Can Diabetic Patients take Glucosamine?

Since I have jogging pretty regularly, I think I need to have some form of "protection" for my knees. Some of my friends who had been regular runners are not running anymore. Reason is because of their knees or rather, leg giving them problems. Some of my friends were also telling me that by taking Glucosamine, it can actually "protect" your knee and reduce the pain if you ever feel it. I never had this thought before but recently, had been feeling a little bit of pain on my knees when I exercise. I was wondering is this the sign telling me that I need to take care of my knees and take Glucosamine?

Since I am diabetic, I cannot take any medication without doing the right homework. Furthermore, I am sensitive to the word: "Gluco..." Hence, decided to check it out in the website......and this is what I found from the website:

There is some evidence suggesting that glucosamine, in doses used to treat osteoarthritis, may worsen blood sugar, insulin, and/or hemoglobin A1c (a test that measures how well blood sugar has been controlled during the previous three months) levels in people with diabetes or insulin resistance.

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Glucosamine.htm

Here is another report which says that:

Insulin levels with Glucosamine (HCL or Sulfate) can be subject to fluctuations, particularly in diabetics. Glucosamine is technically a carbohydrate (a sugar), but the body is not able to convert Glucosamine into Glucose. Hence, Glucosamine does not directly provide additional sources of Glucose. In diabetic patients, many factors can lead to changing blood levels and as a result it is very important to check with your doctor prior to initiating Glucosamine therapy and to be sure to be very careful about monitoring your blood sugar levels while on Glucosamine. Read the latest update on Glucosamine for Diabetics.

Another site that says Glucosamine safe for Diabetes: http://www.bastyrcenter.org/content/view/759/

At this moment, I think I better be careful with this. Maybe for a start, I should start drinking milk to build calcium.

My Exercise Week... Twice this week!

I am not a big fan of exercise but because to keep myself healthy, I need to exercise. After attending the course, I told myself that I MUST exercise at least twice a week....well, so far....hmmm....think I am not that disciplined and diligent. It will be good if I exercise at least once a week. Anyway, I made myself exercise 2 days in a row!! :-p

Day 1: Was quite stressed out at work on Wed so decided to go East Coast for a jog alone. Before that, I tested my blood glucose level at around 4 pm. The meter was showing me 3.2 mmol!! Oh dear...already having hypo. Glad that I tested because I do not seem to have a strong feeling on this. Though I know very well that bread will not bring my sugar up very quickly but I think it will at least fill my stomach and slowly bring my sugar level up....I cannot do not have a strong feeling of hypo that I need some sugary drinks! By the time I left office and reach East Coast, it's already 7.20pm. I forgot to test my blood glucose before I started jogging. Anyway, just when I started to jog for about 5 minutes, it started to drizzle then rain... I was thinking should I carry on or should I stop and jog back. If I jog back, my exercise regime is disrupted. Still seeing people running in front of me....was thinking jogging in the rain should be fun. Hence, I carried on with the jog. Good thing is, the rain did not last long. The weather is back to normal and it's breezy for jogging.

On my way home, I bought my dinner at the zi char store at coffeeshop. Bought Hokkien mee..that is, yellow noodles cooked with dark sauce...**slurp** Well, that is not too healthy too because it's yellow noodles and what's more, dark sauce.... Before my dinner @9.32pm, I tested my glucose level. 3.4mmol. Hmm...Hypo again. Ok, then that pack of yellow noodle is good enough for me...hahaha....

Before I go to bed at around 11.30pm, I tested my glucose again to make sure it's ok. Now, the meter read 4.8mmol. Very much to the low side and I was wondering should I eat something before bed because I am worried that I will run into hypo in the middle of the night.. While I was thinking...I think I went into dreamland without additional food in my stomach....

Day 2: Wow! I had a very very good sleep!!!!!! I slept throughout and no hypo!! What could have happened is that I give myself 2 unit less of Glargine which I normally will give myself on Day 1.
Before my breakfast, I tested and my glucose meter read 7.2!! Gosh.....see how my sugar fluctuate just over a night. Throughout Day 2, I am disciplined. I watch what I eat, I did not give myself more insulin....what's more, I am going to burn away whatever I have eaten at the gym in the evening! Will be going for 1 hour aerobics class in the evening after work.... Feel so good with all these exercise and what's more, I do not have to worry about having high glucose level because my insulin will work very very well with the food I'll be eating for the next few days. No more worries of hyper for the time being ;-p

Green Tea and Coffee Reduce Blood Sugar?

Came across this video on Youtube. How true is it? Up to you to believe.

Getting To Know Glycemic Index

The glycemic index itself is a ranking (0-100 score, the lower the better) which classifies foods based on the degree they raise blood sugar levels during digestion. Foods with a high glycemic index (GI) tend to be absorbed rapidly, which cause a dramatic rise in blood sugar levels since they're digested and broken down very quickly.
By contrast, foods with a low GI only have a mild effect on insulin and blood sugar, take longer to digest because they aren't comprised of simple carbohydrates or refined sugars, and have a more balanced digestion with only gradual rise in blood sugar and insulin. This makes you feel fuller for a longer period of time, prevents insulin crashes and binges, and promote healthy lipid and triglyceride levels.

This site tells us which are the food that has high, medium or low GI. Useful site for me, who is Type 1.

http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/glycemicfoodchart.htm

Basically, the idea is that low GI is good for us. However, when we have hypo, low GI food is definitely a no no....

Cooking Lessons @ TDS

Last Saturday, went TDS to attend a cooking session. Though I like to know more about cooking and baking, I really never get the hang of doing it at home because mom is the boss of the kitchen. Nontheless, that does not stop me from getting receipes and learn cooking.
The chef is Annette. She is also Type 1 diabetic. When she was sharing about when she was dignosed and how she felt when she was dignosed with Type 1, I share the exact same feelings too! She is very lucky to have a very supportive husband and 2 beautiful daughters as well.

She went on to teach us how to prepare western salad. Volunteered to help her cut the veges but frankly speaking, I have no idea how I should cut the veges..hence, was slow in my cutting.
After salad, she taught us how to make Apple Muffins! Yippee!! I love to muffins! It's so great that she is teaching us how to make muffins! I listened attentively to her instructions.
What surprises me was that she actually added honey to the muffins! Eversince I was dignosed with diabetes, I have never touch honey everafter......
She also used apple sauce for the sweetness and fruity taste (Instead of adding sugar). This was something new to me too.... From the demonstrations, it seems like the muffins are not that difficult to make afterall.
So, maybe I shall make them one day. :)

CoverGirl for TDS Magazine

Remember in my May post, I mentioned that I attended Certificate in Basic Diabetes Education? The organizers actually requested me and some others to appear in their next edition of TDS magazine as their coverboy and girl.
The few of us were quite nervous of this phototaking session. Other than this, we were worried (at least for me) about the test later part of the day.
Maybe because this is my first time taking photos for magazine, I do not know what to do and how to pose naturally. Also partly because I was tired and sleepy.... Somehow, I am not able to smile naturally or happily.... and my pose looks weird! hahaha.....
Anyway, other than me, the rest of the coverboy and girls look good with their mega watt smile! ;-) The picture turn out to be nice.
This month, everyone who is a member of TDS should receive the magazine with all of us appearing in the coverpage.

My first time as Covergirl.

Thanks to Clarissa from TDS ;-)

Latest Check Up

This is a delayed post.

Went for my quarterly checkup at the hospital last week.
It was raining very heavily and gosh, there was still so many people in the hospital. Where did all these people come from?
Anyway, waited almost 1 hour (as usual) for doctor....She read out my HbA1c result....7....
Just managed to pass.....I am not satisfied with this result. Recently I have been very 'on' in monitoring my glucose level and will do adjustments to my insulin intake but why am I getting HbA1c of 7? Don't understand......I remembered I ever had a result of 6.3 before. Well, that was some years ago and that time, I seldom do blood test and not monitoring my blood test results very often. Obviously there are times when my glucose level went sky high without me noticing at that time but I still able to get <7 results.
Controlling glucose level is though look simple but it is actually not that simple. To get a good result, I will need to make sure I eat right, do exercise and right amount of insulin to be given.
My goal now is simple, HbA1c of < 7.
My next appointment with doctor is Sept. We shall see if there are any improvements.