Dawn Phenonmenon

texastigerlily · 10-19-2009, 05:31 AM

Okay...I ready to tackle my morning BG. It was 135 this morning. I want it lower. What are some of the tricks people do to combat dawn phenonmenon?

hpjrt · 10-19-2009, 06:52 AM

I tried a number of things ... from low carb snacks before bed ... to higher carb snacks before bed ... and finally, I tried about 2 ounces of white wine before bed. The white wine seems to have helped the most, but it's not always predictable in terms of the effect.

This morning, however, my fasting BG was 119 [6.6] which isn't terrific, but better than the readings I usually get. This is also Monday, so I haven't done my exercises since Friday ... and that also boosts my blood sugars. Prior to trying the white wine, my fasting blood sugars would be closer to your 135 [8] ... even with exercising.

Of course, to be fair, having been on Metformin for several months, I find that my daily averages are coming down ... and they have been in the 6s for a week or so. I've had a few readings in the 5s ... so I'm hoping that the combination of low carb, Metformin, and exercise will have me be in the 5s consistently soon.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Mary

jem51 · 10-19-2009, 10:11 AM

first of all, make sure it really is DP.
that means knowing that it's lower either at bedtime or testing during the wee hours (id you get up to pee, or something).
mine may not be since i have GP.

of course then the fun begins as you find what works for you.
Dr Bernstiens book will give you some ideas.
if you haven't read it, give it a try from the library.
i did that and then purchased my own on e bay.

Griffen · 10-19-2009, 12:07 PM

Supplements.

I take cod-liver oil every morning and every night. Magnesium, too. And chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, and Coenzyme Q10. These are all things your blood-sugar regulation systems need, but don't get enough of from diet. I also take potassium, cinnamon, B-complex, vitamin E, and coconut oil daily.

Exercise at least three times a week - you don't have to kill yourself with it, but just walk briskly for 20-45 minutes three times a week. This helps your body regain insulin sensitivity.

I've had sugars under 105 every morning for the past week, doing this.

Marvin · 10-19-2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jem51

first of all, make sure it really is DP.
that means knowing that it's lower either at bedtime or testing during the wee hours (id you get up to pee, or something).
mine may not be since i have GP.

So how does that work? If it's lower in the wee hours then it was at bedtime, you have DP? Or vice versa?

txtapper · 10-19-2009, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastigerlily

Okay...I ready to tackle my morning BG. It was 135 this morning. I want it lower. What are some of the tricks people do to combat dawn phenonmenon?

dry wine works for me

E.W. · 10-20-2009, 01:16 AM

David Mendosa has a little article on this and talks about a lot of things
to try. Among them is eating a small green apple at bedtime, taking some
slow startch not to confused with corn startch at bed time or some apple cider vinigar. Of these the vinigar was the only thing that helps me it tends
to supress my dawn effect 10-15 points.

texastigerlily · 10-20-2009, 05:31 AM

I thought you couldn't drink alcohol if you take Metaformin. I think I'll try the apple cider vinegar. I've had it a few times at night, but I didn't think about my morn reading...gosh darn...

hpjrt · 10-20-2009, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastigerlily

I thought you couldn't drink alcohol if you take Metaformin. I think I'll try the apple cider vinegar. I've had it a few times at night, but I didn't think about my morn reading...gosh darn...

From the research I've done, there is a caution not to drink to excess while on Metformin, but there is no direction to abstain from alcohol while on Metformin.

shunsweets · 10-20-2009, 11:34 AM

How do you do the apple cider vinegar? How much? Just mix it in water?

I'd like to give it a try. Don't drink any alcohol so that's not an option.

sistertzu · 10-20-2009, 01:50 PM

When do you take your morning reading? If I take it immediately when rising it is lower than if I wait a few minutes.

Sis

texastigerlily · 10-20-2009, 05:40 PM

I usually take mine pretty quick, but not always. This is what I'm going to try tonight: I have some Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon tea. I'm going to use my larges coffee cup and steep 2 bags in half a cup of water for 5 minutes. Then I'll add the rest of the water and let it steep for 2 more minutes. Next I'll add a tbsp of apple cider vinegar. I'll report back on how it tastes (It's really strong to me, so I'm going to see if the apple cinnamon tea will cover it better). I'll also report on my BG in the morning. I've been consistently reading 134 for about 3 days now. I drank so ACV a few days ago. I know my BG was lower, but I don't recall what it was exactly. I wasn't drinking it for that, but for weight loss. ACV is water is hard to take.

sistertzu · 10-20-2009, 06:21 PM

Thanks tigerlilly I am anxious to know if it works.

Sis

texastigerlily · 10-21-2009, 05:19 AM

My BG is 123 this morning. I do believe the ACV had an effect.

CookinsForMe · 10-21-2009, 08:53 AM

There's really not much of a difference between 123 and 134 (they're basically the same number as far as BG reading goes) but its worth a shot for a few weeks to see if it helps. Did the tea cover the taste of the ACV?

10-19-2009, 05:31 AM	#1
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	Dawn Phenonmenon Okay...I ready to tackle my morning BG. It was 135 this morning. I want it lower. What are some of the tricks people do to combat dawn phenonmenon?

10-19-2009, 12:07 PM	#4
Griffen Senior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Posts: 156 Gallery: Griffen Stats: 397/347/220 WOE: Primal/Protein Power/Atkins Start Date: August 2009	Supplements. I take cod-liver oil every morning and every night. Magnesium, too. And chromium, alpha-lipoic acid, and Coenzyme Q10. These are all things your blood-sugar regulation systems need, but don't get enough of from diet. I also take potassium, cinnamon, B-complex, vitamin E, and coconut oil daily. Exercise at least three times a week - you don't have to kill yourself with it, but just walk briskly for 20-45 minutes three times a week. This helps your body regain insulin sensitivity. I've had sugars under 105 every morning for the past week, doing this. __________________ 28.2% complete Mini-Goals: 340 pounds by 11/01/09; average BGL 105 mg/dl (5.8 mmol/dl) by 11/01/2009 MET 11/11/09 325 pounds by 12/01/09, average BGL 100 by 12/01/09 To the human body, a spoonful of flour and a spoonful of sugar are identical.

10-20-2009, 01:16 AM	#7
E.W. Junior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 35 Gallery: E.W.	Dawn effect David Mendosa has a little article on this and talks about a lot of things to try. Among them is eating a small green apple at bedtime, taking some slow startch not to confused with corn startch at bed time or some apple cider vinigar. Of these the vinigar was the only thing that helps me it tends to supress my dawn effect 10-15 points.

10-20-2009, 05:40 PM	#12
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	I usually take mine pretty quick, but not always. This is what I'm going to try tonight: I have some Celestial Seasonings Apple Cinnamon tea. I'm going to use my larges coffee cup and steep 2 bags in half a cup of water for 5 minutes. Then I'll add the rest of the water and let it steep for 2 more minutes. Next I'll add a tbsp of apple cider vinegar. I'll report back on how it tastes (It's really strong to me, so I'm going to see if the apple cinnamon tea will cover it better). I'll also report on my BG in the morning. I've been consistently reading 134 for about 3 days now. I drank so ACV a few days ago. I know my BG was lower, but I don't recall what it was exactly. I wasn't drinking it for that, but for weight loss. ACV is water is hard to take. __________________ I am like melting butter. I'm going to melt until I sizzle! My Low Carb Journey - Blog http://www.lowcarbfriends.com/bbs/bl...b-journey.html

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-19-2009, 06:52 AM	#2
hpjrt Senior LCF Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 74 Gallery: hpjrt	I tried a number of things ... from low carb snacks before bed ... to higher carb snacks before bed ... and finally, I tried about 2 ounces of white wine before bed. The white wine seems to have helped the most, but it's not always predictable in terms of the effect. This morning, however, my fasting BG was 119 [6.6] which isn't terrific, but better than the readings I usually get. This is also Monday, so I haven't done my exercises since Friday ... and that also boosts my blood sugars. Prior to trying the white wine, my fasting blood sugars would be closer to your 135 [8] ... even with exercising. Of course, to be fair, having been on Metformin for several months, I find that my daily averages are coming down ... and they have been in the 6s for a week or so. I've had a few readings in the 5s ... so I'm hoping that the combination of low carb, Metformin, and exercise will have me be in the 5s consistently soon. Hope this helps somewhat. Mary

10-19-2009, 10:11 AM	#3
jem51 MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: south central OR Posts: 2,452 Gallery: jem51 Stats: oh so happy at 120 WOE: EFGT Start Date: controlled carb '97-98	first of all, make sure it really is DP. that means knowing that it's lower either at bedtime or testing during the wee hours (id you get up to pee, or something). mine may not be since i have GP. of course then the fun begins as you find what works for you. Dr Bernstiens book will give you some ideas. if you haven't read it, give it a try from the library. i did that and then purchased my own on e bay.

10-20-2009, 05:31 AM	#8
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	I thought you couldn't drink alcohol if you take Metaformin. I think I'll try the apple cider vinegar. I've had it a few times at night, but I didn't think about my morn reading...gosh darn...

10-20-2009, 11:34 AM	#10
shunsweets Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 358 Gallery: shunsweets Stats: 115 WOE: Bernstein's 6-12-12 Start Date: May 2003	How do you do the apple cider vinegar? How much? Just mix it in water? I'd like to give it a try. Don't drink any alcohol so that's not an option.

10-20-2009, 01:50 PM	#11
sistertzu Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 795 Gallery: sistertzu Stats: 244/177.9/165 WOE: atkins/whole food/grain free Start Date: owl 10/01/09	When do you take your morning reading? If I take it immediately when rising it is lower than if I wait a few minutes. Sis

10-20-2009, 06:21 PM	#13
sistertzu Senior LCF Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: California Posts: 795 Gallery: sistertzu Stats: 244/177.9/165 WOE: atkins/whole food/grain free Start Date: owl 10/01/09	Thanks tigerlilly I am anxious to know if it works. Sis

10-21-2009, 05:19 AM	#14
texastigerlily Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 560 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: texastigerlily Stats: 221/193/120 WOE: 20 below carbs a day	My BG is 123 this morning. I do believe the ACV had an effect.

10-21-2009, 08:53 AM	#15
CookinsForMe Senior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Northeast Texas Posts: 819 Blog Entries: 1 Gallery: CookinsForMe Stats: 188.8/171.2/140 WOE: Lower carb, moderate fat, & workouts 6 days a week Start Date: 6/24/09 for the umpteenth time.	There's really not much of a difference between 123 and 134 (they're basically the same number as far as BG reading goes) but its worth a shot for a few weeks to see if it helps. Did the tea cover the taste of the ACV?