Berberine is a plant compound that has been studied for its possible effects on blood sugar control. Research suggests it may help lower fasting blood glucose and A1c by improving the body’s response to insulin, reducing glucose production by the liver, and possibly slowing some carbohydrate absorption in the intestines. In some studies, the effect has been meaningful, though results vary and berberine is not considered a replacement for standard diabetes treatment.
Because berberine can lower blood sugar, it may add to the effects of diabetes medications and increase the risk of blood sugar dropping too low in some people. It can also cause digestive side effects such as cramping, constipation, diarrhea, or nausea. Anyone taking glucose-lowering medication should discuss berberine with a doctor or pharmacist and monitor blood sugar closely when starting it.
NOTE [08/3026]: Well, apparently Berberine works pretty well toward controlling blood glucose. I woke up and got to my phone and started my STELO app. My bgl was below 70 and showing in red. That’s worrisome to me, so I ate a date and some walnuts, and then fixed a bowl of cereal with both blueberries & strawberries and added some coconut sugar and agave nectar.
I rarely have had to worry about low blood sugar, but have read that it is very dangerous if it gets too low. Not sure how low is too low for me.
So, I don’t think I will need to take two tablets a day, and might even have to work out if I can half the capsule (it’s not a tablet).[end NOTE]
Red Cabbage Slaw: Mostly red cabbage and sweet onion. But also have added grape tomatoes and broccoli sprouts with Dukes Mayo.
Polenta: I’ve added chicken stock & butter to soften it. But I also added onion & hot peppers to it.
Pork & Assorted Peppers with Honey Habanero seasoning.
Baked chicken from Harris Teeter.
The baked chicken, with polenta & peppers, avocado and the red cabbage slaw with onion & tomato was a real surprise as it was almost flat line regarding blood sugar.
But this morning adding the polenta to my breakfast caused it to spike to 225. I had hot Italian sausage, poached egg, polenta & spinach.
Shrimp, Kielbasa & Zucchini Soup: This spiked my blood sugar to about 250, but I plan to use less pasta shells and that should even things out. I probably could just replace the pasta with avocado. Not the same, but I know that avocado works well with the this spicy soup.