Flaxseed

[scottjan]

I use 2-3 Tablespoons of flaxseed that I grind each day. It this ok?

A year ago, my fasting blood sugar reading was 126, but dropped to 80 in about a month. Then in the fall is was 102. Could the flaxseed be a factor in the rise?

[Charran]

I think using the flaxseeds are fine as long as you factor in the carbs they contain. The brand that I use has 9 grams of carbs per 3 tbsps with 7 of them being fiber content. Now if you're anything like me....I've found that I can't subract fiber content from anything to date. I have to count the WHOLE amount of carbs as they do affect my blood sugar regardless of being fiber.

[Sherrielee]

Scottjan - I'll bet your weight loss had a lot to do with your fasting bg. Congratulations on the loss of weight and morning glucose!

Char - I thought I was the only one who had to count fiber. I think it might be the "Chinese Restaurant Effect" that Dr Bernstein writes about. Those LaTortillas do me in, and I love them! I have been making a creme cheese sandwich out of one and cutting it into 1/3's. Then I can have one at each meal (1/3 that is).

[scottjan]

Thank you so much for answering my question.

[CYBERMOM]

Hy: about flaxseed - I have been taking it daily in a capsule form.
I am going to try eating it too. My husband uses some when baking
his bread - I read your post the other day and decided you may have
a good idea. My problem presently, is that my diabetis med. has been
changed - and is not agreeing with me. So until I get into that
problem, I decided to check out the eating habits of others who
have the same problems and are winning the race.
cybermom

[JimP]

I had two "mission" brand low carb tortillas tonight with shrimp fajitas. They had 4 net carbs each. A few peppers/onions/olive oil/shrimp.... any my BG's shot up 26 points (79 to 105)! I was really surprised.

I also had a big rise (15 points... 93-to-108) the other day after eating an "Atkins wrap" at Subway with only "8 net carbs".

I might have to look more carefully at the fiber content as well :(

/Jim

[Natshack]

Just keep things in perspective, a 15 point jump is pretty normal for a meal. At the level you are controlling, any changes are neglible. I am assuming you are Type 2.
Great job keeping close track.

[JimP]

Well,

Bernstein's goal is 85 mg/dL around the clock... pre-prandial, during meals, and post-prandial. I know that it is impossible to really maintain that... but I am doing my best to reach this ideal. The closer you get to the goal... the harder it is to control the last few percent... because there are so many factors that seem to cause unpredictable results.

Personally, I start to freak out when I get a reading that goes into 3 digits (100 or higher). Thats when I really start trying to figure out the cause and effect... and how I can prevent it next time.

I also know that I will have to expect setbacks... and that some day, this level of control may not be possible. Today, these are my goals.

/Jim

[Sherrielee]

JimP - Where did you read that Dr Bernstein expects us to be at 85 even during meals? I am pretty sure I read that he wants your pp back to 85 in 2 hours or less.

I would think that it would be impossible not to have a small rise after eating. Dr Bernstein even says how much is okay...I believe it was 15 pts. Don't have my book with me right now (loaned it to a friend).

I think we have discussed this before on this board and the person who came up with the direction of Dr Bernstein found it in his first volume. Someone help me out with the page numbers, as I was also under the 85 (every second of the day) notion in the beginning. I was amazed to see how fast bg does go back down on this plan. :)

Best Wishes,
Sherry

[JimP]

Sherry,

In the new book, Chapter 8, Establishing a Treatment Plan, Pg 113:

"If we have a type 2 diabetic, who requires the insulin sensitizing drugs like metformin or thiazolidinediones, we certainly can shoot for a target blood sugar of 85mg/dL before, during, and after meals, and indeed, I will work with the patient to juggle the medications, using long or short acting versions in order to achieve that target."

He goes on to state why he will usually target 90mg/dL for T1 diabetics... even though it negatively impacts the mortality rate.

I personally find it very difficult (ie: impossible) to maintain 85mg around the clock. My goal is to get my average as close to 85 as possible... across all time periods. Even this is nearly impossible.

You can view my data on my web page if you want... I usually update it daily. http://www.pappasfam.com/diabetes/Jim_stats.htm

/Jim

[simplydawn]

Hmmm... you may have something here. maybe certain food items I cannot disallow the fiber.. such as flax seeds.. which is a fairly new addition to my diet, and even tho my dr took me off of insulin last week, and I expected fluctuations while my body adjusts to it, I am not liking seeing the higher numbers that I am getting in the morning.. perhaps, I cannot deduct the fiber now that I am not injecting insulin.... too late for today to be cautious, since I already had a bowl of flax mixed w/keto apple hotcereal.. so I will keep an eye on that for the next few days and see if that brings my bg's back to range again!

[Sherrielee]

Ahhh....I see! I agree that drugs could possibly keep BG's at 85. When I took Metformin, I took it 2 hours before a meal...thus it was working whilst I ate. Never went over 90 one hour pp, but often went down to 60 at 2 hours pp.

Guess you have to choose your evils! ;)

[MJT]

Ahhh....I see! I agree that drugs could possibly keep BG's at 85. When I took Metformin, I took it 2 hours before a meal...thus it was working whilst I ate. Never went over 90 one hour pp, but often went down to 60 at 2 hours pp.

Guess you have to choose your evils! ;)
I thought we were suppose take metformin with our meals at least that's what I've been doing am I doing it wrong? MJT

[Sherrielee]

MJT - I believe that doctors advice taking Metformin with meals initially, as some stomach distress can be expected. However, as it takes Metformin approx. 2 hours to begin working, I always took it 2 hours before breakfast and 2 hours before dinner. Had great BG control, but several LOWS that I did not perceive. HTH

BTW...Metformin ONLY helped me when I took it 2 hours before meals...did very little, especially for DP, when I took it with meals.