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7 Ways to Manage Your Hunger! :

Oct 02, 2007

For most people attempting to manage their weight, hunger is a normal part of the process. While this normal and occasional hunger is manageable, hunger that is unrelenting can make you vulnerable to overeating and weight gain.

People with diabetes, pre-diabetes or insulin resistance face even greater challenges when it comes to the issue of hunger. One cause may be either high or low blood glucose levels. When glucose levels are at either extreme, hunger is a common symptom. Therefore, if you have diabetes and are experiencing excessive episodes of hunger, the first thing to do is pull out your meter and check your blood glucose. If you notice a pattern of low or high readings, record your results so that you can discuss this with your diabetes healthcare team and get individualized help with adjusting your treatment plan.

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Another cause of excessive hunger may be that your cells do not respond to normal levels of insulin. This condition is called "insulin resistance" and is most commonly seen in individuals with Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes, though it can also periodically affect people with Type 1 diabetes. Insulin resistance occurs when cells of the body do not respond to normal levels of the hormone insulin. As a result, the body will pump out more insulin than normally needed in order to attempt to keep blood glucose levels in a normal range. People with Type 1 diabetes who are insulin-resistant will require much higher doses of insulin than would normally be expected for their body weight.

Though most of us realize that insulin is a hormone responsible for keeping blood glucose levels in balance, insulin also has well-known effects on stimulating hunger. Therefore, excessive insulin levels, whether from the bodyā€™s own production or from insulin provided in the form of medication, can certainly impact your appetite and increase sensations of hunger.

A final reason that those with diabetes may have more hunger is due to the absence of certain hormones in the digestive system. One such hormone, amylin, has been found lacking in those with Type 1 diabetes or those with Type 2 diabetes who do not make enough insulin. Amylin is important for appetite regulation. Symlin is an injected prescription medication that is now available to replace this hormone in those who are deficient. Not only does Symlin result in weight loss, but it also lowers blood glucose.