Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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I recently purchased a blood glucose tester to track blood glucose levels (why? for fun). I've been testing frequently over the past few days. My post meal numbers seem to be "normal" (120-130s) but my fasting blood glucose is generally around 100 (99-104).

I know that blood glucose levels vary widely by individual but I would have expected a lower fasting level. I eat a pretty strict paleo diet with the occasional cheat. I exercise regularly (strength & CFE). My sleep isn't great because of a toddler who likes to come into our bed.

I've tried to search the web but haven't been able to find any good information on "normal" paleo bg levels and if 100 is high for a paleo eating cross-fitter. What does the number mean with regards to insulin resistance and what does it tell me about my insulin resistance? Are there other tests I should be doing with the monitor that will give me more information?

Links or general information on the topic is appreciated. Thanks.

flag	asked Dec 31 2011 at 16:20 Clint Peck 51●2●4

	Mine is usually 60-80 fasting. – Annie Dec 31 2011 at 17:03
	Whaddya mean by a strict Paleo? And how occasional is your cheat and with what? For someone on SAD, FBG ~100 suggests creeping insulin resistance. For someone doing low-carb ~100 could be normal but is still high, and things even out with lower post prandials. Get a HbA1c done. Fasting is also not reliable unless measured over the long haul. – Namby Pamby Dec 31 2011 at 19:01

eric · Answer 1 · 2011-12-31 16:35:14Z UTC

"Normal" varies... according to whom you read. what does normal even mean? A planetary average? most folks generally agree that 75-100 fasting is "normal".

For me normal means achieving a blood glucose level which does not cause the glycation which causes organ damage. Again... this level varies according to whom you read. I, as a type II diabetic, would love to find a link to accurate statistical data which shows organ damage and BG levels.

BTW, my BG levels are about the same as yours and I am a diagnosed type II who has lowered his BG levels thru diet and exercise. Maybe you should have an HB1ac test done.

Beth-WeightMaven · Answer 2 · 2011-12-31 16:42:18Z UTC

Paul Jaminet did a post on this that may help you. He writes:

My interpretation of the evidence from multiple sources: A plausible conclusion is that a high-carb diet produces a low fasting glucose (let’s say, 80 mg/dl), a PHD type 20% carb diet an intermediate fasting glucose (95 mg/dl), and a very low-carb diet a high fasting glucose (say, 105 mg/dl).

Seems like your BG levels are in this range so you needn't worry. That said, at-home BG meters typically have a higher than one might like standard deviation. If you haven't you might want to try testing your blood 3x and see what kind of a range you get.

Jeff · Answer 3 · 2011-12-31 16:43:23Z UTC

I bought a glucose meter for fun too!

Of course normal may vary but that does seem on the high side, I like to see 78-84.

CFE + lifting can be pretty intense, add to that a toddler and interrupted sleep and you could well be looking at some overtraining. I'd try having a week or so of dractically reduced training and see what the levels look like.

Poor sleep and poor blood glucose control are definitely linked

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140673699013768

Nance · Answer 4 · 2011-12-31 16:50:05Z UTC

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Paleo Diabetic seems to be a good source of information about your question. Dr Steve Parker has a number of interesting articles posted.

answered Dec 31 2011 at 16:50

Nance
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Wow, thanks for this link. I haven't seen it before! – PaleoDel Jan 2 2012 at 23:49

thhq · Answer 5 · 2011-12-31 17:42:35Z UTC

100 sounds a little high but OK. Your overall calorie consumption might affect it too, since fat and protein will add glucose gradually as a base load. I know that stress has an effect from personal experience...I ran a test while talking excitedly with a nutritionist and got a 200 in a fasted state. As I recall the explanation was adrenaline.

Josh M · Answer 6 · 2011-12-31 22:20:34Z UTC

Pre paleo I was type 2 diabetic, Fasting BG was 100-110, with spikes up to 160 after meals. I went cold turkey healthy eating with in a few months I hardly spiked over 120-130 and fasting averages now about 80-90. I am LC-VLC as that is what my body does best with. If I do decide to eat a lot of carbs, for what ever reason my BG will spike to maybe 125-130 then drops back to normal after a couple hours.

Normal Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

6 Answers