10 replies to this topic

[leanguy]

I am looking for supplements, foods or hacks to extend blood glucose overnight.  Basically I wake up every night around 2am, feeling hungry and shaky.  I have to get up and eat a snack to go back to sleep.  The remaining sleep is restless and unrefreshing. This gets really old, and I want to sleep through the night.  I've already tried the usual "have a teaspoon of honey or handful of nuts before bed".  No matter what I do or what I eat for dinner, I will always wake up in the middle of the night.  I have a glucose meter, and my glucose is never above 100 even after eating a large meal.  This rules out reactive hypoglycemia?  Any advice is appreciated.

[Phoebus]

have you been screened by a doctor for diabetes?

 

 

[leanguy]

have you been screened by a doctor for diabetes?

 

yes, morning glucose is always less than 100.

[Phoebus]

yes, morning glucose is always less than 100.

 

and did you ask your doc about these symptoms?

[leanguy]

and did you ask your doc about these symptoms?

 

mainstream docs are not much help.  looking for an alternative solution.

[Phoebus]

mainstream docs are not much help.  looking for an alternative solution.

 

okay but did you tell your Doc about these symptoms? what did he/her say? 

[Kimer Med]

From your description, what may be happening is that your blood sugar drops after you go to sleep, and when it gets low enough, you get a spike of adrenaline, which wakes you up. This is not an uncommon problem.

 

Have you tried measuring your blood sugar right before bed?

 

Are you taking any supplements or meds?

 

What do you typically eat and drink in the 6 or so hours before bed? Any red wine?

 

[leanguy]

From your description, what may be happening is that your blood sugar drops after you go to sleep, and when it gets low enough, you get a spike of adrenaline, which wakes you up. This is not an uncommon problem.

 

Have you tried measuring your blood sugar right before bed?

 

Are you taking any supplements or meds?

 

What do you typically eat and drink in the 6 or so hours before bed? Any red wine?

 

Yes that is exactly what is happening.

 

Blood glucose before bed is usually around 80.

 

No meds.  Supplements are typical vitamin/mineral/probiotic.

 

Alcohol does make it worse, but still happens if I do not drink.

 

High fat, high protein, moderate carb diet.  Typical dinner is salad / beef / veggies / sweet potato.

 

Daily moderate exercise.  Aerobic, not weight training.

Edited by leanguy, 23 January 2019 - 11:16 PM.

[Kimer Med]

There are quite a few typical vitamins and minerals that can affect blood sugar; a review might be warranted.

 

A couple of things that can gently increase blood sugar somewhat:

 

Coconut oil

DHEA

 

Also, starches are made from long chains of glucose. Eating a high-starch food before bed should result in a relatively slow release of glucose as the starch is broken down (don't chew too thoroughly, since saliva breaks down starches).

 

If you have a blood glucose (BG) meter, it can be very informative to measure your BG every hour for a full day. Also track when you have food or supplements, and when you exercise. You're looking for not just highs and lows, but the timing of those swings with respect to your daily activities.

 

[leanguy]

Thanks Ace.  I don't tolerate DHEA (makes insomnia/anxiety worse), but I can try coconut oil at bedtime.

[ConnyB]

Very old bump, but will add a solution for the problem if someone finds this thread again.

Melatonin will solve your problem, it decreases insulin secretion and sensitivity temporary. Take 3-5mg before bed and your problem will be gone.