Pre-Diabetes

[another sean]

So I've discovered my blood sugar is high. And I know how it happened.

When I first got tinnitus, I was terribly unhappy so I binged a few times a week on organic peanut butter cups and ice cream sandwiches.

And so now my fasting glucose is 110.

Has anyone been able to reverse their blood sugar permanently back to normal levels?

 

[Michael Leigh]

So I've discovered my blood sugar is high. And I know how it happened.

When I first got tinnitus, I was terribly unhappy so I binged a few times a week on organic peanut butter cups and ice cream sandwiches.

And so now my fasting glucose is 110.

Has anyone been able to reverse their blood sugar permanently back to normal levels?

@another sean

I use the UK diabetes calibration system. A fasting blood sugar of 7 or more is considered to be diabetic 6.5 is pre diabetes and my level was 6. I decided to do something about it as diabetes runs in my family. Both my late parents had it. My younger brother has been diabetic for quite a few years.

I have always had difficulty managing my weight but decided a plan of action was necessary. At 6ft 2 I carried the weight well but knew this wasn't ideal. I have lost 3.5 stone around 49lbs and now 14stone/200 lbs and feel a lot better. Fasting blood sugar is now 4.8 and well within acceptable limits.

Your US level of 110 is equivalent to UK 6.1 If you take action now I see no reason why you can't lower your blood glucose levels to acceptable readings. Reduce your food intake, alcohol and try not to have drinks containing sugar. Exercise more and this will burn up blood glucose. Walking is especially good and if you buy an elliptical machine, to use at home or use one at the gym 3 times a week will bring huge benefits.

All the best
Michael

 

[another sean]

@another sean

I use the UK diabetes calibration system. A fasting blood sugar of 7 or more is considered to be diabetic 6.5 is pre diabetes and my level was 6. I decided to do something about it as diabetes runs in my family. Both my late parents had it. My younger brother has been diabetic for quite a few years.

I have always had difficulty managing my weight but decided a plan of action was necessary. At 6ft 2 I carried the weight well but knew this wasn't ideal. I have lost 3.5 stone around 49lbs and now 14stone/200 lbs and feel a lot better. Fasting blood sugar is now 4.8 and well within acceptable limits.

Your US level of 110 is equivalent to UK 6.1 If you take action now I see no reason why you can't lower your blood glucose levels to acceptable readings. Reduce your food intake, alcohol and try not to have drinks containing sugar. Exercise more and this will burn up blood glucose. Walking is especially good and if you buy an elliptical machine, to use at home or use one at the gym 3 times a week will bring huge benefits.

All the best
Michael

Thanks @Michael Leigh. When you say reduce my food intake, do you mean to simply lose weight? I'm 6ft at 162 pounds right now. Ive already cut out all added sugar and all simple carbs. Did you find it better to cut out fruit or leave it in? I see conflicting studies about this. The only carb I eat now is Quinoa. My new current breakfast consists of yogurt, walnuts, blue berries and 1 egg. Lunch and dinner is quinoa, veggies and 5oz of meat/seafood. Snacks are yogurt and/or walnuts. Water or tea for fluids. Thats it.

On your new plan, how long did it take to start seeing your glucose lower? And how long did it take overall to see it finally lower within range?

 

[Michael Leigh]

Thanks @Michael Leigh. When you say reduce my food intake, do you mean to simply lose weight? I'm 6ft at 162 pounds right now. Ive already cut out all added sugar and all simple carbs. Did you find it better to cut out fruit or leave it in? I see conflicting studies about this. The only carb I eat now is Quinoa. My new current breakfast consists of yogurt, walnuts, blue berries and 1 egg. Lunch and dinner is quinoa, veggies and 5oz of meat/seafood. Snacks are yogurt and/or walnuts. Water or tea for fluids. Thats it.

On your new plan, how long did it take to start seeing your glucose lower? And how long did it take overall to see it finally lower within range?

HI @another sean

I was 17.5 stone/245lbs so carrying a lot of weight compared to you at 162 lbs which is a healthy weight. You are not overweight. Your Pancreas might not be functioning as well as it should. By this I mean not producing enough insulin to break down the sugar in your blood, so hence the reason for your raised glucose levels. You really need to get advice from your doctor about this because you haven't got a problem with weight, which is one of the most common causes of diabetes 2.

I have a glucose meter that I bought to monitor my levels and as soon as my weight started to reduce I noticed an improvement in the sugar levels. Within 4 weeks I noticed the levels dropping and I've been losing weight gradually over 6 months.

I am sorry to say Sean that you may need medication to help in lowering your blood glucose levels because you are not overweight and I wouldn't advise that you try to lose any. Please see your doctor and get referral to a dietician.

I wish I were the bearer of better news for you and hope you get some help soon.
Take care and if you have anymore questions please ask and if I can help I'll try.

Michael

 

[Kste Adams]

I've heard stories of people on low-carb diets being able to get rid of diabetes medication and lowering their glucose levels. I had a friend who was unable to control her blood sugar even with medication until she removed almost all carbs from her diet. But I agree with the comments to talk to your doctor about this. Some people thrive on low carb diets, others don't (they just about kill me).

 

[Lane]

My understanding is most people can control their blood sugar levels quite well using nutrition alone. Some type of intermittent fasting generally speeds up normalization of blood sugar levels, but it has to be done in a way that doesn't overtax the body.

 

[DebInAustralia]

So I've discovered my blood sugar is high. And I know how it happened.

When I first got tinnitus, I was terribly unhappy so I binged a few times a week on organic peanut butter cups and ice cream sandwiches.

And so now my fasting glucose is 110.

Has anyone been able to reverse their blood sugar permanently back to normal levels?

Have a look at alpha lipoic acid ... stabilises blood sugar level.

 

[another sean]

HI @another sean

I was 17.5 stone/245lbs so carrying a lot of weight compared to you at 162 lbs which is a healthy weight. You are not overweight. Your Pancreas might not be functioning as well as it should. By this I mean not producing enough insulin to break down the sugar in your blood, so hence the reason for your raised glucose levels. You really need to get advice from your doctor about this because you haven't got a problem with weight, which is one of the most common causes of diabetes 2.

I have a glucose meter that I bought to monitor my levels and as soon as my weight started to reduce I noticed an improvement in the sugar levels. Within 4 weeks I noticed the levels dropping and I've been losing weight gradually over 6 months.

I am sorry to say Sean that you may need medication to help in lowering your blood glucose levels because you are not overweight and I wouldn't advise that you try to lose any. Please see your doctor and get referral to a dietician.

I wish I were the bearer of better news for you and hope you get some help soon.
Take care and if you have anymore questions please ask and if I can help I'll try.

Michael

a little over a month ago I was at 180 pounds and at 185 at one point. so I wasn't always at 162. Ive been losing weight after cutting out the sweets but was still heavy on the carbs. I did test my glucose myself last week and it was 113. May not be as accurate as the lab, but it gave me reference. This week I tested it and it was 111. so I may have dropped it 2 points in a week on my new diet. I did also have my H1C tested and it was not in the pre-diabetes range yet, but close. I guess I'll have to see what my glucose is in a week. Hopefully another 2 points lower.

 

[Michael Leigh]

a little over a month ago I was at 180 pounds and at 185 at one point. so I wasn't always at 162. Ive been losing weight after cutting out the sweets but was still heavy on the carbs. I did test my glucose myself last week and it was 113. May not be as accurate as the lab, but it gave me reference. This week I tested it and it was 111. so I may have dropped it 2 points in a week on my new diet. I did also have my H1C tested and it was not in the pre-diabetes range yet, but close. I guess I'll have to see what my glucose is in a week. Hopefully another 2 points lower.

@another sean

Thanks for the additional information. I have not been following any diet just reducing my food intake and paying particular attention not to over indulge on carbs. Walking is one of the best ways for the body to burn up sugar/glucose so I do around 1hr a day. To keep things interesting, I stop off at a cafeteria and catch up on some reading on my Kindle, or having conversation with some of the regulars. This way the walking doesn't get to feel like a chore.

Doing cardio at home on my elliptical has helped a lot and I've recently incorporated resistance training using weights. I have learned doing cardio alone is not good for weight loss especially if one has a lot to lose, as muscle mass is often reduced in the process. Resistance training helps build and retrain muscle keeping the body toned. It also burns fat and calories.

Since you were 185 and now 162 the loss of weight has helped but I wouldn't want to lose anymore if I were you. If I may say so Sean, try not to change your diet too radically because often people find this unsustainable. Try and find a workout (exercise) plan and stick to it as this will help keep your sugar levels under control.

Best of luck
Michael

 

[Sarah200]

My mom reversed her type 2 diabetes after changing to a primal diet.

She started eating more non starchy veggies as she found out even potatoes raised her blood sugar levels, she cut out all grains, and only had low sugar fruit.

Once her diabetes had been reversed for over a year, she now can eat medium sugar fruits and a little bit of chocolate. She still has dairy.

 

[another sean]

My mom reversed her type 2 diabetes after changing to a primal diet.

She started eating more non starchy veggies as she found out even potatoes raised her blood sugar levels, she cut out all grains, and only had low sugar fruit.

Once her diabetes had been reversed for over a year, she now can eat medium sugar fruits and a little bit of chocolate. She still has dairy.

did she eat any type of carb with her meal?

 

[Red]

In addition to above advice, there are supplements to help with blood sugar. Try cinnamon, fenugreek, and berberine.

 

[Sarah200]

Sometimes yes but most of the time she just eats veggies with her meat\fish.

I can give you links to some of the recipes she uses if you want?

Here's a link to the primal diet website https://www.marksdailyapple.com/definitive-guide-to-the-primal-eating-plan/

Here's a link to there recipes page https://www.marksdailyapple.com/recipes-home/

For breakfast she has either Greek yogurt with nuts and blueberries, eggs and bacon or egg on toast (she makes her own bread using cassava flour)

Here's link on the primal diet site on diabetes https://www.marksdailyapple.com/diabetes/

 

[another sean]

Sometimes yes but most of the time she just eats veggies with her meat\fish.

I can give you links to some of the recipes she uses if you want?

Here's a link to the primal diet website https://www.marksdailyapple.com/definitive-guide-to-the-primal-eating-plan/

Here's a link to there recipes page https://www.marksdailyapple.com/recipes-home/

For breakfast she has either Greek yogurt with nuts and blueberries, eggs and bacon or egg on toast (she makes her own bread using cassava flour)

Here's link on the primal diet site on diabetes https://www.marksdailyapple.com/diabetes/

Thank you Sarah for these links. I will look into them.
My breakfast is exactly the same except without the bacon.