the bill according to recent research?
    There have been some prominent low carbers turning their backs on low carb diets because it made their insulin resistance/glucose tolerance worse. Improving glucose tolerance means you would be able to eat carbs.

    I haven't read that, I'll have to go looking for more research papers to wade through with a dictionary and much effort. I do know that too much protein can cause insulin spikes, though. I'm trying to lower mine to moderate levels because of this. But without medication, how could a diabetic ever improve glucose tolerance by eating higher carb/higher sugar?
    I posted a link earlier of an RCT here is is again. The link to the RCT is in here, also read the comments
    http://carbsanity.blogspot.com/2014/12/vegan-ma-pi-diet-bests-conventional.html#uds-search-results

    They also lost weight because they were restricting calories. My impression from my doctor was that losing weight and restricting calories was the most important goal.

  • kyta32
    kyta32 Posts: 670 Member
    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body

    Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released, or releases too little insulin.

    About 90% of diabetics are type II. It is possible to have both types.

    In both types of diabetes, prolonged high circulating blood sugars can cause damage to various body systems - kidneys, vascular/cardiac, vision.

    For some diabetics, taking insulin allows normal metabolism of sugars.

    Others can control their diabetes through diet, exercise, or other medications.

    Many things cause insulin spikes (including protein and exercise), and naturally-produced insulin spikes do not appear to cause harm to the body in healthy individuals (although diabetics taking insulin must calculate their dosage carefully). Hypoglycemia is a topic for another thread.

    Other things can be converted to sugar in the blood, like high intakes of protein. Getting a handle on insulin resistance, through managing weight, exercise, diet, tracking/limiting carbs (for some), and sometimes medications, is key to managing type II diabetes, not the complete elimination of carbs, which can have problematic side effects.

    Low-carb diets work for some, but not all.

    Source for some info used: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body

    Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released, or releases too little insulin.

    About 90% of diabetics are type II. It is possible to have both types.

    In both types of diabetes, prolonged high circulating blood sugars can cause damage to various body systems - kidneys, vascular/cardiac, vision.

    For some diabetics, taking insulin allows normal metabolism of sugars.

    Others can control their diabetes through diet, exercise, or other medications.

    Many things cause insulin spikes (including protein and exercise), and naturally-produced insulin spikes do not appear to cause harm to the body in healthy individuals (although diabetics taking insulin must calculate their dosage carefully). Hypoglycemia is a topic for another thread.

    Other things can be converted to sugar in the blood, like high intakes of protein. Getting a handle on insulin resistance, through managing weight, exercise, diet, tracking/limiting carbs (for some), and sometimes medications, is key to managing type II diabetes, not the complete elimination of carbs, which can have problematic side effects.

    Low-carb diets work for some, but not all.

    Source for some info used: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes

    Thanks! So low carb could work for some, others might do better controlling their blood sugar other ways and can do so. Regardless, avoiding insulin spikes is good, right?

    Exercise, though? Seriously? I didn't want to learn that one! (Diabetes runs heavily in my family, I'm doing my best to stay off that road, so this subject is important to me.)
  • cerad2
    cerad2 Posts: 70 Member
    DGavriel wrote: »
    I have been doing good and staying under my daily calorie goal but often my sugars are too high I'm thinking maybe I need to skip that one snack at night especially because I have just been diagnosed with diabetes.
    I was recently (Nov 2014) diagnosed as a type 2 myself. One of the interesting things about blood sugar is that it very easy to test. You don't have to guess when it comes to determining the impact of a particular food on your blood sugar levels. You can measure it.

    Get your doctor to prescribe a blood sugar monitor or just buy a cheap one.

    Then it's simple. Eat then do some testing to see how your blood sugar reacts. Everyone will react a bit different. After a few trials you will start to determine what you can and cannot eat.

    The American Diabetes Website has some good information including: http://community.diabetes.org/t5/Adults-Living-with-Type-2/What-you-wish-you-were-told-when-first-diagnosed/td-p/587491 as well as more detailed testing instructions.

    By all means talk to registered dietitians specializing in diabetes. But do understand that they are somewhat constrained on what they can recommend. I talked to three and they all suggested a 240 grams of carb per day with low fat and reasonable protein. That is the government's party line. Unfortunately, from a government's perspective, as long as blood sugar can be controlled by drugs then it's not really necessary to try to reduce your levels to normal by diet.

    In my case, I have found through testing that lowering carbs significantly lowers my blood sugar levels. Nothing extreme mind you, I aim for around 100 grams a day. I don't worry too much about food sugar because my reduced carb levels pretty much keeps my daily intake fairly low.

    So test test test.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    Let me preface that I know nothing about diabetes.
    Only that my uncle has it... he eats loads of carbs and sugar. His doctor simply said if he doesn't reign these things in he will be dead soon.
    Whether his doctor is right or not I do not know??
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    edited February 2015
    Let me preface that I know nothing about diabetes.
    Only that my uncle has it... he eats loads of carbs and sugar. His doctor simply said if he doesn't reign these things in he will be dead soon.
    Whether his doctor is right or not I do not know??

    While diabetes is not caused by sugar, diabetes is controlled through a diet with moderated sugar and carbs. This means all sugar, including fruits, and not just processed sugar, and those wonderful breads, etc.. Diabetes runs rampant in my genetics, and thus far I don't have it. I have learned a lot from diabetics in my family, as well as a good friend who is insulin dependent.

    Edited for clarity.
  • kyta32
    kyta32 Posts: 670 Member
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body

    Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released, or releases too little insulin.

    About 90% of diabetics are type II. It is possible to have both types.

    In both types of diabetes, prolonged high circulating blood sugars can cause damage to various body systems - kidneys, vascular/cardiac, vision.

    For some diabetics, taking insulin allows normal metabolism of sugars.

    Others can control their diabetes through diet, exercise, or other medications.

    Many things cause insulin spikes (including protein and exercise), and naturally-produced insulin spikes do not appear to cause harm to the body in healthy individuals (although diabetics taking insulin must calculate their dosage carefully). Hypoglycemia is a topic for another thread.

    Other things can be converted to sugar in the blood, like high intakes of protein. Getting a handle on insulin resistance, through managing weight, exercise, diet, tracking/limiting carbs (for some), and sometimes medications, is key to managing type II diabetes, not the complete elimination of carbs, which can have problematic side effects.

    Low-carb diets work for some, but not all.

    Source for some info used: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes

    Thanks! So low carb could work for some, others might do better controlling their blood sugar other ways and can do so. Regardless, avoiding insulin spikes is good, right?

    Exercise, though? Seriously? I didn't want to learn that one! (Diabetes runs heavily in my family, I'm doing my best to stay off that road, so this subject is important to me.)

    I'm not sure why you think insulin spikes are dangerous, when naturally produced by the body. Some people find it easier to manage cravings when they avoid glucose spikes (eat fiber, pair carbs with protein, switch in lower GI foods for higher GI foods), but that is a separate issue. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels in healthy people, and controls amino acid uptake by cells (can increase protein synthesis). If you have research supporting that insulin spikes produced by the body are dangerous, I would be interested in seeing it. All evidence points to exercise being beneficial for insulin sensitivity.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    Let me preface that I know nothing about diabetes.
    Only that my uncle has it... he eats loads of carbs and sugar. His doctor simply said if he doesn't reign these things in he will be dead soon.
    Whether his doctor is right or not I do not know??

    I met a lady with diabetes, astronomical blood sugars, a foot amputated and a horrible ongoing infection. I also met a nearly blind retired doctor with diabetes who had recovered from a heart attack. He said if he had his time again he would spend it informing the world that diabetics should restrict their carbohydrate intake in order to maintain their blood glucose levels in a range that doesn't destroy their bodies.

    I'm with your uncle's doctor on this.
  • yarwell
    yarwell Posts: 10,477 Member
    DGavriel wrote: »
    I have been doing good and staying under my daily calorie goal but often my sugars are too high I'm thinking maybe I need to skip that one snack at night especially because I have just been diagnosed with diabetes.

    So how many grams per day is that ? MFPs lowest recommendation is from memory 45 grams at 1200 calories. As a diabetic your concern should be with total carbohydrates not just sugar per se.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    ceoverturf wrote: »
    If you're diabetic, talk to your doctor, and follow his/her advice.

    This
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body

    Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released, or releases too little insulin.

    About 90% of diabetics are type II. It is possible to have both types.

    In both types of diabetes, prolonged high circulating blood sugars can cause damage to various body systems - kidneys, vascular/cardiac, vision.

    For some diabetics, taking insulin allows normal metabolism of sugars.

    Others can control their diabetes through diet, exercise, or other medications.

    Many things cause insulin spikes (including protein and exercise), and naturally-produced insulin spikes do not appear to cause harm to the body in healthy individuals (although diabetics taking insulin must calculate their dosage carefully). Hypoglycemia is a topic for another thread.

    Other things can be converted to sugar in the blood, like high intakes of protein. Getting a handle on insulin resistance, through managing weight, exercise, diet, tracking/limiting carbs (for some), and sometimes medications, is key to managing type II diabetes, not the complete elimination of carbs, which can have problematic side effects.

    Low-carb diets work for some, but not all.

    Source for some info used: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes

    Thanks! So low carb could work for some, others might do better controlling their blood sugar other ways and can do so. Regardless, avoiding insulin spikes is good, right?

    Exercise, though? Seriously? I didn't want to learn that one! (Diabetes runs heavily in my family, I'm doing my best to stay off that road, so this subject is important to me.)

    I'm not sure why you think insulin spikes are dangerous, when naturally produced by the body. Some people find it easier to manage cravings when they avoid glucose spikes (eat fiber, pair carbs with protein, switch in lower GI foods for higher GI foods), but that is a separate issue. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels in healthy people, and controls amino acid uptake by cells (can increase protein synthesis). If you have research supporting that insulin spikes produced by the body are dangerous, I would be interested in seeing it. All evidence points to exercise being beneficial for insulin sensitivity.

    Because of abstracts like this:

    "Increasing evidence suggests that the postprandial state is a contributing factor to the development of atherosclerosis. In diabetes, the postprandial phase is characterized by a rapid and large increase in blood glucose levels, and the possibility that the postprandial “hyperglycemic spikes” may be relevant to the onset of cardiovascular complications has recently received much attention. Epidemiological studies and preliminary intervention studies have shown that postprandial hyperglycemia is a direct and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most of the cardiovascular risk factors are modified in the postprandial phase in diabetic subjects and directly affected by an acute increase of glycemia. The mechanisms through which acute hyperglycemia exerts its effects may be identified in the production of free radicals. This alarmingly suggestive body of evidence for a harmful effect of postprandial hyperglycemia on diabetes complications has been sufficient to influence guidelines from key professional scientific societies. Correcting the postprandial hyperglycemia may form part of the strategy for the prevention and management of CVDs in diabetes."

    http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/54/1/1.short


    But maybe I'm failing to understand something?
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Let me preface that I know nothing about diabetes.
    Only that my uncle has it... he eats loads of carbs and sugar. His doctor simply said if he doesn't reign these things in he will be dead soon.
    Whether his doctor is right or not I do not know??

    Eating a lot of carbs does not cause diabetes, but the disease itself affects how your body handles carbs. When you have it, carbs cause high blood sugar which then leads to problems with things like the kidneys and cardiovascular system. A person who has diabetes and does not control his/her blood sugar via diet, exercise, medication (if the first two aren't enough) runs a real risk for death.

    I was diagnosed in Jan, 2014 and was off medications by Nov. 2014. My doctor is a certified diabetic educator and recommends reduced carbs to all of her patients rather than low carb. I was given a max of 180 g. daily. She is really happy with my 35-35-30 (carb, protein, fat) ratio. The 35% gives me a daily target of 160 g which gives me wiggle room when I eat back some exercise calories.

  • nmatthi
    nmatthi Posts: 8 Member
    Have you tried using erythritol or a combination of erythritol and stevia to sweeten things? It is a natural sweetener, low GI and, compared to all other sugar alcohols, causes me no gastrointestinal discomfort. It definitely satisfies my sugar cravings
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  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body

    Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released, or releases too little insulin.

    About 90% of diabetics are type II. It is possible to have both types.

    In both types of diabetes, prolonged high circulating blood sugars can cause damage to various body systems - kidneys, vascular/cardiac, vision.

    For some diabetics, taking insulin allows normal metabolism of sugars.

    Others can control their diabetes through diet, exercise, or other medications.

    Many things cause insulin spikes (including protein and exercise), and naturally-produced insulin spikes do not appear to cause harm to the body in healthy individuals (although diabetics taking insulin must calculate their dosage carefully). Hypoglycemia is a topic for another thread.

    Other things can be converted to sugar in the blood, like high intakes of protein. Getting a handle on insulin resistance, through managing weight, exercise, diet, tracking/limiting carbs (for some), and sometimes medications, is key to managing type II diabetes, not the complete elimination of carbs, which can have problematic side effects.

    Low-carb diets work for some, but not all.

    Source for some info used: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes

    Thanks! So low carb could work for some, others might do better controlling their blood sugar other ways and can do so. Regardless, avoiding insulin spikes is good, right?

    Exercise, though? Seriously? I didn't want to learn that one! (Diabetes runs heavily in my family, I'm doing my best to stay off that road, so this subject is important to me.)

    I'm not sure why you think insulin spikes are dangerous, when naturally produced by the body. Some people find it easier to manage cravings when they avoid glucose spikes (eat fiber, pair carbs with protein, switch in lower GI foods for higher GI foods), but that is a separate issue. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels in healthy people, and controls amino acid uptake by cells (can increase protein synthesis). If you have research supporting that insulin spikes produced by the body are dangerous, I would be interested in seeing it. All evidence points to exercise being beneficial for insulin sensitivity.

    Because of abstracts like this:

    "Increasing evidence suggests that the postprandial state is a contributing factor to the development of atherosclerosis. In diabetes, the postprandial phase is characterized by a rapid and large increase in blood glucose levels, and the possibility that the postprandial “hyperglycemic spikes” may be relevant to the onset of cardiovascular complications has recently received much attention. Epidemiological studies and preliminary intervention studies have shown that postprandial hyperglycemia is a direct and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most of the cardiovascular risk factors are modified in the postprandial phase in diabetic subjects and directly affected by an acute increase of glycemia. The mechanisms through which acute hyperglycemia exerts its effects may be identified in the production of free radicals. This alarmingly suggestive body of evidence for a harmful effect of postprandial hyperglycemia on diabetes complications has been sufficient to influence guidelines from key professional scientific societies. Correcting the postprandial hyperglycemia may form part of the strategy for the prevention and management of CVDs in diabetes."

    http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/54/1/1.short


    But maybe I'm failing to understand something?

    http://weightology.net/weightologyweekly/?page_id=319

    This doesn't seem to apply to diabetics. If part of it does and I missed it, kindly post the relevant paragraph with the link to the peer reviewed study or abstract refuting the one I posted. Thanks!
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body

    Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released, or releases too little insulin.

    About 90% of diabetics are type II. It is possible to have both types.

    In both types of diabetes, prolonged high circulating blood sugars can cause damage to various body systems - kidneys, vascular/cardiac, vision.

    For some diabetics, taking insulin allows normal metabolism of sugars.

    Others can control their diabetes through diet, exercise, or other medications.

    Many things cause insulin spikes (including protein and exercise), and naturally-produced insulin spikes do not appear to cause harm to the body in healthy individuals (although diabetics taking insulin must calculate their dosage carefully). Hypoglycemia is a topic for another thread.

    Other things can be converted to sugar in the blood, like high intakes of protein. Getting a handle on insulin resistance, through managing weight, exercise, diet, tracking/limiting carbs (for some), and sometimes medications, is key to managing type II diabetes, not the complete elimination of carbs, which can have problematic side effects.

    Low-carb diets work for some, but not all.

    Source for some info used: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes

    Thanks! So low carb could work for some, others might do better controlling their blood sugar other ways and can do so. Regardless, avoiding insulin spikes is good, right?

    Exercise, though? Seriously? I didn't want to learn that one! (Diabetes runs heavily in my family, I'm doing my best to stay off that road, so this subject is important to me.)

    I'm not sure why you think insulin spikes are dangerous, when naturally produced by the body. Some people find it easier to manage cravings when they avoid glucose spikes (eat fiber, pair carbs with protein, switch in lower GI foods for higher GI foods), but that is a separate issue. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels in healthy people, and controls amino acid uptake by cells (can increase protein synthesis). If you have research supporting that insulin spikes produced by the body are dangerous, I would be interested in seeing it. All evidence points to exercise being beneficial for insulin sensitivity.

    Because of abstracts like this:

    "Increasing evidence suggests that the postprandial state is a contributing factor to the development of atherosclerosis. In diabetes, the postprandial phase is characterized by a rapid and large increase in blood glucose levels, and the possibility that the postprandial “hyperglycemic spikes” may be relevant to the onset of cardiovascular complications has recently received much attention. Epidemiological studies and preliminary intervention studies have shown that postprandial hyperglycemia is a direct and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most of the cardiovascular risk factors are modified in the postprandial phase in diabetic subjects and directly affected by an acute increase of glycemia. The mechanisms through which acute hyperglycemia exerts its effects may be identified in the production of free radicals. This alarmingly suggestive body of evidence for a harmful effect of postprandial hyperglycemia on diabetes complications has been sufficient to influence guidelines from key professional scientific societies. Correcting the postprandial hyperglycemia may form part of the strategy for the prevention and management of CVDs in diabetes."

    http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/54/1/1.short


    But maybe I'm failing to understand something?

    Are you confusing insulin spikes with glucose spikes? Glucose spikes are what is dangerous to diabetics.

  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    edited February 2015
    earlnabby wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »
    kyta32 wrote: »
    Type 1 diabetes occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body

    Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can’t properly use the insulin that is released, or releases too little insulin.

    About 90% of diabetics are type II. It is possible to have both types.

    In both types of diabetes, prolonged high circulating blood sugars can cause damage to various body systems - kidneys, vascular/cardiac, vision.

    For some diabetics, taking insulin allows normal metabolism of sugars.

    Others can control their diabetes through diet, exercise, or other medications.

    Many things cause insulin spikes (including protein and exercise), and naturally-produced insulin spikes do not appear to cause harm to the body in healthy individuals (although diabetics taking insulin must calculate their dosage carefully). Hypoglycemia is a topic for another thread.

    Other things can be converted to sugar in the blood, like high intakes of protein. Getting a handle on insulin resistance, through managing weight, exercise, diet, tracking/limiting carbs (for some), and sometimes medications, is key to managing type II diabetes, not the complete elimination of carbs, which can have problematic side effects.

    Low-carb diets work for some, but not all.

    Source for some info used: http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what-is-diabetes

    Thanks! So low carb could work for some, others might do better controlling their blood sugar other ways and can do so. Regardless, avoiding insulin spikes is good, right?

    Exercise, though? Seriously? I didn't want to learn that one! (Diabetes runs heavily in my family, I'm doing my best to stay off that road, so this subject is important to me.)

    I'm not sure why you think insulin spikes are dangerous, when naturally produced by the body. Some people find it easier to manage cravings when they avoid glucose spikes (eat fiber, pair carbs with protein, switch in lower GI foods for higher GI foods), but that is a separate issue. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels in healthy people, and controls amino acid uptake by cells (can increase protein synthesis). If you have research supporting that insulin spikes produced by the body are dangerous, I would be interested in seeing it. All evidence points to exercise being beneficial for insulin sensitivity.

    Because of abstracts like this:

    "Increasing evidence suggests that the postprandial state is a contributing factor to the development of atherosclerosis. In diabetes, the postprandial phase is characterized by a rapid and large increase in blood glucose levels, and the possibility that the postprandial “hyperglycemic spikes” may be relevant to the onset of cardiovascular complications has recently received much attention. Epidemiological studies and preliminary intervention studies have shown that postprandial hyperglycemia is a direct and independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Most of the cardiovascular risk factors are modified in the postprandial phase in diabetic subjects and directly affected by an acute increase of glycemia. The mechanisms through which acute hyperglycemia exerts its effects may be identified in the production of free radicals. This alarmingly suggestive body of evidence for a harmful effect of postprandial hyperglycemia on diabetes complications has been sufficient to influence guidelines from key professional scientific societies. Correcting the postprandial hyperglycemia may form part of the strategy for the prevention and management of CVDs in diabetes."

    http://diabetes.diabetesjournals.org/content/54/1/1.short


    But maybe I'm failing to understand something?

    Are you confusing insulin spikes with glucose spikes? Glucose spikes are what is dangerous to diabetics.

    I don't know, am I? I'm asking. Okay, it works like this, right:

    Body takes in carbs of any kind or takes in too much protein, and turns it into glucose. So the pancreas releases insulin to deal with the glucose. In a healthy person, no worries. In an unhealthy person, the pancreas doesn't work as well so the blood continues to have high levels of glucose in it.

    Either way, dumping a lot of what the body turns into glucose into someone with a malfunctioning pancreas seems like a bad idea.

    I didn't cheat and google that, someone please feel free to point, laugh, and correct me if I got it wrong. I'm trying to get it down correctly.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    Jolinia wrote: »

    I don't know, am I? I'm asking. Okay, it works like this, right:

    Body takes in carbs of any kind or takes in too much protein, and turns it into glucose. So the pancreas releases insulin to deal with the glucose. In a healthy person, no worries. In an unhealthy person, the pancreas doesn't work as well so the blood continues to have high levels of glucose in it.

    Either way, dumping a lot of what the body turns into glucose into someone with a malfunctioning pancreas seems like a bad idea.

    I didn't cheat and google that, someone please feel free to point, laugh, and correct me if I got it wrong. I'm trying to get it down correctly.

    You basically just described T2D and it is managed by reducing the glucose in the bloodstream either by diet and exercise, medication, or insulin injections. Some of your other posts were talking about the dangers of insulin spikes and Mr M27 posted a link that explains why insulin spikes aren't dangerous but you seemed to refute it. I am just wondering if you are saying insulin when you meant glucose.

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  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    earlnabby wrote: »
    Jolinia wrote: »

    I don't know, am I? I'm asking. Okay, it works like this, right:

    Body takes in carbs of any kind or takes in too much protein, and turns it into glucose. So the pancreas releases insulin to deal with the glucose. In a healthy person, no worries. In an unhealthy person, the pancreas doesn't work as well so the blood continues to have high levels of glucose in it.

    Either way, dumping a lot of what the body turns into glucose into someone with a malfunctioning pancreas seems like a bad idea.

    I didn't cheat and google that, someone please feel free to point, laugh, and correct me if I got it wrong. I'm trying to get it down correctly.

    You basically just described T2D and it is managed by reducing the glucose in the bloodstream either by diet and exercise, medication, or insulin injections. Some of your other posts were talking about the dangers of insulin spikes and Mr M27 posted a link that explains why insulin spikes aren't dangerous but you seemed to refute it. I am just wondering if you are saying insulin when you meant glucose.

    Well his article wasn't for diabetics. And if I take in massive amounts of carbs or protein that convert to glucose, isn't it still going to mean my pancreas is going to release a lot of insulin, hence a spike?

    Okay, going to google, though, since I'm mixing up my terminology either way. Thanks!
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    MrM27 wrote: »
    MrM27 wrote: »
    herrspoons wrote: »
    Does anyone still think PrettyKitty is a genuine account?

    Seriously?

    I actually do. I really think she actually believes the things she writes. It goes with the first thread she made when she came here and it was a disaster.

    Yes, I do believe what I write. Pre-diabetic? ZERO SUGAR!
    So no fruits, vegetables, brown rice, oatmeal or whole grain bread?

    Vegetables are fine. And this is not a change for the rest of your life, it's a change to hopefully have your doctor tell you that you are no longer pre-diabetic. Once your OK, eat fruit, brown rice, oatmeal and whole grain bread. And yes, I am basing this on anecdotal evidence.

    From this article: http://ask.metafilter.com/237108/How-to-Get-Rid-of-Prediabetes

    "Today, you begin a life with very very little bread. And very little pasta, rice, and crackers. Today you stop eating cookies, and for God's sakes please put down the donut and the cake and basically anything that comes in a shiny brightly colored bag that you can buy at the pharmacy or gas station."

    "Eat nuts, eat lean meats, eat all the vegetables (besides potatoes) that you want. Eat plain yogurt with berries. Eggs are good for you. Get used to Truvia, Splenda, erithryitol if you simply must have something sweet. AVOID all the crappy "sugar-free" candies that use sugar alcohols, as stuff like Maltitol has about the same glycemic impact as table sugar."

    Now let the attacks from the usual suspects begin.


    If you can eat them while not pre-diabetic, why would you not be able to eat them while trying to become not pre-diabetic? That would imply those foods aren't the issue (because they won't make you pre-diabetic again when you add them back in). As the OP's doctor mentioned, the bigger issue is losing weight.
  • eric_sg61
    eric_sg61 Posts: 2,925 Member
    Taubes should be kicked in the head for making people afraid of insulin
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    Okay, think I got it now. After you eat something that increases glucose, you will get an insulin spike if you are healthy as your body's way of dealing with it, right? But if your pancreas isn't working right, you won't, and then the glucose stays in your bloodstream and does damage. Is that right?
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