Many doctors are missing a chance to save the lives of their patients by not ordering a blood sugar level one hour after eating a meal. Having a normal fasting blood sugar (<100 mg/dl) does not rule out diabetes. A high rise in blood sugar after meals can damage every cell in your body and markedly increase risk for heart attacks, strokes, dementia, impotence, osteoporosis, blindness, deafness and so forth. The new rule is that if your blood sugar one hour after a meal is greater than 155 mg/dl, you should immediately make lifestyle changes
• a fasting blood sugar above 95 mg/dL,
• a large protruding belly
• small hips/buttocks
• high systolic blood pressure (>120 at bedtime)
• high LDL cholesterol (>100 mg/dL)
• high triglycerides (>150 mg/dL)
• low HDL cholesterol (<40 mg/dL)
• any heart, liver or kidney problems
• blood hydroxy vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL
• a family history of diabetes or heart attacks
• sedentary habits with little or no exercise
My Recommendations
If your blood sugar one hour after eating is above 155 mg/dL:
• Lose excess weight. I recommend intermittent fasting
• Follow a high plant diet that includes lots of vegetables, whole grains, beans, seeds and nuts and at least some fruit with meals every day. Restrict red meat, processed meats, fried foods, sugar-added foods and all drinks with sugar in them, including fruit juices.
• If you are not already exercising, check with your doctor and start a supervised exercise program
• Keep blood levels of hydroxy vitamin D above 20 ng/mL
