Prediabetic and Dawn Effect

[jan]

Would appreciate some guidance on the following.

During my last visit to the doctor my fasting blood sugar level was 107. As a brief history I'm 40, slim (6' 3" 175 lbs) and at the time really did not watch my overall eating habits.

The 107 reading spooked me and since then I am exercising regularly, (jogging around 12 miles a week), have changed my eating habits significantly and begun taking 1 gram of cinnamon daily.

I have also begun to monitor my blood sugar levels with a home device.
The majority of my readings (90%) are between 80 and 90 in the mornings when I get up (typically 7 - 8 hours after my last meal. My blood sugar levels within 2 hours of eating lunch average just below 100.

I do have some concern however with some of my morning readings. Every now and then my blood sugar will run 103 - 107 on the first reading. When this happens I typically take a couple more readings and the numbers always seem to fall (ie...within 10 minutes the number is in the low to mid 90's as I start moving around, etc before breakfast)

I have read about the dawn effect for diabetics but wonder is this a normal occurence for non -diabetics.....(ie...do non-diabetics also experience a higher blood sugar level soon after they get up that then would begin to decrease as they begin their day?

Sorry for the lengthy post but appreciate anyone's input.

[Mike-S]

Here are a couple of very good diabetes discussion groups where you might get the info you are seeking:


http://listserv.tbinet.org/archives/dsm-l.html


http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/diabetes_int/


Responders in both of these groups may want to know your blood glucose readings after an overnight fast, before a meal, 2 hours after the meal and before going to bed. Mike

[trainr]

I believe your pancreas thinks that any glucose level above 83 mg/dL is high, since it continues to produce insulin until a drop below that number. As a result, you are probably in a condition of hyperinsulinemia and could use some management.

Cinnamon appears to be at least as effective as Metformin (generically, glucophage), if not more so. The recent studies show a marked improvement in glucose regulation with as little as a gram a day (1/2 tsp).

[alpdiver]

I believe your pancreas thinks that any glucose level above 83 mg/dL is high, since it continues to produce insulin until a drop below that number. As a result, you are probably in a condition of hyperinsulinemia and could use some management.

trainr,

Will you you please provide evidence/references for the above statement.

[Mike-S]

I believe your pancreas thinks that any glucose level above 83 mg/dL is high, since it continues to produce insulin until a drop below that number. As a result, you are probably in a condition of hyperinsulinemia and could use some management.

Cinnamon appears to be at least as effective as Metformin (generically, glucophage), if not more so. The recent studies show a marked improvement in glucose regulation with as little as a gram a day (1/2 tsp).

Trainr: Could you please elaborate on the significance behind 83mg/dl in your post; I'd guess that this is very variable depending on each individual.

Cinnamon doesn't lower blood gluose levels for everyone; this is a YMMV situation; also, cinnamon may (or may not, again YMMV) increase insulin sensitivity and may have a large impact on blood glucose levels when hyperinsulinemia is present. Mike

[trainr]

trainr: Could you please elaborate on the significance behind 83mg/dl in your post; I'd guess that this is very variable depending on each individual.It's a generally recognized number, similar to the acceptable numbers given for blood pressure -- if you're above these on a sustained basis, it's a good idea to consider yourself at risk.

My doctor considers glucose at 100 mg/dl acceptable, but according to my pancreas I'm still producing insulin until glucose drops to 83-86. While my glucose would appear acceptable to my doctor, my insulin level would be high, and my body would continue to lose insulin sensitivity and increase in insulin resistance. Jan has a fasting number of 107.

Cinnamon doesn't lower blood gluose levels for everyone; this is a YMMV situation; also, cinnamon may (or may not, again YMMV) increase insulin sensitivity and may have a large impact on blood glucose levels when hyperinsulinemia is present. MikeYou can Google the studies rather easily. The first ones were in 2003. (An earlier study on glycemic impact found apple pie to have a low impact, which was contrary to expectations; an expanded study of constituent parts found cinnamon to be the exceptional factor.)

http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/06_03/2bohannon.htm
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/jan2004_awsi_01.htm

http://www.rajeun.net/HbA1c_glucose.html
"According to Dr. Bernstein, diabetes progresses whenever blood glucose is higher than 83 mg/dl. "

The studies I've seen show cinnamon to be universally positive in effect. Can you source the exceptions?

[trainr]

trainr,

Will you you please provide evidence/references for the above statement.Sure: http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2003/06_03/2bohannon.htm
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2004/jan2004_awsi_01.htm


http://www.rajeun.net/HbA1c_glucose.html
"According to Dr. Bernstein, diabetes progresses whenever blood glucose is higher than 83 mg/dl"

[Mike-S]

Can you source the exceptions?

This abstract briefly discusses the insulin sensitivity; I've read posts on email lists and usenet of people saying that cinnamon lowered their BG levels in some cases and did nothing in other cases. It is only my opinion that increased insulin sensitivity in a hyperinsulinemic environment might be a potential problem lowering BG but I don't remember ever reading this.

Effects of a novel formulation of essential oils on glucose-insulin metabolism in diabetic and hypertensive rats: a pilot study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15715893&dopt=Abstract

Mike

[trainr]

Effects of a novel formulation of essential oils on glucose-insulin metabolism in diabetic and hypertensive rats: a pilot study.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=15715893&dopt=Abstract
MikeInteresting. Did you ever read the study itself regarding which of these oil combinations was the one more effective? I'm curious.

[Mike-S]

Interesting. Did you ever read the study itself regarding which of these oil combinations was the one more effective? I'm curious.


I was unable to find the study online. Mike

[Golden Girl]

I was dx in January as hyperglycemic..is this the same as pre-diabetic?

My FBG numbers in the morning have been gradually running higher and higher. Starting in the 100-110 range. Now they are 115-127.
All I was told was to lower the starches. I already eat LC but am maintaining. I am going to a dietitian next week and I'm cringing as I know what they'll say. Probably more carbs..no way!!

My girlfriend who is type 2 told me I might be having that Dawn's effect. So she said, try and eat more carbs right before bed. So I tried it. Hurrah..my BG this morning was down to 106 the lowest in a month.

[Mike-S]

Here are a few links that might explain pre-diabetes, hyperglycemia and diabetes:

Hyperglycemia:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperglycemia


Pre-Diabetes:


http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/prediabetes


Diabetes:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diabetes


Impaired Fasting Glucose:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impaired_fasting_glycaemia


Impaired Glucose Tolerance:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impaired_glucose_tolerance


Mike