Blood Sugar and Snus

**wa3zrm** · 04-03-10, 04:43 AM

Oh yea... I can write a book on this topic!

I've been a Type II diabetic since 1994. I use tight control; 4+ injections a day. And no, I have no interest in the pump... it's just not for me.

I started with Camel Frost... contacted the company... they informed me that the sweetness IS NOT FROM SUGAR or ANY GLUCOSE BASED PRODUCT. They would not tell me what the artificial sweetener was; however, from the strength, I would believe it is from the nutrasweet family of products.

In a word, does snus effect MY blood sugar- YES.

Stark portions kick it up faster and higher than regular portions. Los, depending on the size I bake, has the same effect.

I begin and end the day with a stark portion. I make sure I take enough insulin in the AM and PM to cover. Throughout the day, I use regular portions (8MG) which I add into my meal plan. I tend to treat the snus as a snack.

Mini white portions (ie. Northerern purified portions) don't have much effect on me. I can pop those all day without seeing any rises or drops.

To determine how snus is effecting my blood sugar, I pre-test in the AM before breakfast and then test two hours after breakfast. If I am under 170 after breakfast, I am happy. The ADA recommendation for your glucose level two hours after a meal is 180 or less. Keep in mind that 70 to 120 is the NORMAL range.

Since I am under tight control, my A1C's have been very good. My last A1C was 6.5. The ADA is happy if a diabetic's A1C is under 7.

My doc is very happy with my quarterly A1C, Lipid and CPR tests. I've informed him that snus helped me kick a pack a day smoking habit. He told me that the real danger from cigarettes comes from the smoke and the thousands of chemicals that make it up. Much to my surprise, he knew all about snus. He went on to tell me that people that he can't get to quit smokes with the patch usually can do so with snus. The nic content and delivery method of snus is greater and more direct than the patch in his opinion.

The one thing my doc does not like about snus is that the nic effects the cardiovascular system. High doses tend to constrict your blood vessels. Keep in mind, cigarettes do the same thing in addition to adding numerous toxins in the smoke.

I hope you have found this info of some value. Please keep in mind that I am not a doctor and you should discuss smoking and/or snus with a qualified medical practitioner before use.

**G_Jones** · 04-03-10, 11:20 PM

So you are saying snus causes a measurable rise in blood sugar level?

**wa3zrm** · 05-03-10, 03:46 AM

Originally posted by G_Jones

So you are saying snus causes a measurable rise in blood sugar level?

Yes- FOR ME! I'm a brittle diabetic. Almost anything I eat effects my glucose levels. That's why I'm on intensive insulin therapy.

There are certain foods that shoot my glucose levels through the roof... like milk.

Everyone is different. Keep in mind that I'm on insulin too.

Here's a kicker for you... one shot of alcohol or a single beer drops my sugar levels... any more than that increases them.

When it comes to blood glucose, everyone reacts differently based on their metabolism. That's why anyone that thinks they have blood sugar issues should see a doctor and test their glucose levels on a regular basis.

**Frosted** · 31-03-10, 02:48 AM

I don't have diabetes but when my blood sugar goes low (4 mmol) I get mad, shaky and nauseous. After eating a bowl of pasta I get warm, relaxed and sleepy and feel a bit euphoric. This might be what you're experiencing and maybe on a lesser level.

If it's bothersome I'd snack more to keep the blood sugar up.
However - stay off sugar (sodas, chocolate etc) or at least limit it and eat more complex carbs. It's very easy to do.

**PipenSnus** · 07-05-10, 12:33 AM

I'm a Type 2 diabetic also, diagnosed over 10 years ago. I don't take insulin, just oral meds. So far, I haven't noticed any change in my blood sugar that can be attributed to snus. I have noticed an appetite suppressant effect, however, which will lower my blood sugar eventually, if I lose enough weight.

My doctor is a raving anti-tobacco fanatic, so I'm not even going to tell her about snus. I'm just going to tell her I'm not smoking cigs (hopefully I'll be completely off them before my next appointment), and that I'm only having a couple of pipes of tobacco a day. She won't like that I'm still using tobacco in any form, but we've been having this battle for years. She's not going to get me tobacco-free, and I think deep down she knows that, but she keeps trying.

Oh, and BTW, the ADA recommendation for HbA1C level is 7.5 or lower. The American College of Endocrinology recommends 6.5. But those numbers may be lower for brittle diabetics. And several recent research studies show that while tight control (under 7) lowers risk of complications, anything below 7.5 increases mortality risk.

**CoderGuy** · 07-05-10, 02:43 AM

Originally posted by PipenSnus View Post

I'm a Type 2 diabetic also, diagnosed over 10 years ago. I don't take insulin, just oral meds. So far, I haven't noticed any change in my blood sugar that can be attributed to snus. I have noticed an appetite suppressant effect, however, which will lower my blood sugar eventually, if I lose enough weight.

My doctor is a raving anti-tobacco fanatic, so I'm not even going to tell her about snus. I'm just going to tell her I'm not smoking cigs (hopefully I'll be completely off them before my next appointment), and that I'm only having a couple of pipes of tobacco a day. She won't like that I'm still using tobacco in any form, but we've been having this battle for years. She's not going to get me tobacco-free, and I think deep down she knows that, but she keeps trying.

Oh, and BTW, the ADA recommendation for HbA1C level is 7.5 or lower. The American College of Endocrinology recommends 6.5. But those numbers may be lower for brittle diabetics. And several recent research studies show that while tight control (under 7) lowers risk of complications, anything below 7.5 increases mortality risk.

I was diagnosed 6 years ago and also haven't noticed any change. I too have noticed the more I snus the less hungry I am so I eat less. My doc is also very anti-tobacco and keeps asking me, "So you still not smoking?" to which I happily reply, "Haven't had a cigarrett since April of last year". My BP is 128/78, A1C is 6.7, so I see no point in discussing Harm Reduction with him, no sense tainting the waters with logic.

CG

**f. bandersnatch** · 08-05-10, 12:34 AM

Originally posted by CoderGuy View Post

no sense tainting the waters with logic.

CG

Truer words have never been spoken.

**tom502** · 11-07-10, 08:55 PM

My test results came back, and my DR mailed me a letter saying I was diabetic. Sucks.

**PipenSnus** · 11-07-10, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by tom502 View Post

My test results came back, and my DR mailed me a letter saying I was diabetic. Sucks.

Yeah, a diabetes diagnosis can be tough. But hang in there. You're going to have to learn some new life skills, and there will be an adjustment period, but eventually, it just becomes a natural part of your life. As long as you take care of yourself properly, diabetes doesn't have to be a hassle.

If your health insurance will cover it, get your doctor to schedule an appointment for you with the Norton Diabetes Education Center. They'll teach you how to test your blood sugar (and probably give you a free meter), and counsel you on diet and things like that.

**lxskllr** · 11-07-10, 10:14 PM

That's too bad Tom. It's not the end of the world, but it'll make life a bigger PITA. Take care of yourself. Diabetes isn't something to screw with. If you don't take care of it, you can go on with a fair degree of comfort, but paybacks a bitch. You pay the lack of attention with lost eyesight, organ damage, and lost limbs. Here's my post from another thread regarding glucose meters...

Originally posted by lxskllr View Post

Interesting stuff Spirit. The difference you're seeing between snuff and snus may just be the quantity. 1-2g of snuff is only 1-2 portions/prises. If you really felt like screwing with it, you could then drop the snuff, and use just a little bit of snus. There would be a difference though, as you'd be getting a larger amount of nicotine at once. If you're interested, WalMart sells a blood glucose tester for $20. The whole unit's disposable, and it comes with 20 test strips if I remember right. It looks like a film canister, and they sell it on the open rack here, as opposed to behind the counter. You could also get their Relion brand, which would give you a nicer tester, but you'd have to buy test strips at $20 per 50. I get the Relion stuff for my daughter, cause the name brands strips are way too expensive. It pisses me off actually. If WalMart can sell strips for $20, and Walgreens can sell them for $35, why the hell do the big brands cost $70? It's exploitation pure and simple. They give the doctors the test units to give out to patients(the cheap part of the equipment), and that gets the patients buying their overpriced strips. **** it insurance pays for it right? it's all FREE!! Yea, well insurance doesn't always cover it, and it shouldn't. Aside from the fact that insurance is a scam, they shouldn't pay for the usury rates of drug companies.

Well, sorry bout that :^P The real point of all that is you can get an accurate blood tester fairly cheaply. It might be worth you looking into. If you're pre diabetic, you might be able to handle it yourself without getting doctors involved. Earlier's better than later for getting it under control :^)

Edit:
Here's the cheapy set from WalMart. It's accurate, and doesn't require a large initial investment. It's feature poor, but gives you the info you need to know...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/All-in-One...ystem/10818578
It has 50 strips, not 20 as stated above.

Edit2:
You'll also want to get a finger pricker, about $10 I think.

**tom502** · 11-07-10, 10:16 PM

Thanks.
He wants to call in a prescription for me, I think tomorrow, and I have a follow up appt on the 19th.
It's just a lifetime if eating high-carb junk, and too much of it, and some genetic predispostion.

It didn't suprise me, as I figured as much.

I do believe if children, from birth to physical maturity never ate sugar and flour, especially, they would never get it.

I've just been a carb-head, like a crack head, and it's gonna be a big challenge.

**lxskllr** · 11-07-10, 10:30 PM

If you have any questions, feel free to ask Tom. I'm no genius, but my daughter has diabetes, so I've picked up a few things. We also have some diabetic members on the board that can give you some tips.

**amdusias** · 11-07-10, 10:38 PM

I too, have type 2 diabetes. Food has always made me tired after eating. I take Metformin after my largest meal of the day. Though snus doesnt seem to effect by blood sugar but my readings, with meds, are around 100 to 120 and my A1C was under 6. I dont really know that much more about it but my Doc. seems to think I am over it from my weight loss. So I will probably be coming off the meds soon.

**tom502** · 11-07-10, 10:47 PM

Thanks for the comments.

I do plan on making real dietary changes. I know I'd said that before for many years, but now since it's official, it should give me more impetus.

I'll see what he prescribes me, and what he says on my next appt.
I do believe diabetes is largely a condition one gives oneself, and one can cure themself of it, that is, if they really quit or control what's keeping them in this condition.

Blood Sugar and Snus

Blood Sugar and Snus

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