Maine
Related: About this forumDiabetics
I am a diabetic, type two, and have been for over twenty years. I am not a doctor, so these are my own personal thoughts. With being a diabetic there is no one size fits all and each person, with the advice of their doctor, must find what works best for them. There is no real cure, just control. There are many medications, but most will say with proper DIET and EXERCISE you MAY lower your A1C. What you do is up to you. A glucose meter and frequent testing will tell if you are controlling your blood sugar levels or not. Have a primary care doctor administer A1C tests on a regular schedule. High sugar levels can, and in time, will damage your body beyond repair. One last thought, if you have family history of diabetes, have your doctor check for prediabetes. If you get the jump on this condition early it will pay off in the long run. I did not and now I regret it.
TexLaProgressive
(12,313 posts)A carb restricted diet, exercise and stress reduction are pretty much one size fits all. Taking a pharmacy full of drugs without doing those 3 things may reduce blood glucose but not well. When I was diagnosed in 1992 or 3 I started on an oral, micronase, I also began daily exercise and was very careful about what I ate. Soon my doctor weaned me off the drug because I was having hypos.
What often isn't told to patients and family is type 2 diabetes has a tendency to progress. After a number of years BG began to spike. I was still fit, exercising and carb restricting. Doctor prescribed Metformin. After a few years Lantus insulin was added and presently I am using Humalin as well. I am still fit, still exercising and feel good as long as I do the right stuff. Even without the dangerous complications of uncontrolled BG, high BG levels make you feel like shit.
IbogaProject
(3,710 posts)Hi, I'm a t1D but my harm reduction tips stand.
It really helps to get a handle on portions and carb contents of your staple diet. And once you get a groove with stable meal schedule you step up the blood sugar testing to keep an eye on post meal spikes. Also a few tests a week or once a day will reduce the chance you might miss the early stage of the toxic cascade of Ketoacidosis.
Melatonin a dietary supplement sold for sleep also upregulates the insulin receptors, so it makes the same insulin do more. The opposite is what leads to T2D inflammation lowers the body's anti oxidant systems and insulin receptor activity is lowered.
The other tip is eat olive oil, having a diet high in unsaturated fat is associated w lower diabetic complications. And it also provides an alternate energy source if your blood sugar dips.