I am insulin dependent T2 or T1.5 - 4-years ago, I was diagnosed and was not drinking. About 2-years ago I went to a pub and had Imperial Stout Craft Beer about 9.2% alcohol. Besides getting a very nice buzz my BG dropped dramatically.
Over time I tried many different craft beers and wines - not considering the calories - only looking at the alcohol percents. All had a BG lowering affect when the alcohol content was >5% or so. I found the following on
this link:
"Alcohol also affects blood sugar levels each time it’s consumed, which means occasional drinkers can also be negatively impacted. Alcohol consumption causes an increase in insulin secretion, which leads to low blood sugar (otherwise known as hypoglycemia). This causes light headedness and fatigue, and is also responsible for a host of longer-term alcohol-related health problems."
Though I followed a very low carb diet, my nightly pint or two, caused me to over eat cheeses and meats. I put on some lbs and my overall insulin requirements went up along with my A1C. The most notable was my BG was high in the am where it never had been before.
About 4-weeks ago, I stopped with the pints and wine and lost about 7-lbs. My appetite has decreased and my morning BG has decreased a bit too - but not too pre-drinking.
The problem, I see is that perhaps, the drinking stimulated the beta cells and put pressure on them and so more died or became tired out.
It is difficult to tell as it seems that diabetes is not only a very complex disease but really far more sub diseases within the T1, T2 T1.5 designations not factoring in the individual variabilities.
Would I have started drinking if I was aware that it might burn out the limited number of functioning beta cells. Probably yes, as I rationalize that they would have burned out eventually albeit at a slower rate - perhaps.
After these 4-years, I've come to a couple of conclusions:
- Each individual is unique when it comes to food that increase ones BG levels and you have to test to find out what is what
- The disease changes over time - so you have to continue a regiment of testing
- Each of us has to determine what therapeutic level we want to be at - for some an A1C <6.5 is Ok for other it is <5.6
- Don't be afraid to take the meds that will get you to your therapeutic range.
- Most important - IMO, the Base Metabolic Rate BMR estimates are way to high for the majority of us - and this is a major part of our problems. It is more important to realize this and deal with it than to struggle with VLCHF diets etc.
In my case my BMR is about 1,880 but in truth I believe I am really in the 1,400 range. If you look at and discuss with Dr. Ornish and Dr. R. Bernstein - both diets very different - as to how many calories they eat - they are under 1,600 daily and to some that would be a VLC diet.
