Caffeine worsens insulin resistance in prediabetics

[CoWriter]

Interestingly, a study showed that when diabetics had caffeine equivalent to four cups of coffee, their average daily blood sugar levels rose 8 per cent.  On the other hand, pre-diabetics (fasting blood sugar higher than 100) had the equivalent to 3 cups of coffee and three hours later, their blood sugar increased by 15 percent and the insulin production by 18 percent.  So pre-diabetics may not see a big increase in their blood sugar, but the hyperinsulinemia is getting worse.  And as we know, hyperinsulinemia makes interferon ineffective.

Co


Caffeine worsens insulin resistance in prediabetics.
Family Practice News
April 15 2007

WASHINGTON -- Caffeine intake appears to exaggerate post-meal insulin resistance in prediabetic adults who regularly drink several cups of coffee each day, according to preliminary results of a randomized, double-blind, crossover study of 50 individuals.

The results "suggest that caffeine consumption promotes the development of type 2 diabetes in those people who are at greatest risk for this disease," James D. Lane, Ph.D., said at the annual meeting of the Society of Behavioral Medicine.

This is the first time that caffeine's effects on insulin resistance have been measured in habitual coffee drinkers with prediabetes, said Dr. Lane of the department of psychiatry and behavioral medicine at Duke University, Durham, N.C. More than 12 other studies have shown that caffeine administration acutely raises insulin resistance both in healthy, nondiabetic volunteers and in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Other studies have shown that coffee drinking is associated with a significantly reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, but these conclusions have been "based on correlational observations, not controlled, experimental studies," he noted.
In the current study, all participants had prediabetes (average impaired fasting blood glucose level of 111 mg/dL) and drank at least 2 cups of coffee per day, which was confirmed by a 7-day food diary. Each person fasted overnight and did not consume any caffeine, which preserved any tolerance that they had developed from their continued exposure to caffeine.

On the first day of testing, the participants received either 250 mg caffeine or placebo pills and had their fasting blood glucose levels measured. On the second day, they received the opposite of what they had taken on day 1. After 60 minutes, they had their blood glucose levels measured again, and they received a booster dose of 125 mg caffeine or placebo. They also drank a BoostPlus liquid meal replacement shake (75 g carbohydrates, plus fat and protein), which is similar to an oral glucose tolerance test except that it is more like a real meal, Dr. Lane said. Blood samples were drawn during each of the next 3 hours.

The total 375-mg dose of caffeine was equivalent to about 3 cups of brewed coffee, similar to what subjects consumed on average each day (409 mg).

For the first 41 participants with full results available, caffeine increased the 3-hour area under the curve (AUC) for plasma glucose by 15% more than placebo, though the result was not statistically significant. But the 3-hour AUC for plasma insulin was 18% greater with caffeine than with placebo--a significant difference. AUC is the standard method for measuring responses to oral glucose tolerance tests, said Dr. Lane. "'This pattern of results shows that caffeine did increase insulin resistance in these prediabetic subjects."

A normal response to the extra insulin produced with caffeine would have been to reduce the peak glucose level to a point lower than what was seen with placebo. But "'the glucose response was, if anything, a little larger in the caffeine condition," he said. "Given the conditions of our study, we think that this insulin resistance effect occurs every day as these prediabetic individuals and others like them consume caffeinated beverages in the real world."

[CoWriter]

"You and CS are doing me some good."
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I think we make a good team.  He has a way of catching what I miss....and he keeps me from getting too excited about things I can't change.


"I suppose the diet and exercise regimen I was on must have got it under control pre tox. It is back though, so diet and exercise are also back."
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The 15 lbs weight gain and you saying you had gained weight the previous times you treated was a good indicator.  The diet and exercise really helped you but it looks like treatment makes things worse.

If you eat the typical high carbohydrate, large portion diet, you'll have leftover glucose in your blood....which insulin will promply convert into fat.  The fatter you get, the less responsive to insulin your cells become.  Once insulin resistance sets in, your body, in an effort to maintain its normal equilibrium, produces even more insulin to overcome the resistance.  Because the insulin can't carry much glucose into your cells to be burned as fuel, the glucose remains in your blood instead.  Insulin converts some of the excess sugar to fat.  You get fatter and you also feel tired all the time, partly because your cells aren't getting the fuel they need, and partly because the excess insulin causes your blood sugar to fall below the optimal range of 70 (hypoglycemia).....and of course that will make you crave more carbohydrates.

All the things that have been happening to you.  You gained weight, feel tired, your blood sugar went down to 66 and you crave carbs.

The advantage is that this time you recognized it and you're doing something about it.

Suggestions:
1.  Consider stopping the Omega 3 (with your doctor's okay, of course).  It can increase fasting blood sugar levels, especially since you have IR.  It can also increase the risk of bleeding....and you have low platelets.
2.  Five small meals a day instead of three large ones.  Don't eat fruit by itself.  Have a snack that contains protein half hour before bed....helps control the fasting blood sugar.  
3.  Get enough sleep.  Inadequate sleep may lead to/increase insulin resistance and it is associated with weight gain even in people with excellent diets who exercise regularly.  In one study, when sleep was decreased from 8 to 4 hours per night, the resulting alterations in glucose metabolism in some cases resembled those of patients with Type 2 diabetes.
4.  Be careful not to get dehydrated.  High protein diets increase the risk of dehydration.  (it can also lead to increased calcium excretion and if I remember correctly, your calcium is a little low).  Dehydration can also cause an increase in blood sugar.

Bast of luck to you.  CS and I will be over in the cheering section if you need us....LOL

Co

[CoWriter]

Thanks lapis.  Did your study nurse say anything to you about cutting down caffeine intake?  

Co

[merryBe]

thanks for posting this...I've been trying with limited success to convince the caffienaholics to give it up. Alas the Java crowd won't give up them beans without a fight.

they can quote all day less fibrosis and cancer....but remember the tobacco lobby has their good research too.

when you factor in increases in heart anomalies, decrease in brain chemicals, overstimulation and burn out of neural signaling, dangerous chenges in electrolyete balances, decrease in blood and bone calcium, and now increase in insulin resistance, you would think the idea would be driven home.

caffiene is just a handful of bennys, or dexadrine, taken in liquid form. Coffee is just speed at it's essense, and it's not full of health benefits anymore than tobacco which "doctors recommended" was.

Studies pointing to one good oil in the coffee bean fail miserably at telling you what compounds and alkaloids that are harmful also exist in the "brew".

mb

[CoWriter]

I started a thread about coffee increasing glucose and insulin levels.  I don't see why I have to promote diet and exercise when I want to talk about coffee.

Plus, I don't have to....you do it every single time.


"My problem is not with valuable information you provice re the IR drugs , but that you tend skip over the base of the pyramid, and jump right into the drugs."
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And my problem is that you advocate diet, exercise and weight loss while encouraging people to eat a high fat diet twice a day to increase Riba absorption.  


"I thought you could do better than that :) "
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I got my point across to Baja, Willy and gauf.  I think I did really well.  

Co

[CoWriter]

"a high fat diet twice a day"

should say "a high fat meal twice a day"

Co

[Willy50]

You did and it is appreciated.  I don't think that the basics that Jim is advocating is going to get lost in the shuffle.

By the way Jim; I've drank coffee and run for years (although not simultaneously) .  I'm 55, a 5'-11" guy and a svelte 157 pounds.  I don't know how long I've had HCV but my damage is minimal.  My coffee  habit is probably my worst abuse.  Frankly, If I cut out coffee it would also eliminate half my sugar intake as well.  Even though I am pretty healthy I want to either stay healthy or become more healthy.  I'll have to admit that I drink way too much caffinated beverages.

We always look for something, anything that will give us an edge in TX and as much as I hate it I am starting to consider *limiting* my consumption.  I've also pulled back on the sugar some so that I may be 50-50 stevia.

I hated like hell hearing the bad news about coffee but when my NP mentioned it in the Vertex trial I paid attention.  When I saw this in another trial I also thought; huh!

I don't know what it means..... but I may have to cut down my consumption.

Thanks, Co...... I thought you'd be interested in that.
(but I have no recollection as to the reason I was given; it could have been hydration issues)

Willy