Why Doesn't A Low-carb Diet Reduce My Glucose Levels?
Question: Hello,
I went to cardiologist, put me on low carb diet 1 week ago. After I started 1st few days by glucose went down to 90 from 105. During the day i saw it as low as 70 using a Blood glucose monitor drawing blood. Well its a week later and after losing 5 pounds I am only down 2 and my glugose is back at 100-105? I am just eating meat (hot dogs no bread, cheeseburger plain no bread and cheese, coffee black. I quit having as many bowel movements. I had diarrhea the first few days but now I barely have 1 compared to 4 a day.
I just thought my glugose would go down and I dont understand gaining 2 pounds back but may be due to less bowel movements. I do take alot of vitamins, I hope they dont have carbs...
I feel fine and in fact losing a few pounds I have less PVC's.
Anyway, your thoughts about glucose not going down fast or will it take more time? What about weight going back up?
I went to cardiologist, put me on low carb diet 1 week ago. After I started 1st few days by glucose went down to 90 from 105. During the day i saw it as low as 70 using a Blood glucose monitor drawing blood. Well its a week later and after losing 5 pounds I am only down 2 and my glugose is back at 100-105? I am just eating meat (hot dogs no bread, cheeseburger plain no bread and cheese, coffee black. I quit having as many bowel movements. I had diarrhea the first few days but now I barely have 1 compared to 4 a day.
I just thought my glugose would go down and I dont understand gaining 2 pounds back but may be due to less bowel movements. I do take alot of vitamins, I hope they dont have carbs...
I feel fine and in fact losing a few pounds I have less PVC's.
Anyway, your thoughts about glucose not going down fast or will it take more time? What about weight going back up?
Brief Answer:
Diet
Detailed Answer:
A low carb diet, to me, a health fad. There is limited evidence to recommend it as a treatment option for weight loss or better overall health.
Even for glucose control for people with diabetes, I do not recommend it to my patients.
Studies have demonstrated no superiority of this type of diet over another.
A balanced diet is a better idea, as far as I am concerned. This is what I advise my patients to do.
Various other diets have some problem or the other, such as the ones you are experiencing. Weight loss is typically not sustained and regain tends to occur over time.
I urge you to consult an endocrinologist in-person and a dietitian too.
Diet
Detailed Answer:
A low carb diet, to me, a health fad. There is limited evidence to recommend it as a treatment option for weight loss or better overall health.
Even for glucose control for people with diabetes, I do not recommend it to my patients.
Studies have demonstrated no superiority of this type of diet over another.
A balanced diet is a better idea, as far as I am concerned. This is what I advise my patients to do.
Various other diets have some problem or the other, such as the ones you are experiencing. Weight loss is typically not sustained and regain tends to occur over time.
I urge you to consult an endocrinologist in-person and a dietitian too.
Note: For further follow-up, discuss your blood glucose reports with our diabetologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar