One of the “defects” of Type 2 Diabetes and insulin resistance is that the liver overproduces sugar and dumps it into the bloodstream. This can be why, even if you haven’t eaten any food, sugars can increase steadily overnight - as the liver makes sugar.
The job of Metformin is to tell the liver NOT to make extra sugar – so it can be especially helpful for lowering high fasting blood sugars.
What does neuropathy (nerve damage) feel like?
- Pins and needles
- Uncomfortable tingling and burning
- Oversensitivity (such as pain from feet touching a blanket)
- Reduced feeling (numbness)
It’s the new year, and suddenly your prescriptions are astronomically expensive!
What happened? Likely, it’s your deductible! Whether you have Medicare or a private/employer commercial insurance plan – almost everyone can experience the “sticker shock” of paying full price for their medications until their deductible is met.
Hear what nationally renowned diabetes specialist Dr. Jodi Strong, from our Medical Advisory Board, has to say about managing cholesterol.
Of course people with diabetes are concerned about their blood sugars... however, many people with diabetes aren’t sure of the connection with high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. In addition, people are confused about the research that’s out on whether or not statins are favorable for patients with diabetes.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) and low libido are common in men with diabetes. Diabetic nerve damage can cause numbness, pain, or lack of feeling in the genitals which can inhibit orgasm or make it difficult to feel sexual stimulation.
How does exercise help lower blood sugars?
Exercise naturally sensitizes insulin and makes the body’s natural insulin work better. It helps “burns off” the extra sugar in the body for energy - leaving less sugar around to cause high blood sugars, damage to vessels and organs, and less sugar around to be stored as fat. Exercise also helps with weight loss which directly reduces diabetes risk and improves blood sugars by reducing insulin resistance.
What is the connection between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Pre-diabetes?
Certain people are born with a set of genes that make their tissues “insulin resistant”. This means that the insulin the pancreas produces doesn’t work well - again based on genetics and other factors like obesity and a diet high in carbs/sugars. Since the body’s natural insulin isn’t working well, the pancreas works hard to make more and more of it leading to high levels of circulating insulin in the body. Insulin is a fat storing hormone - so if you have a lot of insulin around, your body is constantly in fat storing mode!
WHAT IS DIABETIC NEUROPATHY?
Up to 80% of people with diabetes will develop neuropathy (or nerve damage). Unfortunately, the risk of experiencing neuropathy increases the longer you have had diabetes. Many people report significant pain which can feel like burning, shooting pains, tingling, numbness, and increased sensitivity with touch. Even bed sheets lightly brushing against your skin can feel painful!
“How can I lower my blood sugars?”
It’s the number one question I hear. Many people want a simple, one-stop, easy solution — preferably one that will allow them to eat and live as they did before they had diabetes, but, there’s not. In all my years of research, I’ve found that the best way to lower your blood sugars in the healthiest way possible is — “a diabetic diet, taking the right supplements, and exercising.” This is a topic worthy of a book because there is so much great information out there, but here is an abbreviated version of my top three tips on how to lower your blood sugars:
