Posted on 03/16/2021 7:42:38 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
This past spring, after 18 months of great success on the keto diet, I tested my fasting blood sugar on my home glucose monitor for the first time in many months. The result shocked me.
I had purchased the device, which also tests ketones, when I was diagnosed with pre-diabetes in the fall of 2015. As I embarked on low-carb keto eating, I tested my blood regularly. Soon my fasting blood sugar was once again in the healthy range. I was in optimal ketosis day after day. Not only that, I lost 10 lbs (5 kg) and felt fantastic — full of energy with no hunger or cravings. Before long I could predict the meter’s results based on what I was eating or doing. I put the meter away and got on with my happy, healthy keto life.
When my doctor ordered some lab tests this spring, I brought the meter out again. While I had no health complaints, excellent blood pressure and stable weight, she wanted to see how my cholesterol, lipids, HbA1c, and fasting glucose were doing on my keto diet — and I was curious, too.
To check the accuracy of my meter against the lab results, on the morning of the test I sat in my car outside the clinic at 7:30 am, and pricked my finger.
It was 5.8! (103 mg/dl).
What was going on?
Many people ask: “Why is my fasting blood glucose higher on low carb?” Some posters in forums even say they’ve quit the keto diet because their higher FBGs scared them so much.
But have no fear. We have researched the medical literature and consulted with leading experts. Here’s what you need to know:
(Excerpt) Read more at dietdoctor.com ...
In sum, keto diets make you “super sensitive” to insulin, despite our bodies keeping glucose at the constant “ready,” via your liver converting some fat to circulating glucose.
Make sure to get insulin and HbA1c tested at the same time. This will tell you and your doctor that you really are in “adaptive glucose sparing” mode and are quite healthy.
You can lower your sugar levels quickly by taking ALPHA LIPOIC ACID!!!
Sold over the counter and on Amazon.....Questions?
The problem I have with supplements is not knowing if your getting what is advertised or garbage/little amounts
Use Consumerlab.com and Consumer Reports, among others, to get that independent test confirmation.
I have subscribed to Consumerlab.com, for years, for exactly your reasons.
thanks. Will check it out.
Bkmrk.
“You can lower your sugar levels quickly by taking ALPHA LIPOIC ACID!!!
Sold over the counter and on Amazon.....Questions?”
No fad diets for me. Just lower calorie intake to 1000 per day and live a long life — including low blood sugar. Been doing it for over five years now and doing very well, thank you.
I found that intermittent fasting helps with the blood suger. Only eat between noon and 6 give or take. Waking BS was 250, is now going down by 100 or so. Doesnt mean eat like a pig between noon and 6 either. In my case if I overdue the starches the next morning number is not as good.
Thanks for posting
Diet Doctor is one of the best places on the ‘net to learn how to transform your health by eating right.
Advice here is better than USDA food pyramid or the diet recommendations in the standard of care for most healthcare organizations.
Thanks for the article.
I recently got a continuous glucose monitor on a 28 day trial.
The readings are usually 15 to 20 points lower than my meter.
To continue, the sensors will be $200 every 28 days. Not happening for me.
My glucose numbers are similar to those in the article, usually slightly above 100 in the morning, in the high 90’s during the day.
I did a three day fast before Christmas, glucose got down to 71 after I was out shopping, ketones were 4.1.
I had my fasting insulin checked about six months after starting keto, it was 12. It’s down to 8 now, still working on it. Dr. Ted Naiman says his is 1.
My PCP said my insulin is in the middle of the normal range (2 to 20). I told him I don’t want normal, I want optimal, and lower is better. He said insulin is important, why are you tinkering with your body? Oh well. :)
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I’ve been doing low carb for 3+ years uninterrupted. My A1C is 5.7, quickly down from 6.2. A1C has been 5.7 for over 3 years without variance.
It works for me. I’ve lost 40 pounds over that time and my overall metabolic health is greatly improved.
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