Post Time: 2025-07-18
Maintaining a healthy blood sugar range is crucial for optimal health, and it's especially important when using medications like prednisone. When taken long-term or in high doses, prednisone can raise blood sugar levels significantly.
Understanding the ideal blood sugar range is essential to comprehend how certain factors affect your body. The American Diabetes Association recommends a fasting plasma glucose level of less than 100 mg/dL for most adults. However, this value may vary depending on individual factors such as age and health conditions. When prednisone raises blood sugar levels, it's crucial to monitor these fluctuations closely.
Monitoring Blood Sugar: A Key Component in Managing Prednisone-Induced Hyperglycemia
Using a glucometer or continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device is vital for tracking changes in your blood sugar range when taking prednisone. These tools allow you to measure blood sugar levels frequently throughout the day and identify patterns that may indicate hyperglycemia.
Diet plays a significant role in stabilizing blood sugar, especially while using medications like prednisone. Consuming high-fiber foods such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and absorption. Some examples of low-glycemic index foods that can support healthy blood sugar range include oatmeal, broccoli, and berries.
The Effects of Prednisone on Insulin Sensitivity
Prednisone is known to reduce insulin sensitivity in many individuals, particularly those with a history of diabetes or prediabetes. This reduction in insulin sensitivity means the body produces less insulin response when consuming carbohydrates or glucose-rich foods. As a result, blood sugar levels rise more easily.
Stress and sleep deprivation are other factors that can affect your ability to maintain healthy blood sugar range while using medications like prednisone. Chronic stress causes an increase in cortisol production, which counteracts insulin action and increases glucagon release from the liver. Getting sufficient quality sleep is also essential for optimal glucose regulation; studies show that poor sleep habits disrupt insulin sensitivity.
Managing Blood Sugar with Prednisone: Tips and Considerations
To maintain a healthy blood sugar range when using prednisone, consider incorporating regular physical activity into your routine. Regular exercise not only increases muscle mass but also enhances overall health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Aerobic exercises such as walking or jogging are recommended for better insulin sensitivity.
Dietary habits also play a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels while using prednisone. Eating smaller, more balanced meals throughout the day can help maintain stable glucose levels compared to eating one large meal that's high in carbs and fats. Healthy hydration is essential as well; adequate fluid intake helps prevent dehydration-induced drops or spikes in blood pressure.
Stabilizing Blood Sugar: The Role of Supplements
Certain supplements may also support healthy blood sugar regulation while using prednisone. For instance, fiber-rich foods like psyllium seed husk have been found to reduce glucose and insulin levels after meals. Other nutrients that show promise for maintaining a stable blood sugar range include chromium, which enhances insulin sensitivity, and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), an antioxidant that improves glycemic control.
Lowering Blood Sugar When Prednisone Use Exceeds Six Weeks
If you've been taking prednisone for over six weeks or at doses above 20 mg/day, monitor your blood sugar closely. It's essential to identify and address any fluctuations as early as possible because the longer these levels are outside of a healthy range, the higher the risk for complications.
Maintaining healthy eating habits is crucial when using medications like prednisone that raise blood sugar levels significantly. Limiting added sugars found in sugary drinks or baked goods can help regulate insulin sensitivity and support weight management efforts during treatment periods with these corticosteroids.
Link to all "Beat Diabetes" videos: Dennis Pollock, of Beat Diabetes, discusses the fledgling American Diabetes Society. Your support of Beat Diabetes is average blood sugar to a1c chart greatly appreciated: Dr. Ken Berry's Video about the ADA: Dr. Ken Berry's Video about the new ADS: Den & Ben's Bible Teaching YouTube Channel: is 118 high for blood sugar CHALLENGE TO BEAT DIABETES IN 6 MONTHS VIDEO SERIES (download): "DIABETES 175 blood sugar in the morning EMERGENCY KIT" VIDEO SERIES (for download): "MORE FUNDAMENTALS OF BEATING DIABETES" VIDEO SERIES (For downloading): Order Dennis & Benedicta's new Bible teaching podcast ("Discover the Word with Den & Ben"): Get Benedicta's Autobiography (e-book or paperback):