question about diabetes

[Big Rig]

Why do diabetics need sugar if they are going to faint?

It seems to me they lack insulin and insulin controls sugar excess so they have to be careful not to take too much sugar so why would they ever need sugar?

 

[Butler1000]

I believe what they lack is control over their insulin levels. That part of their body regulating system has shut down. So while they take insulin for the most part if they don't eat their blood sugar can drop significantly. Hence the need for a boost.

 

[trm]

Blood sugar levels will fluctuate in diabetics. If the blood sugar gets too low, which is often caused by not eating, the condition is called hypoglycemia, which can lead to fainting. The symptoms include shaking and feeling light headed. When this happens the body needs sugar to get back in equilibrium. The fainting is a symptom of low blood sugar, not high blood sugar.

 

[Big Rig]

Blood sugar levels will fluctuate in diabetics. If the blood sugar gets too low, which is often caused by not eating, the condition is called hypoglycemia, which can lead to fainting. The symptoms include shaking and feeling light headed. When this happens the body needs sugar to get back in equilibrium. The fainting is a symptom of low blood sugar, not high blood sugar.

Thx

So, they cannot eat as much sugar as normal people because the body cannot process the sugar unless they take insulin injections but do need some


So, they are on a high protein/low carb Aitkens type diet? as the whole idea of this diet is to keep sugar out of your bloodstream.

 

[shakenbake]

Thx

So, they cannot eat as much sugar as normal people because the body cannot process the sugar unless they take insulin injections but do need some


So, they are on a high protein/low carb Aitkens type diet? as the whole idea of this diet is to keep sugar out of your bloodstream.

Not so. Diabetics need carbs, as anyone else does. What diabetics need to do is to control the amount and the type of carbs. Diabetics have to eat a balanced diet. Sugar itself is not the enemy, but the abuse of sugar is the enemy. As a diabetic, it is important to maintain blood glucose typically no lower than, say 4.5 mMmol/L, and no higher than, say 10 mMol/L, 2 hours postprandial. Of course, individuals may have different limits, and that also depends on whether it is Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes being controlled.

Generally, the dinner plate must be covered by 50 % veggies, 25 % proteins and 25 % starches (i.e., carbs).

 

[**Sophie**]

There are 2 type of diabetes. Type-1 and Type-2. While the exact cause of type-1 diabetes is now known, research has shown that poor diet and a lack of excercise are key factors in the development of type-2 diabetes. To avoid type-2 diabetes, consume a diet low in fast foods, trans fats, sugars and processed foods.

More info here about how diet effects the cause of diabetes type-2

 

[Zook]

Thx

So, they cannot eat as much sugar as normal people because the body cannot process the sugar unless they take insulin injections but do need some


So, they are on a high protein/low carb Aitkens type diet? as the whole idea of this diet is to keep sugar out of your bloodstream.

There are some complex variables with diabetes. For example eating too much of anything ( Dr. Bernstein even jokes, "even sawdust") can cause a spike in blood sugar. Drops can be caused by several things as well, including alcohol and infections.

If you know anyone taking diabetic medication, have them go to:

http://www.drfuhrman.com/disease/Diabetes.aspx

While the above is a somewhat radical diet by western standards, it can help many individuals completely get off medications and insulin. And of course drastically reduces risks of heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Here is a similar but even more radical plan outlined: (It is not aimed at diabetics specifically, but heart disease patients.)

http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxCambridge-Caldwell-Esselsty

There is also some good information here:

http://www.glycemicindex.com/faqsList.php FAQ #17 answers one aspect of the Atkin's diet.

Even if you are not diabetic, understanding this topic can be useful, especially if you are dieting in any fashion.

Z

 

[shakenbake]

There are some complex variables with diabetes. For example eating too much of anything ( Dr. Bernstein even jokes, "even sawdust") can cause a spike in blood sugar. Drops can be caused by several things as well, including alcohol and infections.

If you know anyone taking diabetic medication, have them go to:

http://www.drfuhrman.com/disease/Diabetes.aspx

While the above is a somewhat radical diet by western standards, it can help many individuals completely get off medications and insulin. And of course drastically reduces risks of heart disease, cancer, high cholesterol, and blood pressure.

Here is a similar but even more radical plan outlined: (It is not aimed at diabetics specifically, but heart disease patients.)

http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxCambridge-Caldwell-Esselsty

There is also some good information here:

http://www.glycemicindex.com/faqsList.php

Even if you are not diabetic, understanding this topic can be useful, especially if you are dieting in any fashion.

Z

Zook, thank you for these links. I have browsed through Dr. Fuhrman's book and can see some logic to his diet, and also foundations to medical research.

 

[FTWWTF]

Being a type 2 diabetic for over 15 years now, I take 4 needles a day. The pancreas cant break down the sugars so insulin helps. A normal blood sugar level is between 4-8. When it drops below 4 , you feel like you have to faint, start slurring your words. It almost looks like you are drunk. That's when a good dose of sugar brings up the blood sugar levels back to normal. For me I just went into a restauarant that I frequent and asked them if they could order me a box of single serve honey packets. And I keep them in the fridge, in the car and in wifeys purse for when I need the sugar rushj.

 

[Yoga Face]

Being a type 2 diabetic for over 15 years now, I take 4 needles a day. The pancreas cant break down the sugars so insulin helps. .

The pancreas does not " break down sugars " the insulin it creates stores excess sugars (turned into sucrose in the blood stream ) as fat.

A normal blood sugar level is between 4-8. When it drops below 4 , you feel like you have to faint, start slurring your words. It almost looks like you are drunk. That's when a good dose of sugar brings up the blood sugar levels back to normal. For me I just went into a restauarant that I frequent and asked them if they could order me a box of single serve honey packets. And I keep them in the fridge, in the car and in wifeys purse for when I need the sugar rush.

What happens when you do not inject insulin and have too much sugar in bloodstream? Same symptoms as not enough sugar?

I have been told that fainting systems could mean too much sugar but eating more sugar will not cause further damage so when in doubt eat more sugar. Is this true?

 

[FTWWTF]

For me personally when my sugar gets to high, I have to piss a lot and I feel really sluggish and tired. Best bet is to test your blood sugars when in doubt always check the blood sugars. High blood sugars, can cause blindness, and can even put you into a coma. When I was first diagnosed my sugar level was 38, I had no idea what that meant. My family doctor called me at home at 3 in the morning and told me to get my ass to emergency room right away. When I was getting my sugar under control I was blind for 3 months, had to wear glasses. High sugars can lead to amputation, blindness, and erectile disfunction.

 

[Yoga Face]

For me personally when my sugar gets to high, I have to piss a lot and I feel really sluggish and tired. Best bet is to test your blood sugars when in doubt always check the blood sugars. High blood sugars, can cause blindness, and can even put you into a coma. When I was first diagnosed my sugar level was 38, I had no idea what that meant. My family doctor called me at home at 3 in the morning and told me to get my ass to emergency room right away. When I was getting my sugar under control I was blind for 3 months, had to wear glasses. High sugars can lead to amputation, blindness, and erectile disfunction.

As a diabetic your problem is controlling blood sugar - correct?


Get your ass into emergency at 3 AM sounds like there can be an imminent danger when you eat sugar for a quick fix ( if the problem is too much sugar in your blood), so

1 if you feel faint and quickly eat a chocolate bar (that is what the Godfather did) how can you be sure that the problem is not too much sugar in your blood ?

2 why would you not have enough sugar in your blood ? as your problem is your body is not turning excess sugar into fat through body made insulin. Is it your over injections of insulin that is causing your sudden need for sugar?


THX

 

[Zook]

aasdsf

 

[AmiAndrews]

A bit of an anatomy lesson:

When your sugar is HIGH, receptors in the pancreas stimulate beta cells in the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin acts on various body cells, called effectors, to move glucose into cells and out of the blood. Also, in the liver, excess glucose is made into glycogen and stored. Sugar levels decrease.

When your sugar is LOW, receptors in the pancreas stimulate alpha cells to secrete glucagon. Glucagon acts on liver cells, called effectors, to break down stored glycogen into glucose for quick use. Sugar levels increase.

When your sugar is low, as someone else mentioned, you are confused, uncoordinated, and generally out of it. I know that awful feeling, because I’m hypoglycemic myself. (The etiology on that word: Hypo - below/under; glyc - sugar; emic/emia - pertaining to the blood)

Regardless if you have low or high blood sugar, the idea is to eat a healthy, balanced diet so as to maintain even sugar levels consistently. This is called homeostasis and all body systems work effectively to maintain this. Eating an unhealthy, high fat diet results in sugar spikes and lows, and only aggravates your system, making it ineffective over time and unable to maintain homeostasis.