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Typical Western Lifestyle – This, of course, is the biggest influence on blood sugars. The diabetic-alkaline lifestyle can greatly reduce the insulin requirements from diet. Much better blood sugar stability and less variability is usually the result with this lifestyle.
Constipation – Being backed up can make a person need more insulin. Diahrrea usually requires less insulin. So watch out for major lows if you get food poisoning!
Illness – This can have a large impact on blood sugars as your body fights off infection. It requires more energy, and therefore more circulating fuel (glucose and ketones) to fight off those foreign invaders.
Stress – Stress can result in needing a little bit extra insulin to combat the stress hormones and their effects on blood sugars. Dr Richard Bernstein says that before he is up to speak, he automatically gives himself a bolus of insulin because he knows his blood sugars will rise as much as `100 points even though he is not nervous or anxious.
Vigorous Exercise – Different types of exercise require different diabetes management approaches. Exercise intensity strongly influences the blood glucose response. Vigorous exercise tends to raise blood glucose in people with type 1 diabetes rather than lower it. With moderate intensity exercise, the adrenal gland is only minimally stimulated and your blood glucose will not tend to rise with exercise. It will instead tend to drop, so typically you will need a pre-exercise snack and/or a decrease in insulin dosage.
Sedentary – Being sedentary more than two days in a row will usually result in elevated blood sugars. If you are not able to resume exercise, you will have to increase basal insulin, perhaps substantially (by up to 30-40%).
Sleep – Staying up late can result in elevated blood sugars and the need to give some extra insulin, especially if you are inactive.
Artificial Sweeteners – Certain artificial sweeteners in high doses do contain carbs (it’s a small amount per serving so they’re legally allowed to round down to 0) so if you’re binging on diet coke, check your blood sugar and stay alert to a sneaky increase.
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