Insulin and Low Carb

[Ressy]

Anyone out there taking insulin shots while you low carb? Does it affect your ability to lose weight or how fast you lose weight?

Just looking for some more experienced answers!

thanks

Ressy

[cemays]

Yes, I have taken insulin shots and low carb. It all depends on the person. I have found that I have to eliminate artificial sweeteners, all grains, and starches (rice, potatoes, oatmeal, etc) and hold to berries and vegetables although Granny Smith Apples do not seem to cause problems. Just watch your blood sugar closely. I have followed PP several times, it works for weight lose. You will also see your blood sugar drop very fast. On July 5th I started back into the very strict phase of less than 40 ECCs, Within a week I was only taking half the amount of insulin as previously and my blood sugar actually dropped too low a couple of days ago, I brought it back up by eating a candy bar, so now I am on about 1/4 of the original amount. Monitor constantly because it will drop the blood sugar fast. I have also lost about 8 lbs in the 2 weeks, I am sure that will slow down but the first two weeks you always lose the most.

[cyncort]

I take two kinds of insulin, also metformin, and Actos. I'm just getting started on PP again after an interruption. I'm not losing as fast as I thought that I would in the beginning, but I'm seeing my insulin requirements move downward and my blood sugars improve. My insulin resistance is very high and it was moving higher. (I didn't think that was possible!) It was taking more insulin per carb to bring down my blood sugars, and I hadn't achieved the control that I had even a few months ago. I'm hoping that once my insulin requirements drop quite a bit, then I'll see better weight loss. I've also ordered Dr. Eades' book detailing 30 days of menus. Even though I had the original Protein Power book, I'm not convinced that I'm doing it exactly right.

Several years ago I tried the Atkins diet and lost about 40 pounds in four months. I was exercising and feeling great, but then I started showing protein in my urine. I'm convinced that low carb and higher protein than the ADA recommends is the best eating plan for some people (especially like me).

I'll be interested to hear how things progress for you! Good luck!

[mepc06]

With PPLP it is possible for some people...I won't say everyone....but probably most....can either significantly reduce or eliminate completely the need for diabetic medications. I've done it...when I stick with the plan, I have no need for insulin whatsoever. NONE. Additionally, I've been able to quit taking antihypertensives as well.

The longer I follow the program the better my body has adjusted and within a couple of weeks my need for insulin had decreased from daily to every once in a while. Since starting PPLP and joining the groups here, I've used just 2 bottles of insulin since November, making a bottle of insuin last about 4-5 months (you really shouldn't keep them that long, but at 80.00 a bottle, I'm not willing to throw them away). I actually don't have any insulin on hand right now and haven't since the end of June.

My labs are great, last Hemoglobin A1C was in the non-diabetic normal range (that was in February) and my Cholesterol was the best it's been in years.

The program works and one thing I have found is now when I do eat something that would typically send me running for the injection, although my blood sugar does rise, it doesn't go as high as it would have before PPLP and it also comes down within normal range very quickly.

And yes, insulin does affect your ability to lose weight. I've heard it said that it is very difficult to lose weight while taking insulin injections. I think though as you follow the plan, reducing the carbs, the need for supplemental insulin decreases, with your body producing more "natural" insulin and the more of the supplemental insulin you reduce the more you increase your ability to lose weight.

Hope that helps,
Michelle

[waltc]

I would like to suggest you read Dr. Bernstein's book "Diabetes Solution." He has a great deal of information about LC Dieting and taking insulin.

[LisaS]

I'm not sure some of these people are still on the boards- these are pretty old threads you are waking up.

[maxlharris]

Hiya Walt. If you look in the upper left hand corner of any post on here, you can see the time/date stamp for the post.

Michelle hasn't been on since, well, I think the fall. Maybe late last summer. Time runs together a little bit. Unlikely that she is going to see your response.