I’m stuck. Nothing is going down.

[Oldvatr]

Off to source some of these for some experiments of n=1. Thank you for the ideas. Nothing ventured nothing gained. (Or lost hopefully).

Just a quick note to pass on some of my research into these (also n=1) The zinc and magnesium need to be in the chelated form which is a process that makes them more easily absorbed in the stomach (they fizz slightly).

The chromium comes in many variants. do not be fooled by getting GTF(Glucose Tolerant Factor) as sold for body builders, but get the Picolinate version which again is easier to metabolise.

The Bitter melon comes in powder, capsule, and natural memordica root form. I use capsules since they are the least faff to deal with in the morning light. Do not (I repeat Do Not) bite the capsules or eat the powder neat - it is very bitter. The root can be infused into tea but it is not for chewing. This supplement can be used in ayurvedic terms as a laxative so be sparing with it, One cap a day seems good enough for my gut to deal with.

As usual with unregulated supplies, caveat emptor. I get mine through Amazon but that is not a guarantee of quality. The company I used to use (Swanson() has gone out of business but there are others - read the comments.

 

[LaoDan]

Just a quick note to pass on some of my research into these (also n=1) The zinc and magnesium need to be in the chelated form which is a process that makes them more easily absorbed in the stomach (they fizz slightly).

The chromium comes in many variants. do not be fooled by getting GTF(Glucose Tolerant Factor) as sold for body builders, but get the Picolinate version which again is easier to metabolise.

The Bitter melon comes in powder, capsule, and natural memordica root form. I use capsules since they are the least faff to deal with in the morning light. Do not (I repeat Do Not) bite the capsules or eat the powder neat - it is very bitter. The root can be infused into tea but it is not for chewing. This supplement can be used in ayurvedic terms as a laxative so be sparing with it, One cap a day seems good enough for my gut to deal with.

As usual with unregulated supplies, caveat emptor. I get mine through Amazon but that is not a guarantee of quality. The company I used to use (Swanson() has gone out of business but there are others - read the comments.

Bitter melon is a pretty common dish in Asia, my mother in-law stuffs them with ground pork and steams them. Acquired taste for sure.

 

[VashtiB]

I hope the supplements give you some results- if so let me know as I would be keen to try them too.

I keep less than 10 grams a day- if I go up to 20 my levels go higher- very annoying. I'm currently working out in my head the balance that I want. Like you I want my readings in the 4s and 5s. I have achieved this on 10 grams of carbs or less a day. Over 10 grams- but still less than 20 grams I get 5s and 6s. So for me I vary from time to time my ability to stay below 10 grams a day. My body seems really sensitive. I am about to change jobs and am hoping with a less stressful job my ability to have 20 grams of carbs and stay in the 4s and 5s will come.

I find it extremely frustrating on some days- others it doesn't worry me at all. I figure I need to find a balance I can live with.

 

[Robbity]

But are you in such a bad place? Your glucose levels sound as if they're stable, and they are more or less normal. What do you feel the benefits will be if you could reduce those figures?

I've been in a similar position for around seven years now, and I just accept that my (much older) body is comfortable at this level, so I'm more than happy to be able to have achieved this when many others can't, and have no real wish to force myself to go any lower. My feelings are that just because we have some members who can reach and remain at very low levels, this isn't necessarily right for all of us, and unless we're having serious issues, then it's perfectly OK to remain somewhat higher if we're doing all that's reasonable to keep ourselves healthy...

ETA My advice would definitely be to avoid stressing too much over this, as this could be causing you problems too. Stress certainly does so for me and one the highest levels I've seen was after a bad argument, and was actually higher that a pure sugar spike I had after my husband dosed me in the belief I was hypo...

 

[HSSS]

But are you in such a bad place? Your glucose levels sound as if they're stable, and they are more or less normal. What do you feel the benefits will be if you could reduce those figures?

I've been in a similar position for around seven years now, and I just accept that my (much older) body is comfortable at this level, so I'm more than happy to be able to have achieved this when many others can't, and have no real wish to force myself to go any lower. My feelings are that just because we have some members who can reach and remain at very low levels, this isn't necessarily right for all of us, and unless we're having serious issues, then it's perfectly OK to remain somewhat higher if we're doing all that's reasonable to keep ourselves healthy...

ETA My advice would definitely be to avoid stressing too much over this, as this could be causing you problems too. Stress certainly does so for me and one the highest levels I've seen was after a bad argument, and was actually higher that a pure sugar spike I had after my husband dosed me in the belief I was hypo...

Whilst I can see why you might think I’m stressing I’m actually not. Frustrated yes, wanting better yes, but it’s not distressing me. As I said i realise it’s not awful, but it’s not normal. If I can reasonably get it to normal then why wouldn’t I want that. Obviously if I can’t or the cost is higher than I want to pay then I have to settle for where I am but I’m not at that point just yet.

If I showed up at a, decent, drs I’d be told to drop a bit of weight and my levels. Some damage still may occur at these levels over the longer term and I don’t want to wait for serious issues later in life (that by then could be too late to undo) to try to take action.

The benefits of weight loss would be to my joints as I have issues there and my physical comfort as well as a little vanity, to less stress on my internal organs if they are not layered in fat as my extra weight is central not all over. The benefits to better bgl and likely lower insulin would be lower cvd risks in the coming years, less stroke risk, less dementia risk possible as that is present in some relatives, less chance of hypertension which is rife in my family, less chance of eye issues, neuropathy etc.

 

[MrsA2]

It’s seeming more and more likely my age/hormonal situation is the largest confounding factor. But other than accept it what next?

Some form of strength/muscle building exercise that feels part of everyday life or fun rather than exercise is one option. Ideas from people that like type b fun please?

Please reread my earlier post.
The exercises I suggested are fun and the podcast enlightening re hormones.
I'm sorry if it read as if all I was suggesting was dancing.

Other resistance work would be something like Kettlebell or boxercise (loads on you tube), or digging the garden or scarifying the lawn

 

[NicoleC1971]

Lots of good points here. Yes I do expect, and want, more. I’ve always hated the kitchen but I do cook from scratch almost every day low carb/keto. I have a decent quality variety, just hate the effort it requires just don’t have a lot of capacity for more effort. The weather improving will extend my repertoire undoubtedly. If nothing else my eldest likes to bbq and cooking outside feels better even if the family get sick of bbq variations

I am down. For lack of progress, for lockdown, for risk of illness, for other life reasons. Nowhere near as bad as it has been previously by far, but not as good as it could be. I’m pretty self aware on this front.

Exercise used to be dance. I am not happy going to dance classes/meetings which involve rotating partners usually and are not the same as a singleton online and can’t see that changing for some time. I don’t have the finances to pay for anything right now as I am on unpaid leave. Yes I need to find motivation for strength exercise but it simply isn’t there and I can’t find it.

Lipids ratios last test were Good to excellent, hdl good to great and trig below 0.8 so great. If my IR is doing well why isn’t my bgl? Or weight? These are my unanswered questions.

So sorry you are stuck and it is tough in current times. I always wanted to get to salsa classes and made excuses not to so as soon as they open this is a promise I am making to myself to do!
If you are eating right then it makes logical sense to find a way to get your stress levels down and/or exercise preferably both. Here's to salsa, bbqs and ore Spring strolls. Don't forget to give yourself kudos for getting so much right so far.

 

[Gracie204]

Hi
I really feel for all the ladies doing their utmost to keep their blood glucose levels at a healthy level and to lose weight and not having any success. I'm in exactly the same boat. The only way that I can lose weight is by doing it through WeightWatchers, having lost three stone on three different occasions in the past but it's always gone back on again. I was always hungry on the WW diet and the thought of going through it all again just makes me back away.

I enjoy eating low carb and feel full on it, but there's no positive results. Years ago I tried the Atkins diet, sticking to it assiduously and the same thing happened no weight loss. But why does eating low carb work so well for so many people yet not others?

I have found that after a walk my blood glucose readings do drop, but whilst I enjoy walking and usually do three miles a couple of time a week I don't want to spend every day doing it.

A final note, I've recently read that if anyone following the Atkins diet and not losing weight to take supplements such as Carnitine, Q10, Chromium. Whether this would help I've no idea. Perhaps worth a try.

Kind regards to my fellow sufferers!