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The Question
11/15/09 04:39 AM

"How does smoking affect blood sugars? Does it raise or lower them? I'm type 2. "
Asked By: fatslob  
Category: Type 2

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Expert Answers (1)

11/21/09 07:32 PM

Evening FatSlob: (Most likely YOU are NOT).
Thanks for asking dLife experts about, "How smoking can affect blood sugar readings".

The biochemistry is somewhat complex but the impact is an increased production of reactive oxygen species (or ROS) which is further aggravated by oxidative stress within the cells. Smoking will raise blood glucose readings and reduces the body’s ability to use what circulating insulin you have as Ty2, making it very difficult to control your diabetes.

  • Data suggest "one cigarette, cuts the body’s ability to use any insulin by 15%." Use of any form of tobacco brings a host of health problems related to the substances in tobacco smoke. Tobacco use and diabetes increase the likelihood of developing complications. These complications occur to cardiovascular system, (heart and blood vessels); including the very large and small vessels, other body systems impacted include the eye, the kidneys and the outer-ends of the arms and leg nerve endings. In addition, several studies now demonstrate that smoking increases the risk for adults to develop type 2 diabetes.

    In short, smoking heightens the risk to complications of diabetes. Nicotine is the addictive chemical in tobacco, it is considered to be one of the most addictive substances used by humans. When a person smokes a cigarette, cigar or pipe, the nicotine contained in the smoke enters the lungs and passes through the cell lining into the bloodstream, where it reaches the brain in seconds. The many health benefits to quitting begin just 20 minutes after stopping the use of tobacco.

    Help is available, via your doctor, nurses, dietitians, many other healthcare staff, recruit family, as a clinician, "I strongly encourage YOU to quit, (if it is YOU smoking)", difficult but can occur!! Be your best, regards Sue Follow the link belowClick here to read it.

    • Answered By: Susan Throop
    Accreditations: RD, CDE, MA
    Sources Show

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