Why Did My Glucose Level Rise on a Carnivore Diet? - Dr. Ben Bikman

[@TampaBayChef]

Even if you eat zero carbs, your blood sugar can be higher if: 1. You have some sort of infection in your body, big or small. 2. You just started your diet and are in bad shape to begin with (pre-diabetic or diabetic). 3. Any inflammation or injury will cause higher blood sugars. 4. Mental stress. 5. Lack of sleep. Just be patient. It will eventually go down if you stick to limiting carbs.

[@kimpeterson8090]

So maybe the Leukemia is cause of high glucose?

[@JohnRossiRD]

Or other macros turn to glucose or like they said lack of glucose and glucagon releases stored carbohydrates. A blood sugar of 90 vs 70 is not concerning it normal. I would think 70 is kinda low anyway

[@kaweka260]

I was diagnosed with IBS. My A1C was 5.2 in Nov-Dec timeframe but now, it went up to 5.4. Glucose readings a little higher and stays over 100 longer while on Carnivore since trying to heal my IBS.

[@denisekrueger8745]

Well not entirely I’ve been carnivore for almost 2 years and my glucose stays around 100

[@AdoptionAwareness-v6k]

@@denisekrueger8745 I think that's a great number! Try over 300!!! I can't seem to get mine to go down to the 100s!

[@herbalannie7707]

I was glad to hear Dr. Bikman say he didn't know and that there was a study going on about this now. His theory about blood cells is interesting, but I will be looking forward to the results of the study. For those of us diabetic we never like to see fasting blood glucose high in the morning.

[@Peter-vn5jq]

From my research, it looks like a high blood glucose level is only one half of the pathogenesis equation for cvd and all the other diabetes complications. The other is hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Insulin dysregulation itself seems to produce a lot of the diabetic complications- even if your blood sugar is still kept "under control" by sky-high insulin levels. Blood sugar itself only starts causing trouble at quite a bit higher levels, over 140 or so, what gives prediabetics heart disease and stroke is hyperinsulinemia itself causing endothelial dysfunction and metabolic syndrome. A good source on that is Dr Pradip Jamnadas here on youtube, he's not a carnivore, but I suspect its just a matter of time, he's already loudly proclaiming that animal fats aren't the problem. What comes next is just my uneducated hypothesis, I am not a doctor or a researcher. It goes something like this- on carnivore, we obviously don't eat carbs, so the only glucose we get in our bloodstream comes from our liver. Which likely means that our body gets exactly as much glucose as it wants and needs, because I can't think of a metabolic process that our bodies do in excess to need, assuming everything is working correctly. It just wouldn't make sense, doing this sort of thing takes energy, and our bodies are incredibly efficient, thrifty when spending metabolic energy. So by that logic, I suspect that we're not getting a large insulin spike to control that blood glucose like we would if we ate a ton of carbs- because we're not getting any excess of glucose to begin with, we get a steady supply from our liver on an as needed basis. This could be quite easily tested I think, simply measure the insulin response of long term carnivores, to account for the time it takes to adapt to the diet, and see if they're hyperinsulinemic/insulin resistant. My guess would be no, judging by the incredible numbers of people who effectively reversed type 2 diabetes on this diet. It all fits, but I'd love to know if there's actual research to support my ramblings here.

[@tprev400]

The problem is there is no research on Carnivore specifically. I think Ben Bikman is the closest thing we have to research but he is limited to his parameters in his studies. There is a ton of anecdotal data, much of which is provided by individuals testing for themselves and low to no-carb docs who actually do clinical work with patients around this WOE. The unfortunate thing is a lot of the loudmouths in the space deny the increase in blood glucose or try to rationalize it even though they don't know the answer to the reason why or if it is harmful. It's reasonable to believe the spikes are a big part of the BG causing damage but it is also the chronic heightened levels that cause damage. In my case, all factors of metabolic issues indicate that I am not insulin resistant, including having optimal trigs, good HDL numbers, optimal waist-to-height ratio, good insulin levels, c-peptide, etc. The only marker that shows concern is heightened blood glucose which I can reduce by my consumption of food. Doesn't matter how much exercise I do, or sleep, water, etc. The one lever is the amount of energy density I eat daily. I can't say 100% it is protein or fat individually cause you can't separate them or test them individually, I can only play around with ratios and it is simply the overall density that seems to matter. I suspect it is protein but I don't know for sure if it is that alone. This of course seems to rule out, to an extent, other factors some may try to claim, that it is not the dietary intake, given that is the one lever I can control my levels with. Maybe one day it will just all normalize, I am not holding my breath though, been doing this for nearly two years.

[@Primetime_dads]

My biggest concern is, hearing people’s fasting insulin increasing. Dr berry has been low carb fir years, and his fasting insulin is a 7 My current fasting insulin is 3.5, i just started keto/ low carb a few days ago. I just wanted to try it out but i dont want my fasting insulin to rise. I wonder why this happens with low carbs as well

[@minagelina]

Bart Ehrman talks about eating one big meal to get an insulin hit. I don't know that I could do that, but that's something to look into

[@wocket42]

You can basically check insulin levels at home: if you have elevated ketones your insulin will be low.

[@Gail-ux2ly]

My solution to this problem was to stop fasting and spread my protein over two or three meals per day instead of a massive dose once a day.

[@M.Sforza]

Did it work?

[@Gail-ux2ly]

@@M.Sforza yes, it does work. My eating window is 8 till 4, with two smaller meals and a snack. My glucose is now normal.

[@Singer2911]

​@@Gail-ux2lywhat about your insulin though?

[@Gail-ux2ly]

@@Singer2911 I rarely take insulin and when I do it is only about 5 units.

[@belle42]

@@Gail-ux2ly so that’s still IT fasting with an 8 hour window to eat and 16 hours of fasting. Nice!

[@GramJujitsu_Carnivore]

My BG in the morning is 100-114 now 🤔My A1c after a year carnivore came down 5.9 to 5.6. Carnivore one year. I was keto prior carnivore getting rid of prediabetis. I think I should be happy about this!

[@frankwhite1288]

Love hearing you people complain and readings in the 90s, mine tops 200 and my A1C went up 2 points 90 days into carnivore. I really need some encouragement

[@MP-uq3zr]

Eat a lot more fat with your meat. Butter, tallow, lard etc. and fatty cuts of meat. Lower protein a bit and definitely get a glucometer if you can to track how much protein you can eat without spiking your blood glucose and to measure ketones

[@Gail-ux2ly]

@@frankwhite1288 reduce the amount of protein that you eat at one time. Split the protein into two or three smaller meals.

[@LK-jn4uj]

Two things to consider. #1 - go for a walk after your meals. #2 - trial berberine

[@doddgarger6806]

Dr Paul Mason talks about a1c on carnivore check him out

[@doddgarger6806]

Sounds like you are diabetic tho honestly, lot more fat and less protein might really help

[@TopgunB]

So on keto and IF my glucose was below 90 often below 80 but on carnivore my morning glucose goes up to 105 even though I do not eat breakfast. This lasts intil about 1400 when glucose goes down to 90 or below even if I eat at lunch. My glucose does not ever seem to go above 110. I feel great I have lost weight and BP has come down from often 145/80 to 110/70. I can't believe this higher glucose is a problem. I have not repeated HbA1c yet. Judy it would be nice if you got Dr Bikman back again because I know he has completed more research on this!

[@davidcline4286]

Same here. Sometimes It is my opinion that these numbers and charts are nothing more than a means to generate revenue to the pharma companies. And after the last 3 years we know they can never be trusted again. They want you sick.

[@clutzfrmr3645]

The so called, "dawn effect" results in normally higher glucose levels in the morning.

[@jacquibeautyandwellness]

Wow This was so reassuring and helpful as I just got blood work back after being almost 60 days carnivore and my A-1 C was elevated and glucose slightly… Not gonna worry

[@AustonP]

I am a reactive hypoglycemic. I haven't had any sugar issues since starting carnivore. My A1C is 5.1. My sugars in the morning are a little high but i don't feel sick. When I say high I mean 105ish. I've been on carnivore a month now. I overall feel better and haven't had any sugar issues. I felt sick sick sick prior to doing carnivore. BGM all over the place. I was working with my endocrinologist before regularly. Haven't had to be seen since.

[@Reality852]

I started the carnivore diet on May 29, 2022. In April 2022 my A1C was 7.8. My first set of labs were on August 31, 2022. My A1C dropped to 6.1. 3 months on the carnivore diet dropped my A1C 1.7 points. My fasting glucose for these labs was 138. I am still thrilled. No more diabetes!

[@JimWooddell]

Keep going! It will get better!

[@marianne1959]

Reversed my T2D on ketovore in a ayear with carbs under 10g, OMAD. Now on carnivore....BG up to 130 most mornings :(. Also gained 7 lbs in last 30 days. Tried those bc I plateaued for 6 months and still have wt to lose

[@Stuart.Branson.]

My thoughts exactly. Healthier person = more activity going on inside. It's also why you should not be worried about high cholesterol readings. "Glucose" level is obviously not related to eating carbs.

[@paulhostetler1039]

This is for all people that take supplements!!!! I have just worn my CGM for one week and found out that my vitamins and supplements were the cause of my high glucose. I never saw the extra ingredients listed like maltodextrin which really spike your glucose.

[@Aliciaskinsecret]

Eating a high-protein low-carb diet gives me tons of energy and my protein has fat Keeps me at the size I’m comfortable with I think people need to do what’s best for their body

[@djmingia0981]

This video makes a lot of sense and clears a lot up for me. 3 months carnviore and tested with only an 82 fasting glucose but a 5.5 HA1C. Even though I'm a 30 yr old male in excellent shape around 10% BF on a pure carnivore diet.

[@rhondaw5615]

I took my sugar before eating at 9am it was 90 which is higher than it was on keto, 2 hours after eating ground beef with onions, one chicken liver, 2 keto home made cookies, some sourcream it was back to 90. So I guess this is OK? Judy I am expecting your book to be delivered to me TODAY! I am so excited to learn more!!!!

[@NutritionwithJudy]

Yes, that sounds pretty good. Hope the book has been helpful!

[@javierorozco201]

Is there a continuous insulin meter to see how high insulin is spiking

[@javierorozco201]

Wouldn't that be better if the hemoglobin lasted 2 months instead of 3 get rid of that glicoginated glucose sooner😁

[@kartpilot63]

I started eating carnivore 12 days ago and my fasting glucose has gone from 125 (eating the SAD most of my life) to 85 eating OMAD, eating nothing but fatty beef, pork, bacon and eggs. I've also gone from 245 down to 236.2 lbs! So not everybody's fasting blood sugar goes up after eating carnivore! Body pain is also much better.

[@olesiana2415]

My first 3 weeks were the same, I even lost 10 pounds, but now for almost 2 months my fasting BG ranges from 98 to 110 when it was no higher 93-95. So from what other people saying I understand I should cut a little bit on protein and add more fat. DR. Berg even mentioned something about that it can take up to 12 weeks for things to get back to normal.

[@c-za.c7085]

​@@olesiana2415do stephanie keto person says cut back on protein

[@ayredantara6838]

I am on a carnivore diet for years, I am obese and insulin resistant, doing carnivore I gain more than 20 pounds. My glucose every morning is between 110 - 140! I realized that more protein spikes my sugar levels and my insulin goes to 49. Using a CMG sensor, if I eat more protein, my glucose levels start to go up 2 am and get down 12:00pm, so, I have high glucose levels for 10 hours a day. If I eat more fat this levels get better and glucose, insulin and inflammation goes down, I seep well, I use red light at night, I don use soap besides face and hands, I work out, I take magnesium, I avoid plastic cups, but still is happening the total opposite of what must be happening... Why? Thank you so much

[@darkl3ad3r]

Experiencing the exact same thing, except the weight gain yet. Still losing weight but I target 1200 calories a day so maybe that's why.

[@collineare]

WOW! An answer to my pondering?: bloodwork results very good after nearly one year carnivore (sometimes carbs with yoghurt) BUT ELEVATED A1C (earlier with carbs always in range 4.7 - 5.1 now 5.4). Also LDL high but i understand that it probably isn't a problem.

[@TopgunB]

This what my blood tests did 4 months into Carnivore from a keto base. Hb went from 15,4 th 16,4. Haematocrit from 48 to 51. My morning glucose went from 85 to 100 but HbA1C stayed stable at 5.2. Fasting insulin went from 2 to 12. Total Cholesterol 200 to /220. Altho ApoB only 100 mg/dl. Lp(a) < 5 mg/dl. Lost 6kg lots of energy BP down. So in summary fasting glucose and fasting insulin went up as well as ldl and total cholesterol. I feel so good my gut tells me those changes must be for the good. There is still a lot we have to learn. The true picture is ONLY seen with an OGTT including measuring insulin levels and how quickly it returns to normal!

[@terrifictomm]

I've been concerned about the effects of hyperinsulinemia so I've tried to reduce the amount of insulin I inject each day. I thought going carnivore would lower my glucose levels enough that I could stop taking insulin. My fasting glucose on carnivore, taking no slow-release insulin at night, is between 160 and 190. When I was mostly juicing green veggies and eating lean chicken breasts my fasting glucose without slow-release insulin at night, was between 110-130. My fasting insulin last week on carnivore was 13. My fasting insulin before going carnivore was 20. I didn't know to test for fasting insulin when I was juicing My body is holding on to my fat like a cat on a rope. After four months eating carnivore I've lost barely ten pounds. And that wasn't steady. One week for no discernable reason I regained over five pounds! It took me at least three weeks to re-lose those pounds! One day my weight was 279. The next it was back to 285. It's taken me over a week to get down to 283. I'm playing this by ear because the sheet music is thin and not very reliable. I really should keep better logs. Daily would be best.

[@sveneriksson7319]

Add ALCAR in diet.....

[@terrifictomm]

@@sveneriksson7319 What is that and why should I take it? Do you have personal experience with it? Why are you so enthusiastic about it? Everyone "believes" in their supplements, otherwise they wouldn't take them. But as I said, the data is thin.

[@sveneriksson7319]

It is needed for your body to metabolize fat properly... I have deficiency in that aminoacid added it 2 weeks ago daily... It totaly changed my life... Drop - 8.8lbs in 14 days And my ketones up from 0.6-0.9 up to 1.6 -2.0mmol/l Blodsugar drop to average 72mg/dl

[@sveneriksson7319]

@@terrifictomm kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGTJgGiXialpgLc Look from 26 minutes

[@i.mancuso738]

The study has been done… can you do an update with recommendations…? Happy to share my numbers… My glucose… fasted is now 160 throughout the day sinks after eating and goes up again after a couple of hours…before adapting a carnivore way of live.. it was on average…120… keto… this is why I started carnivore in the first place… Wearing a CGM Not sure if I stay on carnivore…

[@Mofiac]

The question of why blood glucose will maintain a higher yet steady concentration is explained in the "Carnivore Connection" paper authored by Dr. J Brand Miller, et al.

[@SG-ji5ij]

Dr. Ted Naiman also explains it. It's do to fat in the diet. Unlike protein that spices glucose quicker and higher, fat creates a slow gradual rise in glucose levels. Eating a fatty meal at dinner will make morning fasting glucose numbers increse.

[@bostonjackson9384]

Is it unhealthy to hold a high carnivore diet-induced fasting glucose score?

[@bhampatty1]

On keto, my glucose was around 90. Since being carnivore for nearly 2 months, it is very often at 125. It concerns me so much that I am considering going back to keto. Everytime I watch a video about glucose rising on carnivore, they never mention a number as high as I am having.

[@luciavasile2895]

Same here😘

[@inlovewithhumanity4840]

Same here... and I am not loving the weight gain at all :(

[@alenakarpekina4907]

@@inlovewithhumanity4840 you are eating too much protein. Try cutting down and up the fat. Also, potassium may help.

[@robocrip1]

Same here

[@Michelle_with2Ls]

I share the same thought as @Alena Karpekina

[@tprev400]

Once the Carnivore community starts to rationalize higher BG, I would really start becoming very skeptical of what they are doing and why they are doing it. I have been strict carnivore for well over a year and it has become very clear that blood glucose strips and A1C results that as I increase protein my BG levels will go back to type 2 levels (140's to 160's) and even reduced amounts I can't get it below 90's. Not just fasting, but pre-meal, 30, 60, 90 to 120 minutes post meal and before going to bed they are 90's plus, sometimes low 100's. I have no other metabollic issues, just BG. I have to eat below 100g of protein per day just to keep them around 90's and that means to stay strict carnivore, even with 80 to 85 percent fat, I am undereating. If I go by what my body tells me, I would eat 2 to 3 lbs of meat and end up as Type 2 diabetic. It seems to me, they really don't know, they are just guessing. Love eating like this, yet I don't believe it is optimal. Better than SAD, for sure. I don't think they realize, that excessive protein could have detrimental effects on individuals, not same as excessive glucose, but it could still not be ideal. Wish I could find some unbiased evidence of this, that doesn't seem to exist.

[@ny10980]

Dr. Bikman is the most unbiased info you will find. As a carnivore I have glucose measurements that aren't as optimal as I would think/hope, but yet they NEVER get above 120 when staying true to no/low carb. And just like in this short video, there seems to be an answer to my HbA1c rise and my perpetual 100 fasting glucose score. The body is a precise machine that if you look long enough you will usually find a rational answer. And as a Carnivore I feel truly amazing while just turning 68. Never would have thought my health would actually be getting better as I get older! Nutrition is a science not an ideology...that always has a scientific answer.

[@tprev400]

@@ny10980 That is a fair statement, yet it doesn't prove it is optimal, just proves it is better than SAD, which anyone eating low carb learns very quickly. What we don't know, and I don't think anyone really does, is if BG is at 100 plus most of the time, is that still causing damage that is unnecessary. What I see is some of these big names will try to rationalize it, possibly misleading people for the sake of book sales, website subscriptions, clicks, views, and quite honestly ignorance and arrogance. Dr Barry comes to mind, his outright denial that protein will have increased BG and blames it on stuff like carb creep and lab errors. Bikman I do believe attempts to be unbiased but he is still restricted to his studies which is a very narrow scope when considering all the people out there who are having the same experience I am having as a strict carnivore. Is Carnivore better than SAD, YES! Is it the healthiest way, that is the big question mark.

[@JohnRossiRD]

Get with a registered dietitian

[@tprev400]

@@JohnRossiRD God NO! Why? So they can tell you it is OK to eat 60 grams of carbs per meal and keep you on the diabetic roller coaster for the rest of your life while adding pill after pill after pill destroying your quality of life. They are the last people you ever take nutrition advice from, they practice guideline medicine which is why 92% of the country has at least one metabolic disorder.

[@ny10980]

@@JohnRossiRD A Registered Dietician = Professional Fraud with DOGMA smeared all over their lips!

[@shopcarney]

would long-lived hemoglobin affect hemocrit, red cell count, platelet count, etc?

[@kenphillips6234]

My A1c went up to 5.8 from 5.4 on carnivore? Fasting BS at 125 everyday. Yeah I'm panicking.

[@jerseyjim9092]

You ever find out what the issue was. Mine has gone from 5.3 to 5.7.

[@computertooter]

Do you by any chance check your keytones? I've been carnivore for a little over 4 years and have been surprised when my glucose is between 95 and 105 when it had been 78 to 85 or so. Why that puzzles me is my keytones stay high, anywhere from 1.8 to as high as 4.5. So my meter is telling I am in high nutritional ketosis. I thought if your ketones are high than insulin is low. I also wonder if my age has anything to do with that as I am 70.

[@whatsgnu]

@@jerseyjim9092 Mine did the same. I'm not worried because all other markers are good.

[@M.Sforza]

My fasting is 140 now…Im really panicking.

[@Renee-radc]

@@computertooter Carnivore for 4.5 years and my morning glucose is now up to 102. I'm 67. I'm wondering if I was eating too much protein?

[@silverblack5475]

On 3rd week of carnivore and my glucose has gone from high 90s , low 100s to 118 -120 .....i know these arent high #s but i was really expecting it to drop to the 80s , honestly i dont care if it never gets down to the 80s, im fine with low 100s , i just dont want it to keep on rising

[@kenshey3912]

Read up on glycine. I take collagen for the glycine which controls uric acid (when tied with tryptophan in science papers). A few remarks cited glucose rises

[@supplynomore6471]

6 weeks on carnivore, and I just began morning testing of blood. I am consistent at 135-136. There is not a carb in my diet. I checked my Keto diet range from 2017 and the range then when I was eating veg plus protein/fat was 128-131. It falls to 110 at 10PM, 4 hours after the last meal. I have had two full blood panels and my A1C was 5.4 and then 5.2 in the past 5 years. It is so discouraging to hear that a fasting blood glucose should be 100 or less. What do I do? Try kicking up the fat intake?

[@JimWooddell]

Ben, I am one on a carnivore diet. I have done so many blood glucose and blood ketone tests I can not count. However, I know that if I eat fat only from butter and beef lard, my ketone level increases while my blood glucose remains fairly steady. And if I eat a lot of red meat, my ketone level is suppressed. So much so, I measure levels of 0.1 - 0.5 mmol/L while blood glucose is fairly normal on the higher side. Of course, my activity levels make changes....making it very difficult to test and understand the process. I honestly do not understand it all but I am fascinated by it.

[@catherineschwoerer6614]

Same exactly for me! I wish I could test all things, all the time, and nerd out on it!

[@JimWooddell]

@@catherineschwoerer6614 I am in the middle of a test which includes blood glucose, breath ketones and blood ketones. Using a Biosense breath ketone monitor and a KetoMojo GK+ meter. I will post up a short video in about 2 weeks for those that would like to see what the results look like. I honestly can not explain the differences I am seeing and it certainly is not following publish data between the two devices. I have lots of data collected so far.

[@bostonjackson9384]

@@JimWooddell Do you have a link to your video?

[@johnf.hebert1409]

stick to 2:1 fat to protein ratio. For every 50 grams of protein eat 100 grams of fat.

[@jeannedigennaro6484]

Very interesting: A1c and carnivore. I’m adding more fat, and slightly lowering protein.

[@bostonjackson9384]

Has it worked to lower your blood sugars? What ratios are you eating?

[@benphartine]

Very insightful about the A1c measurements.

[@phearlesspharaoh3697]

50 days in mine has been in the 200’s in the last week! Only doing meat, eggs and dairy sometimes, and still taking metformin and glipizide. I think it’s my body adjusting so im not going to worry about it, and will keep exercising.

[@missmarielyne6697]

Dairy comes to be the problem for some people (like me) I really have to cut it out for now... and maybe use a LITTLE LITTLE later on but... dairy is full of sugar

[@sleepdepot9790]

Any updates on the study of elevated fasting BG? Thanks

[@plarkin6433]

Dr. Ken Berry yt is great about a carnivore diet too. Thank you

[@mariomenezes1153]

Thank you for this video! Bit late to the party but it makes absolute sense. Helps me explain my numbers with a fasting insulin that's negligible, fasting glucose in the 90s but an A1C of 5.6.

[@jagpreetb]

Same here. What's fasting insulin Ur experiencing

[@mariomenezes1153]

@@jagpreetb 9.6 u[IU]/ml. And I do eat some carbs but tend to eat between 5 and 10 pm only.

[@jagpreetb]

@@mariomenezes1153 thanks. Isn't 9units high (usual is between 2 and 25 μIU/ml)

[@mariomenezes1153]

@@jagpreetb I don't really know. I keep thinking I should go to a zero carb diet but my will is weak 😊 I do long periods of fasting daily (like 18-6), do the occasional 3 day fast (water only) and walk between 20 and 28 miles a week. I rarely feel hungry and have a lot of energy. Should I feel the need, I am sure I can go to a zero carb diet but don't feel the need yet. I have dropped 30 lbs and am maintaining 170 lbs for the last 3 years. I feel I can drop to 160, on a zero carb if needed. I feel great and full of energy. My calcium score is zero and I am 62 years old. Feel better than I did 20 years ago. Something seems to be working. It's important to remember that good is not the enemy of the best. As long as you are healthy and enjoying life, you are on the right path 😊

[@jagpreetb]

@@mariomenezes1153 wonderful

[@curiouskitten]

Wondering if endogenous glucose is as glycating as exogenous (dietary) glucose. Anyone?

[@wocket42]

It's the same

[@sholbk]

I eat a carnivore woe and am wearing a cgm. My blood glucose goes up to 130-140 mg/Dl when I eat red meat. My A1C’s on my last blood test was 5.6. Thank you for this video. I was concerned about what was going on.

[@JimWooddell]

Do you do any fasting? I found 24 hour fast helps kick me into ketosis and lowers my blood glucose. I look for the clues my insulin is lowering. Exercise really helps me too!

[@superluci58]

@@JimWooddell correct

[@i.mancuso738]

But? If I got it right given that the blood cells live longer … up to 50%…the A1C will never be in a „normal“ range? Or do I have to extend the retesting to 6 months to get the right picture? Furthermore I would love to see a follow up on this once the study has been done…❤❤❤❤ please!!!!

[@msfitnessnut]

My BG runs 80-95 in the morning which in turn lowers my ketone level. My ketones (I've tested am and pm) rarely increase over 0.3 and I've been keto and carnivore (last year) since 2017. Still makes me worry that I am not benefited from the ketosis state of fat burning efficiently.

[@charis808]

Sounds like you need to eat more fat. Track your macros

[@Jack-hy1zq]

My HbAlc is 6.0 (had it tested again this morning). In the meantime, or more long term, I also started taking berberineHCL this morning. Been keto-then-carnivore 6-7 months. My weight loss stalled months ago. Fingers crossed the berb works.

[@JimWooddell]

You should not have any need for berberine....or any other supplement for that matter. How are your blood glucose levels? A1C readings can be off. Ben Bikman talks about this is one or more of his interview videos.

[@JimWooddell]

@@Jack-hy1zq How are your daily blood glucose readings???

[@Jack-hy1zq]

@@JimWooddell I haven't checked for a while. Thanks for reminding me. That's the thing...when I did check my fasting blood glucose for a few weeks (up until about a month ago) it was reading 4.9-5.2...when I told my doctor that there is a mismatch between FBG + HbA1c, she said that's because A1c also measures post prandial BG. So I've not really questioned that explanation. Mmm 🤔....best thing is for me to get the latest test results. And i HAVE to find out what my insulin is doing. An HbA1c test without an insulin test doesn't get to the bottom of things.

[@Jack-hy1zq]

I accidentally deleted a post requesting an update. My Alc is now 5.6

[@RV-there-Yet]

@@Jack-hy1zq Hey Jack~ interested how the berberine went for you, if indeed you gave it a good run, & what your thoughts are? *Thanks, in advance- if you've got a minute.

[@haparoundthehouse6618]

DAG accumulation from saturated fatty acids desensitizes insulin stimulation of glucose uptake in muscle cells-2001 study

[@chrissvenningson1747]

As a type 2 diabetic, now eating 95% carnivore, if my glucose is below 60, I feel irritable and almost shaky. 65 and up I feel amazing.

[@seekingthelight6401]

I get shakey and anxious till I've eaten now I'm carnivore. Also type 2 diabetic. I don't normally eat till after midday. I'm reading Dr Bikmans book which is very interesting! "Why we get sick" I highly recommend it 👍🏻

[@Bass.Player]

Sounds like you are still taking BS meds?

[@vanihansen2136]

I'm diabetic. My blood sugar rises when I eat meat. Not as much as everything else in the world. It also rises more slowly. But I'm curing my diabetes right now. The closer I get to curing it the more it rises.

[@Xpingwinz]

This is interesting because as I just got my blood work done and my glucose was at 102 (high per my doctor) but my red blood cell count had went up as well (currently 5.72). I’ve been on the carnivore diet for 10 months now, so for sure there is a correlation to some degree. What is also interesting is that my bilirubin (bili total) has always been a little elevated since my 20’s (currently 43), but it has gone from 1.6 to 2.2.

[@AdoptionAwareness-v6k]

I have been a diabetic for over 30 years and I am 67 years old. My A1C at one point was 7.8. Unfortunately, my A1C now is over 11! I discontinued taking my meds, as I was on Mounjaro which caused me to lose 26 lbs, which I didn't need to lose! My husband and I started the Carnivore diet 5 weeks ago. Mainly because I have a friend who was able to reverse his diabetes within a short period of time. For me, I'm not so blessed. My dawn reading is over 300 every morning and I've not been able to get my reading below 200! I'm so discouraged. I have actually gained 5 lbs but just cannot get my BG down! We eat lots of meat, fish, chicken, eggs, bone broth, etc. Maybe I'm being impatient, but what else can I do?

[@egg399.]

You should eat more fat. 1g protein per 1kg body weight and 2g fat. eg a 400g steak has 100g protein, 100g fat, 200 of water/other. So if you weight 200lb try two 400g steaks and 200g of butter a day. You might be dairy intolerant so you can switch to other fats. You need fat for energy. Don’t overeat protein otherwise that will turn into glucose by the liver if you are constantly have excess every day.

[@egg399.]

Beef is better than chicken breast. The legs/thighs/brown meal and skin of chicken is where the fat is. Eat fatty fish too.

[@tubecoatue]

Very helpful discussion. Thank you.

[@DaveIrish66]

My fasting glucose was 100. Fasting insulin 3 a1c 5.6 2 years on carnivore , very low carbs.

[@DocSiders]

Glucagon (high with lower Insulin) stimulates Glucose Release or Production (from fats or protein). I can MAKE this happen by high protein (beef) snacking in the middle of the night.... stimulating Glucagon Release. FBS 2 to 3 hours later averages ~10 - 15 mg/dl higher Not eating any protein AFTER ~2:00 in the afternoon tends to result in lower fasting glucose the next morning... below my 96 mg/dl Average.

[@RaginEagle]

I did the carnivore diet for 5 days. Blood sugars went from 120 to 140 till the morning, and it was 175. I really do not understand.

[@beslemeto]

Maybe body increases blood sugar while using stored fat in your liver?

[@gitboxgal]

Stephanie Person is addressing this on her KZbin.

[@luigilamorte7753]

Thank you. Extremely informative. It has put my mind at ease.

[@cherylpaniccia4920]

Great interview, as always. 👏👏👏

[@briansmith2125]

I started a carnivore diet 30 days ago with a fasting glucose number at 120. I was just 159 in the morning today which is 30 days in. Something is way wrong here it would seem.

[@clutzfrmr3645]

Compare that with a test later in the day to eliminate the "dawn effect" factor that might be causing the higher morning levels.

[@russrasmussen9514]

If you want to loose weight do omad one meal a day you may have to work into it then when your there throw in some prolonged fasting 2 days maybe 3 sucks in the beginning but once your body adjust its not to bad

[@The59lincoln]

How do we know the Non native EMF’s from the CGM’s aren’t messing with our body processes?

[@KarlKrassnitzer-mm8wb]

Interesting how different is everybody. Myself I experience the opposite. Fasting glucose in keto 100- 110. On carnivore 80- 90 mg/dl

[@fifewaterservices3415]

It is interesting how we differ. 2 years on keto, FBG is , 90, A1c is 5.8. Strange since my BG is rarely above 110 even after meals. My A1C should be much lower. Fasting insulin is 3, TG is 52, HDL is 85. Metabolically healthy, low CRP. 67 yo and CT angiogram shows no plaque, soft or calcified The only feasible explanation is longer lived RBC. I feel our medical experts have tunnel vision and dont seem to be able to think outside the box. They are too wedded to viewing things black and white only.

[@patriceferguson7340]

What are you seasoning your food with? My blood sugar levels are in the low 80s to high after meals 105. Over all A1c is 4.7 - 4.8. But I eat raw carnivore and only beef and lamb and fat.

[@thewrightoknow]

Thanks for posting this Judy, describes me! Blessings

[@samanthazehr4136]

I think one part missing. The whole reason you look at fasting glucose is to correlate what insulin is doing as that’s the baddie. If glucagon is stimulated and muscles take it up without insulin the. Higher glucose may not be an issue as insulin stays low.

[@wocket42]

And insulin will below if you have elevated ketones

[@Harve955]

Remembering that Insulin is required for, among other things, kidney function related to electrolyte retention and it is not healthy to flat line insulin I.E blood glucose levels continuously or even consistently over significant periods of time.

[@GoneCarnivore]

On a standard diet my blood sugar is in the 70s between meals but on carnivore it's in the 90s between meals.

[@ArtLoverScotland]

My doctor just sent me a letter saying I am pre diabetic. I am full carnivore. Have been over a year. I just did a reading and my BG = 5.8 normal! So your idea about circulating red blood cells and glucogenesis appears correct.

[@praiseYAHalways]

isn't glucose stored in the liver, muscles, etc and it gets released into your body even without eating because your body normally runs high and that level is what it is used to being at? So, on Keto (over time) that stored glucose gets used up and your BG's will reduce...but this takes time and NO cheating! That is what seems to be happening with me. Also, exercise seems to be a great way to burn of extra stored glucose when it's released. I'm not a doctor but I know what I see and what I feel...When it come to my body, I'll take measurable knowledge over speculation any day 😋 (t2d btw...soon to be X t2d )

[@rachelmoore5079]

Oh wow I’ve been wondering why my glucose is so high!

[@goforward123]

10 months carnivore 69M glucose high A1C high CRP high RBC count low RBC size large (?) No ill feelings. I did have Afib semi controlled. Now in rhythm tests are similar. I feel good. Ideas? Thanks!

[@tracie21sim]

Such awesome answers!

[@Singer2911]

Ate meat at dinner then got headache (pork roast and piece of bacon and cabbage). Now sleepy. Very strange. Doesn’t happen at all meals... did i eat too much meat?

[@tas1624]

Excess protein can not be stored and must be converted into carbohydrates which is slow process.

[@thetruth2230]

A year ago I was diagnosed with hypertension and pre diabetic. I started eating healthy and lost 25 lbs. On a regular diet with plenty of grains and veggies, fish and chicken, my morning fasting glucose was at 100-115. I started doing carnivore a few weeks ago and my morning fasting glucose is 125-140. I’m actually worried. I’ve seen higher blood sugar throughout the day on this diet than I ever did just eating a “normal” healthy diet. I fast most of the day and usually eat between 4-8 pm. I also am not having normal bowel movements. I have lost a few more pounds eating this way but I’m not convinced it’s better than eating, say a Mediterranean diet. I’m going to give this a few more weeks but I may be switching to something that feels better for me unless I find evidence that the issues I’m experiencing will subside with time.

[@WynterFyre]

I'm SO glad to read this!! I'm twenty days in and I tested my blood this morning. 165!! This is SCARY! It's so hard to know who to listen to!! All meat? All vegetables? No meat? No vegetables?! It's crazy!

[@thetruth2230]

@@WynterFyre yes, it is crazy! You have to listen to YOUR body and what it’s trying to tell you. Too many people are just trying to jump on the bandwagon with this diet because it’s the latest fad. I believe humans are omnivores and have ALWAYS consumed some carbs and I don’t believe having some fruits and veggies is detrimental in any way.

[@chrissvenningson1747]

Protein raises glucose as well. Not nearly as much as carbs, but eating more fat should stabilize this. It’s not entirely clear if a person like me with type 2 diabetes can totally get off the Metformin.

[@christopherh2352]

I've seen numerous people claim fasting glucose between 60 and 80. I've been carnivore for 6 weeks now and my fasting glucose is in the upper 90s. Pre Carnivore it was mid to upper 80s. What's up with that?

[@editsulli]

I've been on carnivore for the last 3 weeks. My fasting sugar was 85 before I started this diet. now its 102! I have PCOS and IR. I am not ging to continue with it.

[@admiralbillom7559]

provide there is no or low intake of carb, the liver can produce glucose as needed.

[@stevesmith1493]

The “Dawn effect” is a real thing. My glucose rises 40-60 points when I wake up. Liver dumps to wake you up.

[@patriceferguson7340]

Have a stick of butter before bed. It will erase the dawn effect.

[@firebird7479]

I've seen my glucose rise steadily over the past 5 years. It used to hover around 99, going to 100-105. Now it is in the 110-115 range. Earlier this year it hit 121. I saw another video where someone who was in the same position as me stated that when he hit a certain age past the age of 50 that his glucose started going up, too, without any dietary changes. I went off carnivore myself three years ago because I gained too much weight and my bodyfat rose. I switched to the Zone Diet and the weight came off and has stayed off --- 45 lbs. in 15 months. But, my glucose has gone up. My NET carbs run between 140-160/day but my protein is around 170-180 (I weigh 160-163). It seems as though when I boosted my protein to his level is when I saw the glucose rise. I have hemachromatosis and have to watch my beef meat intake, and get a fair amount of my protein from dairy sources, which I have to pair with red meat to block some of the absorption of the heme-iron.

[@EEEBA1]

It sounds like protein is causing some trouble? Your hemochromatosis, is that something you developed eating meat? Thank you.

[@firebird7479]

@@EEEBA1 The hemachromatosis is caused by a genetic mutation known as heterozygote H63D. It's common in males of Baltic descent (Russia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, etc.) It develops over the course of a lifetime. In my case it started to show up around the age of 52. I encourage anyone with Baltic ancestry to get tested. It will turn up as a high ferritin reading, but they will do the genetic testing. It's easy to keep in check.

[@TomSmith-cv8hk]

Not eating carbs and sugars, body produces glucose, but it comes without insulin so the BG stays high normal.

[@DianneElizabeth64]

But for cancer, glucose needs to be super low. That’s what Dr Boz says. I am so confused. Do I eat meat or not

[@HappilyCarnivore]

My blood glucose stays between 105 and 120 all day long. The only time it's went over 120 was when I decided to drink milk. I was keto for 7 months and have been carnivore just over a year. My A1C has been 5.2 the entire time I've been carnivore. I've started trying extended fasting in an attempt to bring it down, but I'm wondering if it's even really a problem.

[@puetzranch]

Mine doesn't go down much with fasting.

[@HappilyCarnivore]

@@puetzranch I did one 48-hour fast and mine didn't either. I was disappointed.

[@bostonjackson9384]

@@HappilyCarnivore I am somewhat similar. My FBG generally seems to stay between 90 and 120 and doesn't fluctuate much even after I eat... my A1C is 5.7... Last month I did a 6-day fast (consumed nothing except water). The first 4 days of the fast my BG stayed about the same, but then, on day 5 my BG plummeted to the low 70s and remained low for days 5 and 6. I checked my ketones with my ForX ketone meter and found my blood around 3.0

[@HappilyCarnivore]

@@bostonjackson9384 Interesting. How are your blood glucose levels now? Do they run a bit lower after the fast? I only managed one 48-hour fast, and when I didn't see a change in my blood glucose I just didn't bother again. I don't know if I'm brave enough to do a 6-day fast, but if it would improve my levels in the long term I might consider it.

[@bostonjackson9384]

@@HappilyCarnivore Once I ended the fast and resumed my carnivore diet my fasting glucose returned to the 90 - 120ish range. It seldom deviates from that range.

[@Maugirl2]

My old glucose levels were around 84 in the mornings. On carnivore it is now approx 110 rising quickly to 122/130 before eating and goes up to 140 during the day, comes down slowly and doesnt now go below 106. I was not diabetic before… i am obese and cant lose weight on carnivore either. This is all going the wrong way for me..

[@BKDDY]

Same for me.

[@martarico186]

But there is no clear evidence that a carnivore ' s pre-diabetic markers are good. He said it's a possibility. What do we do in the meantime?

[@ilegor365]

Suggestion: take a look at data driven fasting from Marty Kendall.

[@SunKissHilda]

Hey there, what you are experiencing is called ADAPTIVE GLUCOSE SPARING or “physiologic insulin resistance”. I had the same issue and I was on a quest to find out why that is. I found out that’s it’s perfectly normal and some people will experience this while others won’t. If you’re on a keto diet like the carnivore diet for example…it means your body has become so proficient in using fat that when the protein you consume is turned into glucose, your muscles reject the glucose since they are well fed by the fat. I found out about it by watching this couple on KZbin called “2 Fit Docs” you should check them out. The husband has the same reaction with protein even in small quantities but the wife does not. They explain the science behind it and how it’s actually normal for some some people to experience it. ADAPTIVE GLUCOSE SPARING or “physiologic insulin resistance” is different from Pathological insulin resistance which is a pathological condition in which cells either fail to respond normally to the hormone insulin or downregulate insulin receptors. Hope this helps you do some research into it a bit more. Oh and an important note, Adaptive Glucose Sparing should not affect your HbA1c (A measurement of how well blood glucose is being managed over time). So if you get tested for your HbA1c you will be able to tell if you’re just in the Adaptive Glucose Sparing state. You can also do an insulin resistance test in addition to the HbA1 test. Again watch that couple’s videos “2 Fit Docs”, they explain it better than me lol. 😂 After I understood this and did my tests, I knew I was fine.

[@GoneCarnivore]

Look into Glucogon, gluconeogenesis and maybe a few other concepts. If you aren't eating carbs your pancreas still has to do a job but instead of insulin it secretes glucogon to raise blood sugar. It seems regardless of what we eat things can malfunction in our bodies. I don't truly understand anything I'm saying but I just started reading and I've never heard anyone in carnivore talking about Glucogon. If your pancreas isn't working properly things can go wrong.

[@ell_oh_ell]

This came just in time when I’m panicking that my bg is rising again after 11 months on carnivore

[@TheStudentOfLife808]

Interesting observation

[@richienell]

When you eat a high protein, high fat, low carb diet, you lose fat and lose it quick. I think the body fat released from the fat cells into the blood stream it will show higher blood glucose.

[@SG-ji5ij]

Fat in the diet will also raise glucose levels, but gradually over hours. This I why people experiencing sleep issues have this problem, they are eating a fatty meal at dinner. Best to skip dinner. Stick to our Circadian Rhythm meal timing...7 to 9am (the Stomach Meridian) which is the best time to eat a large meal, which I why it's called "Break"fast. Your 2nd meal should be between Noon and 2pm (the Small Intestine Meridian). Fast between 2pm and 7am. Repeat. You'll lose more weight, sleep better and wakeup less groggy too.

[@jdwdrums]

Wouldn't eliminating carbs/sugar cause the body to create glucose from protein? Gluconeogenesis is most likely the cause of high blood sugar on carnivore.. which is amplified if the person has any level of insulin resistance. I'd be willing to bet a lot of these people getting high blood sugar are/were insulin resistant from living a relatively unhealthy lifestyle before switching to carnivore.

[@MarmaladeINFP]

According to anecdotal data, it seems that over-activation of gluconeogenesis only happens for those who are metabolically unfit. Maybe it has to do with insulin resistance that makes it difficult to process glucose. And, so, maybe the body is trying to compensate by increasing glucose production. The other thing is that, as some studies indicate, increased saturated fat intake with insufficient omega-3s might promote insulin resistance, which would be common result of a dirty keto/LCHF diet with lots of butter and coconut oil.

[@emmbns]

From what l understand, it's the oil the seed oil causing the resistance. I have been in ketosis for 9 months, no cheat days, my my A1c was 26, normal levels is 26-28mmol/l

[@absolve4024]

It can easily be gut dysbiosis and certain gut bugs leaking into the blood stream keeping blood sugar high

[@bobbitayman3417]

I'm worried. My A1c is 6 after keto for 4 years and started carnivore 1.1.24 My fasting glucose is 120s and my blood sugar never goes below 100. My total cholesterol is 290s and I am getting nervous that I am hurting myself

[@bme7491]

Big question is how much protein do you actually need? People eat too much IMO.

[@MeMe-cd1wy]

Is it possible that the liver is producing that glucose?

[@ounsay2626]

Anyone know if Dr Bikman has completed the studies?

[@joen.8364]

On the Hemoglobin theory, shouldn't a person RBC count be increasing also with the increased A1C?

[@sharonhurst831]

I just stopped the Carnivore diet. My glucose stayed in the 400’s after two months and I had diarrhea every day. I do not know if it had to due with me taking 200 units of HUMULIN RU500. Once I put carbs back in, my glucose improved a lot. I am hungry all the time now and hate counting calories but I couldn’t figure out what was happening and felt the high readings were going to mess me up really bad.

[@WynterFyre]

FOUR hundred?! WOW! I thought my numbers would drop after twenty days, with only a few "cheats" but mine was around 165 and I was freaking out! My stomach issues are starting to subside but all that meat just tastes nasty. I miss salads! I'm frustrated and don't have a clue what to do, anymore. Going to the doctor, the first thing they want to do is put me on medication and that's the whole reason I tried Carnivore was to NOT be on medications.

[@ladyzarrku2566]

Yes, the Humulin was absolutely messing you up. The Humulin was fighting against everything carnivore was trying to do in your body. I had to take the leap completely off all insulin meds before everything evened out (including my intestines).

[@dlk3904]

my blood sugar was 97 waking up. then i went low carb. a year later it was 110 despite my weight being the same or maybe a little less. it never goes below 90. i have fatty liver and 20% body fat for a male. not too bad, but kind of frustrated here. i think i need to just work out like crazy and realize diet will only get me so far.

[@aliciaobrien4216]

The other side of this Is higher glucose not allowing for Ketosis - a problem I am having

[@InfinitEternaLovEmmanuel]

Don’t forget that the reference levels used by labs to determine what is considered a “normal” range is based on the findings in the population group (that claims to be healthy) that was used to obtain those numbers. So if your population group is already metabolically unhealthy (despite their subjective opinion), your “normal” levels are a not necessarily healthy just because they match the reference group you’re comparing them to!

[@kangaruchi]

- 10 months strict carnivore. - My general health was fine and I only had 9kg to lose when I started. - I've only lost 3kg in 10 months. -My sugar level after a 16hr fast is 5.8 (it was 4.2 before carnivore) IT'S FRUSTRATING & DISAPPOINTING. I'm seriously thinking of giving up.

[@Billy-rr7re]

so a1c is useless test. depends on the life spam of red cells which seems to vary. so you can get false positive or false negative basically

[@absolve4024]

High glucagon leads to acne? Having consistent acne on carnivore .. I can tell it’s hormonal and trying to figure out how to support my body whether it’s hormones, gut, pathogens, fasting. Hm

[@bruceprigge5212]

Thanks!

[@chrissvenningson1747]

I’ve been diagnosed as a type 2 diabetic for 13 years. It doesn’t matter what you eat, your glucose will always spike after eating. It is supposed to. It’s what happens when you eat. Even if I eat meat and eggs, it spikes. The difference between type 2 diabetics and non diabetics is that a diabetics insulin doesn’t work as well with the billions of cells in the body, which is why we need blood sugar lowering medication. A type 2 diabetic will always need to take medication. I have tried Carnivore, Vegan etc. but it doesn’t matter.

[@EEEBA1]

That makes sense. But the question is how come some Type 2 diabetics get cured by eliminating all carbs? Thank you.

[@benjaminstone7229]

My morning glucose was always 100 or under eating a whole food diet which includes carbs. NOW it's always 110 - 118. Beef salt and water. So not only does it seem like hell to me to eat this way but glucose is higher. Trouble staying in anything other than light Ketosis or not at all. 40 days eating this way. Almost want to pull the plug because I am not seeing all these amazing results everyone speaks of.

[@EEEBA1]

What exactly are you eating/drinking? It took me almost 3 months to start seeing results and I didn't have any pre existing conditions, no autoimmune diseases etc. Thank you.

[@my-yt-inputs2580]

I am one of those doing Carnivore who's not seeing the lower numbers of A1C. It was then I began hearing of how A1C might not be the best choice for measuring. One thing I have discovered however is that even though the A1C test tests hemoglobin at the 90 day average the hemoglobin actually lives closer to 120 days. They just test A1C at the 90 day mark for standardization. So if that is the case of hemoglobin being healthier and living longer under carnivore how would that affect a normal 90 day average A1C test? Perhaps the whole HbA1c tests/testing need revising to accommodate for individuals with healthier hemoglobin? This kinda goes back to blood tests for people on SAD vs healthier Keto lifestyle and how they may be different. And Dr Cywes will suggest that lower A1C is better.

[@megavegan5791]

Don’t buy into the pseudoscience. If your A1C is indicating that you’re insulin resistant or diabetic, believe it and take it seriously.

[@seanveach950]

Interested in the same think here as I am a patient of Dr. Cywes. We haven't gotten to that point yet as I am still working on lowering my fasting insulin and my blood sugar levels have risen again at the two year mark of carnivore. I am looking into just how much longer living blood cells might affect that number. It is starting to be suggested that we need a small amount of carbs to stimulate insulin, but I am not convinced of that yet. At the moment I am kind of in the frame of mind that many have about cholesterol, if you are eating healthy, let it be what the body makes it be...... Best of health to you!

[@Bass.Player]

It will not matter how many days you wait because red blood cells are constantly being generated, if you maintain this diet then you can expect the same no matter how long you wait unless you are talking about waiting 120 days after you had a high carb diet? This may made a difference...