Diabetes Help!

ltrain_cometh · Post by **ltrain_cometh** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 10:37 am

I found out am type 1 diabetic December of 2007. I've always had a lean athletic build but lost 25 pounds until I found out it was due to diabetes. I have gained it back! I have now been working out SERIOUSLY for 2 months.

Any advice for someone who's body does not produce insulin. When to inject it, before or after workouts? There are many supplements which induce insulin spikes, well body can't!

Open to any and all advice for this crusade to be in consistent control of diabetes!

Boopster · Post by **Boopster** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 1:32 pm

I'm gonna take a stab at this post not because I am diabetic, nor am I a physician. First and foremost, your endocrinologist should be able to answer your question to meet your specific needs, however, having a very active diabetic son, I can share with you what he does as far as insulin and exercise.

sons wears an insulin pump which administers insulin in very small amounts throughout the day in accordance with what his endocrinologist feels best for his age and activity level. That being said, exercise is a great way to help control high blood glucose levels. Before any physical activity, he tests his blood to see what range he is in and usually has an apple or banana without giving himself any insulin. The energy he burns off during his exercise usually will effect his blood sugar levels causing a drop with the possible occurrence of getting hypoglycemic (very low blood sugar) hence the fruit before exercise. He never ever doses insulin before exercise. Diabetics bodies, for the most part, react to activity, so blood sugar levels stay within good ranges and usually drop. He does drink protein shakes which are the only supplements I allow him to take at this time due to his age. He uses a low carb protein so we know he's not getting too many carbs his body that won't be able to burn off due to his inactive pancreas.

So long story short.

#1 Check with your physician to see if you have any physical limits regarding exercise and your diabetes.

#2 Diabetics normally do not dose insulin before exercise as the activity causes your body to burn off more of the sugar in your bloodstream resulting in better blood sugar control. Plus dosing before can lead to a dangerous risk of hypoglycemia and if not treated immediately, can result in passing out and a trip to the ER.

# Test often throughout exercise in case you do begin to feel hypoglycemic and drink something super sweet to boost glucose levels until you are feeling within your normal blood sugar range. Also test post-exercise.

Hope this helps and I wish you all the best in your endeavors

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 2:48 pm

What you could do is take something like Gatorade with you. If you start feel a bit funny drink some. Simple Sugars get into the Bloodstream at a rate of 30 calories a minute, which would be helpful, if you start going hypo.

Boopster · Post by **Boopster** » Sat Aug 01, 2009 3:11 pm

Right on Boss Man! Gatorade and any fruit juice are perfect to a blood sugar low

And not that I recommend regular soda...but in a pinch it works great because it's loaded with sugar!

ltrain_cometh · Post by **ltrain_cometh** » Sun Aug 02, 2009 6:52 pm

Thanks for the advice! I am serious with the workouts because it feels good and I like the visual results as well.

Just trying to find out the best way to make sure muscle cells are getting nutrients consumed from protein shakes and food since insulin is responsible for a major part of that.

Boss Man · Post by **Boss Man** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 12:45 pm

I'm surprised you actually have type I, as it's usually there from birth, where as type II comes around the 40 years old mark and older.

ltrain_cometh · Post by **ltrain_cometh** » Mon Aug 03, 2009 1:24 pm

Doctors said I'm that one in a trillion case. Type 1 at late 30's. Pancreas for some reason stop producing insulin. Was it overworked by diet at the time, possibly. There is just no known explanation why and that was the biggest question mark I had in head... Why? Why ME? And there is no answer for it. Tough for me as think 95% of things logically. Call me Mr. Spock! LOL!! I would not mind being a guinea pig for Muscletech or someone to develop products for weightlifting diabetics... hmm!