Bodybuilding with diabetes...

[sgtmason]

I know diabetes isn't an injury, but it is a life changing disease. I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and am having a hard time finding any information on bodybuilding with diabetes. Other than the fact that exercise and nutrition are beneficial, I don't know much about how it will affect my future in bodybuilding. I currently take daily insulin injections and the only nutritional restrictions I really have are with my carbs/sugar intake as they have a direct effect on my glucose levels, although my nutritionist disagrees with my protein intake as she says I take too much. I don't think she understands. Anywho, any info or advice I can get on this topic is appreciated.

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"Semper Fidelis"

[AphtaLyfe]

Maybe time your insulin right before or after your workout for maximal muscle gain?

Sorry don't know much on the subject... bump for you though!

[Fleshka]

Originally Posted by sgtmason

I know diabetes isn't an injury, but it is a life changing disease. I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and am having a hard time finding any information on bodybuilding with diabetes. Other than the fact that exercise and nutrition are beneficial, I don't know much about how it will affect my future in bodybuilding. I currently take daily insulin injections and the only nutritional restrictions I really have are with my carbs/sugar intake as they have a direct effect on my glucose levels, although my nutritionist disagrees with my protein intake as she says I take too much. I don't think she understands. Anywho, any info or advice I can get on this topic is appreciated.

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"Semper Fidelis"

your nutritionist is looking out for your kidneys b/c diabetics frequently have protein in the urine and nephro issues.

[Gr3g_Lycan]

Read http://www.diabetes-normalsugars.com/
Available in many libraries.

[Revmachine21]

I'd repost this topic in the Over 35 section... many people over there are well experienced in diabetes management.

Have you done any searches there?

[sgtmason]

Originally Posted by AphtaLyfe

Maybe time your insulin right before or after your workout for maximal muscle gain?

Sorry don't know much on the subject... bump for you though!

I'm gonna look into that more because I remember reading somewhere about bodybuilders actually using insulin as a steroid type drug because it increases the uptake of glucose and amino acids. Since I'm stuck taking insulin for the rest of my life, might as well take advantage.

[sgtmason]

Originally Posted by Fleshka

your nutritionist is looking out for your kidneys b/c diabetics frequently have protein in the urine and nephro issues.

That's a good point, hopefully drinking enough water will keep my kidney's flushed out and prevent any future problems.

[sgtmason]

Originally Posted by Revmachine21

I'd repost this topic in the Over 35 section... many people over there are well experienced in diabetes management.

Have you done any searches there?

That's a good idea.

[neoplasia200x]

* Self monitoring of blood glucose is essential

* Avoid or delay exercise when blood glucose is < 100 mg/dL or > 250 mg/dL

* Increase carbohydrate intake before workout depending on blood glucose. Also if working out at moderate to high intensity - it is recommended to take about 10-15 grams of carbs per hour of exercise.

* Measure blood glucose again if working out for longer than an hour - adjust carbs accordingly.

* Be prepared for possible hypoglycemia at night and up to the next morning.

* If you have episodes of hypoglycemia at night, decrease night dosage of insulin by about 1 unit.

* Don't inject insulin in body parts that you work out - e.g. delts, quads...

* Keep well hydrated

* Always keep carbs handy when you workout. Also carry an ID card identifying you as a Type 1 diabetic.

*DON"T EVER TAKE INSULIN BEFORE WORKING OUT

Hopefully this helps. You should definitely see an endocrinologist though.

[Fleshka]

Originally Posted by sgtmason

I'm gonna look into that more because I remember reading somewhere about bodybuilders actually using insulin as a steroid type drug because it increases the uptake of glucose and amino acids. Since I'm stuck taking insulin for the rest of my life, might as well take advantage.

hyperinsulinemia is not good either. i would def suggest against abusing insulin.

those bb who abuse insulin all suffer the consequences later on.

[sgtmason]

my current insulin regiment consist of Lantus (24 hr insulin) after breakfast and Novolog (short acting insulin) throughout the day as needed.

[neoplasia200x]

Originally Posted by sgtmason

my current insulin regiment consist of Lantus (24 hr insulin) after breakfast and Novolog (short acting insulin) throughout the day as needed.

Yeah..that's a pretty typical Insulin scheme. You'll be ok as long as you don't take any Novolog before lifting. Novolog starts working in about 5-15 minutes and peaks at about 30-90 mins.

If in doubt...just follow the guidelines I posted above.

Best of luck to you.

[sgtmason]

thanks...

[NoFlatEarth]

Iv been a type 1 for about 4 years now. Trust me it gets alot easier as time goes on it just becomes a part of life and i minimally notice it.I usually keep the bs a little high pre workout and keep the sugars as low as possible because i hear high bs will eat away everything including muscles.

[sgtmason]

yea i've been attending a series of diabetic management classes and prolonged high blood sugar is definitely not a good thing...it puts you at a much higher risk for alot of other diseases...one of them that stand out to me is neuropathy which is basically when your nerves start losing sensation, especially in the feet, legs, and hands...i'm not sure how it affects muscle mass, but i have heard that about prolonged low blood sugar...i guess what happens is the body doesn't have anything to feed off of for energy so it turns to the muscles as a source...kinda like when you go too long between meals...

[tdoggz]

Ive been type 1 diabetic for 13 years and like "noflatearth" said, it def gets easier with time and experience. I take 34 units of lantis in the morning and humalog on a sliding scale with meals. Its all about timing, you should def train the same time every time if you dont already. when i train i time it so my insulin already peaked so much less of a chance of going low if your meals are on point pre-workout. I also take insulin right after i train being that the post workout meal has the most calories and carbs and is excellent for muscle growth. My protein intake is 200+ and any endo will tell you thats way to much. Get blood test frequently and keep your sugar as normal as possible, Drink a gallon of water daily. Most important like "neoplasia200x" said was never inject where you work out, i've almost collapsed countless times forgetting that i've injected behind the arm and trained tries. I've also tried every supplement under the sun, stay away from NOexplode. The results are amazing but it spiked my sugar levels uncontrollably. I've switched to super pump 250 and very happy with it plus the spikes are not that harsh. Good luck, if you ever have any questions im happy to help.

[sgtmason]

Originally Posted by tdoggz

Ive been type 1 diabetic for 13 years and like "noflatearth" said, it def gets easier with time and experience. I take 34 units of lantis in the morning and humalog on a sliding scale with meals. Its all about timing, you should def train the same time every time if you dont already. when i train i time it so my insulin already peaked so much less of a chance of going low if your meals are on point pre-workout. I also take insulin right after i train being that the post workout meal has the most calories and carbs and is excellent for muscle growth. My protein intake is 200+ and any endo will tell you thats way to much. Get blood test frequently and keep your sugar as normal as possible, Drink a gallon of water daily. Most important like "neoplasia200x" said was never inject where you work out, i've almost collapsed countless times forgetting that i've injected behind the arm and trained tries. I've also tried every supplement under the sun, stay away from NOexplode. The results are amazing but it spiked my sugar levels uncontrollably. I've switched to super pump 250 and very happy with it plus the spikes are not that harsh. Good luck, if you ever have any questions im happy to help.

yea the protein issue has been a big debate between myself, my nutritionist, and my endo...i'm ranging anywhere from 220-250g and they act like i'm out of my mind...told me that anything over 15-20g/meal is too much...i'm sorry but a measley little 3oz. of steak isn't gonna work...i usually check my sugar levels 4-6 times/day...as far as the injections go, i understand not to give them in a part i plan to workout that day, but whats the reasoning behind that? does it just speed up the insulin affect? as far as supplements i usually try and stay away from anything full of sugar...i've never used an NO supplement before but you say the superpump 250 doesn't spike you as bad, so i'm gonna guess that you would prob recommend it...as far as taking the superpump, what have you found to be the most effective way of taking it?

[tdoggz]

Originally Posted by sgtmason

yea the protein issue has been a big debate between myself, my nutritionist, and my endo...i'm ranging anywhere from 220-250g and they act like i'm out of my mind...told me that anything over 15-20g/meal is too much...i'm sorry but a measley little 3oz. of steak isn't gonna work...i usually check my sugar levels 4-6 times/day...as far as the injections go, i understand not to give them in a part i plan to workout that day, but whats the reasoning behind that? does it just speed up the insulin affect? as far as supplements i usually try and stay away from anything full of sugar...i've never used an NO supplement before but you say the superpump 250 doesn't spike you as bad, so i'm gonna guess that you would prob recommend it...as far as taking the superpump, what have you found to be the most effective way of taking it?

Yea,i hear ya it sucks but thats one thing you have to really watch. The last thing you wanna do is mess with your kidneys, keep getting the blood work done and if you have to back off the protein some than do it, you can still make gains . And the reasoning behind the injections is just what you said. As far as the supplements I just wanted to let you know what to stay away from they are not necessary, but I't def helps me out in the gym. I would suggest to learn to control your numbers (bg) with your routine before trying supplements as they do spike your sugar a little. But remember we are still in the game lol. Because insulin is the most anabolic drug out there and im still learning how to use it to our advantage.

[sgtmason]

Originally Posted by tdoggz

Yea,i hear ya it sucks but thats one thing you have to really watch. The last thing you dont wanna do is mess with your kidneys, keep getting the blood work done and if you have to back off the protein some than do it, you can still make gains . And the reasoning behind the injections is just what you said. As far as the supplements I just wanted to let you know what to stay away from they are not necessary, but I't def helps me out in the gym. I would suggest to learn to control your numbers (bg) with your routine before trying supplements as they do spike your sugar a little. But remember we are still in the game lol. Because insulin is the most anabolic drug out there and im still learning how to use it to our advantage.

yea man whatever you find out let me know and i'll do the same...i have an appt. with the endo next week...so hopefully i'll be able to get us some new knowledge...maybe there's some kind of magic insulin stack that we don't know about yet...lol...

[tdoggz]

Originally Posted by sgtmason

yea man whatever you find out let me know and i'll do the same...i have an appt. with the endo next week...so hopefully i'll be able to get us some new knowledge...maybe there's some kind of magic insulin stack that we don't know about yet...lol...

Haha That would be great, good luck with everything keep me posted

[NoFlatEarth]

If i know my endo like i do he would flip that i ever even thought about taking creatine. But i dont understand how supps can mess with diabetics if our bg is under control waht damage is done ? I even found a site that has supps just for diabetics and in contains things like creatine in it. Here is the site for any one interested http://www.prlab.com/

[sgtmason]

i really havent mentioned supps to my endo, but he's pretty cool tho he prob would understand...i think thats a problem with alot of doc's tho, is that they don't really understand supp's...all they know is what they've heard through the media...they automatically assume for example that because 1 person out of 500 billion complained with a slight pain in his side while on creatine, that creatine causes kidney failure...that may be over-exaggerated but its true...

[shainesboostin]

Originally Posted by sgtmason

yea i've been attending a series of diabetic management classes and prolonged high blood sugar is definitely not a good thing...it puts you at a much higher risk for alot of other diseases...one of them that stand out to me is neuropathy which is basically when your nerves start losing sensation, especially in the feet, legs, and hands...i'm not sure how it affects muscle mass, but i have heard that about prolonged low blood sugar...i guess what happens is the body doesn't have anything to feed off of for energy so it turns to the muscles as a source...kinda like when you go too long between meals...

So if your blood sugar is low it eats muscle or when its high?

[MrLovrLovr]

Maybe add some protein digesting enzymes to your meals before you eat 40+g of protein

[sgtmason]

Originally Posted by shainesboostin

So if your blood sugar is low it eats muscle or when its high?

I think your body is more catabolic when it is low because it doesn't have any glucose to feed off of for energy. I think the problem that arises when the blood sugars get high is that the body doesn't use protein and other nutrients effieciently because it is trying to fight off the glucose. That is where the insulin comes into play. This really isn't a problem for most people because the high levels of glucose cause a natural insulin spike, which in turn pulls more nutrients into the muscles. You just have to be careful because high levels of insulin have a bad habit of promoting fat storage.

[melon]

I'd have to agree with your endocrinologist, that much protein in a type 1 diabetic is a little risky. You have to make sure your blood sugar control is 100% spot on to avoid kidney damage in the long run.

[sgtmason]

Originally Posted by tdoggz

Haha That would be great, good luck with everything keep me posted

I'm a little late, but here's a refresh, lol. I stumbled across a website a few weeks ago and thought I would post the link if anyone was interested in checking it out:

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/

It basically covers all aspects of diabetes for both type 1 and 2. I also found a story on there about a type 1 bodybuilder, Doug Burns. It was actually pretty motivational for me so I thought I'd share:

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2007/04/03/5079.html