Photo: Artem Podrez

Does squeezing your finger affect blood sugar?

Anywhere from 5 to 13 percent of study participants had a significantly different blood sugar result (versus no squeezing), depending on how much pressure they put on the finger. On average, blood sugar readings were lower when people put pressure on the finger.

reuters.com - Second drop"" sometimes OK for blood sugar testing | Reuters

Can you lose weight on keto without being in ketosis?

While having ketones present in your bloodstream and the ability to burn them for fuel has its own set of benefits, fat loss does not require a...

Last updated Dec 31, 2021

How can I thicken my chili without it changing taste?

Simmer the Chili This is the best way to thicken chili without changing its flavor, texture or appearance. All you have to do is let your chili...

Last updated Feb 12, 2021

Promotion

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with diabetes are urged to always wash their hands before testing their blood sugar. But if soap and water are nowhere to be found, using the “second drop” of blood may be OK, a new study suggests. Many people with diabetes have to test their blood sugar every day, in order to adjust their dose of insulin, plan their next meal and generally manage the disease. They do that by making a small prick on a fingertip, then placing a drop of blood on a test strip that is read by a glucose monitor. The American Diabetes Association and other groups say that people should thoroughly wash and dry their hands, then test the first drop of blood that comes from the finger. They do not, however, have advice on what to do when you cannot wash your hands. For the new study, Dutch researchers had 123 people with diabetes test their blood sugar under various conditions: after thoroughly washing and drying their hands; without handwashing; after handling fruit, which leaves sugar on the fingers; and after washing their fruity fingers. The participants also tested their blood sugar using varying amounts of pressure to squeeze a drop of blood from the tested finger. (In general, guidelines advise against squeezing the finger too hard to get a blood drop because it may distort blood sugar readings.)

Overall, the study found, clean hands are still key.

Compared with tests of clean hands, 11 percent of study participants had test results that were at least 10 percent off when they tested the first drop of blood from their unwashed hands. The same was true of 4 percent of study participants when they used the second drop of blood. Based on that, the researchers recommend that people wash and dry their hands before testing, then use the first blood drop. But if they cannot wash up for some reason, it’s “acceptable” to use the second drop after wiping away the first.

But what about fruity hands?

In that case -- or whenever hands are visibly dirty -- a good washing is necessary, according to the researchers, led by Johanna Hortensius, a registered nurse at the Isala Clinics Diabetes Center in Zwolle, the Netherlands. They found that when study participants tested fruit-exposed hands without washing, 88 percent had blood sugar levels that were at least 10 percent off from their clean-hand readings -- at least when using the first drop of blood. They fared better when using the second drop. But 11 percent still had results that differed substantially from their clean-hand measurements. The findings are published in the early online edition of the journal Diabetes Care. As for squeezing the finger, the researchers found that too much pressure did appear to interfere with accurate test results. Anywhere from 5 to 13 percent of study participants had a significantly different blood sugar result (versus no squeezing), depending on how much pressure they put on the finger. On average, blood sugar readings were lower when people put pressure on the finger. The finding, according to the researchers, is in line with advice to avoid firm squeezing of the tested finger.

SOURCE: bit.ly/hUJl5u Diabetes Care, online February 2, 2011.

What clogs arteries in the heart?

Clogged arteries are caused by atherosclerosis, which develops over time as plaques formed from fats, minerals, cholesterol, and more build up...

Last updated Jan 2, 2020

Which fruit is richest?

1. Apples. One of the most popular fruits, apples are chock-full of nutrition. They're rich in both soluble and insoluble fiber, such as pectin,...

Last updated Apr 2, 2020

Promotion

Can diabetics use carrots?

“Carrots are considered a nonstarchy vegetable, along with options such as broccoli and lettuce,” Ficek says. “These foods are safe for people with diabetes to eat at each meal without worry that glucose levels will spike.”

everydayhealth.com - 10 Surprising Foods That Have Little Impact on Blood Sugar

When you're diagnosed with diabetes, one of the first changes that your doctor will recommend is cleaning up your diet. Suddenly even seemingly healthy foods are placed on a do-not-eat list. While you may start to feel like there are very few foods you can eat safely, you'll be happy to hear that a handful of foods commonly assumed to be off-limits are actually healthy choices for those living with the condition. These “off-limits” foods actually have a much lower impact on glucose levels than people think, and get the green light to include in a diabetes-friendly diet. The 10 on this list all have a low or medium glycemic load (GL), which is a measurement that factors in a food’s glycemic index and carbohydrates per serving to show how the food affects blood sugar, according to Oregon State University. Foods low on the scale break down more slowly in the body, which may produce fewer fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. A GL of 10 or under is considered low, while 11 to 19 is medium, and 20 and above is high.

RELATED: 20 Easy and Quick Snacks for People With Diabetes

While no two people with diabetes will respond to a certain food the same way, here are 10 foods you may be surprised to learn may have little impact on blood sugar.

How to get 60 grams of protein a day?

Eat Egg Whites The study found that egg whites contain about 60 grams of protein, equivalent to two eggs. This amount of protein is enough to meet...

Last updated Oct 25, 2020

What kills Candida the best?

Top 7 Strongest Candida Killers To Fight Candida Overgrowth Caprylic Acid. Coconut oil is made up of three fatty acids: caprylic acid capric acid...

Last updated Dec 26, 2020

Promotion

Do you have clothes on when you are cremated?

Cremation of a body can be done with or without clothing. Typically, if there has been a traditional funeral (with the body) present, the deceased...

Last updated Aug 15, 2022

Promotion

Does keto work after 40?

Does Keto Work For Women Over 40? Yes, it can. This eating plan is believed to help with improving and resetting insulin levels, as well as the...

Last updated May 26, 2022