Bourbon and diabetes

[Jeeper]

Well... looks like I may be type 2. Anyone else on here diabetic and how has it changed your bourbon consumption?

I tried a search and there just hasn't been a lot of discussion on here about it.

...and I know nothing about diabetes. I go for follow up Monday.

[J.W.]

Sorry to here that Jeeper. My wife is type two her doc. said the best for her was to not consume any. She didn't get a second opinion.

J.W.

[ACDetroit]

My buddies wife was as well and she went on the pump and just adjusted her dosage for the intake of alcohol but she has been diabetic since birth. She use to drink with us though so I know she did not just quite. It's different for everyone though.

Sorry to hear that Jeepers! Good idea to get a second opinion though.

Tony

[Jeeper]

Thanks guys... It's not been confirmed just yet. The doc ran blood tests and it came back just above what they would consider diabetic. I go for a glucose tolerance test Monday. Then I'll know more.

I'm just hoping that I don't have to give up the Bourbon totally.

[drrich1965]

First, I am not a medical doctor. Of course, ask your doctor, but do all the research you can. There are multiple risk factors, so if you are willing to decrease the vaste majoirty of them, you MAY be able to have some degree of whisky. A good holistic approach is almost best with such disorders.

My best wishes to you, and to your health..

[polyamnesia]

yes, HOLISITIC is a key word there to guide you...

i've been wanting to start a thread on Bourbon and HEALTH...but i want to word it right and see if it's been discussed somewhat here.

there is something medicinal about bourbon. but then that means context etc............and a serious consideration of balance......................

[texascarl]

I'm a type 2 diabetic, have been for years. First advice, learn all you can about how to control your blood sugar. Get some daily exercise and lose weight asap if you can, "belly fat" is part of the problem when you develop insulin resistance.

That said, I still enjoy bourbon a few nights a week - never more than 2 drinks. I don't drink every night - never did. But I have 2 glasses of red wine with dinner on many of those nights when I don't really want bourbon. Depending on your medication, a little alcohol is good for our heart. A little is good, a lot is not so good. But hey, better to have 2 than zero, sez I.

I recommend drinking (at least some of) your boubon as dessert, you'll find that this is a fine way to end a meal and you won't be missing cakes and so on. And your body can process the alcohol better with some fats to work on at the same time.

This blog has some very useful info for diabetics. I recommend it highly:

http://diabetesupdate.blogspot.com/

[BourbonJoe]

I have type 2 diabetes. I find, overall, that whiskey lowers blood sugar. At least it does for me.

Joe :usflag:

[Jeeper]

Well I finally got the results back from my glucose test and they say I'm not diabetic. I'm still at high risk and need to monitor my blood and do the diet, exercise, lose weight thing. It looks like I may be able to get past this if I get my weight and diet under control.

Thanks again everyone!

[ACDetroit]

Great news Chris! I need to do the same thing weight and diet so I wish you good luck as I will need the same with the holiday seqson here and all! Will Power baby I need to drop about 60lbs. myself so I guess this week is as good as the next.

Keep us posted on how it's going and again Great news!

Tony

[Jono]

See this very informative site re alcohol and DM

http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/alcohol.jsp

"If you have diabetes and take insulin shots or oral diabetes pills, you risk low blood sugar when you drink alcohol. To protect yourself, never drink on an empty stomach. Plan to have your drink with a meal or after eating a snack.

How does alcohol add to your chances of having low blood sugar? It has to do with your liver.

Normally, when your blood sugar level starts to drop, your liver steps in. It goes to work changing stored carbohydrate into glucose. Then it sends the glucose out into the blood, which helps you avoid or slow down a low blood sugar reaction.

However, when alcohol enters your system, this changes. Alcohol is a toxin. Your body reacts to alcohol like a poison. The liver wants to clear it from the blood quickly. In fact, the liver won't put out glucose again until it has taken care of the alcohol. If your blood glucose level is falling, you can quickly wind up with very low blood sugar.

This is why drinking as little as 2 ounces of alcohol (about 2 drinks) on an empty stomach can lead to very low blood sugar."