Strike The Spike! Strategies for Combatting After-Meal Highs Gary Scheiner MS, CDE
Overview DefinitionsDefinitions RisksRisks DetectionDetection ManagementManagement
After-Meal Peaks Defined ADA Goal:ADA Goal: <10 mmol 1-2 hrs after start of meal AACE Target:AACE Target: <7.8 mmol at peak European Diabetes Policy Group:European Diabetes Policy Group: <9 mmol (to prevent complications) International Diabetes Federation:International Diabetes Federation: < 7.8 mmol 2 hrs after meal The net rise that occurs from before eating to the highest point after eating.
After-Meal Goals for Children Under 5 Years:Under 5 Years: 1 hr. post-meal (<6.7 mmol Rise) 5-11 Years:5-11 Years: 1 hr. post-meal (<5.5 mmol Rise) 12 Years +12 Years + < 1 hr. post-meal (<4.4 mmol Rise)
After-Meal Peaks: Reality for children Source: Boland et al, Diabetes Care 24: 1858, 2001
After-Meal Peaks: Reality in Children Source: Boland et al, Diabetes Care 24: 1858, 2001
After-Meal Highs: Immediate Problems TirednessTiredness Difficulty ConcentratingDifficulty Concentrating Impaired Athletic PerformanceImpaired Athletic Performance Decreased desire to moveDecreased desire to move Mood ShiftsMood Shifts Enhanced HungerEnhanced Hunger
After-Meal Highs: Immediate Problems Australian Study of Children w/Type 1. Parents & children reported BG > 15 had negative impact on: –Thinking (68%) –Mood/Emotions (75%) –Coordination (53%) J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab Jul;19(7);
Long-Term Problems Relative Influence on HbA1c Source: Monnier et al, Diabetes Care, 26, 3/03,
Long-Term Problems (contd) Post-prandial glucose Range Time to onset of proteinuria Persistent < yrs Intermittent > yrs Persistent > 11>11 14 yrs 52 Type 1’s, similar BP between groups Source: Kidney Intl. 1987; 32 (supp 22): S53-S56
Long-Term Problems (contd) 22-yr CVD Mortality Risk by Baseline post-challenge glucose Source: Chicago Heart Study, Lowe et al, Diabetes Care, 1997; 20:
Measurement of After-Meal Peaks SMBGSMBG –Capillary (finger) test –After completion of meal –Check BG 1 Hr PP –(or) every 15, 20 or 30 min until 2 consecutive BG drops occur –No addl. Food/insulin until test is completed
Meter Test Example Interpretation: Excessive after-meal peak following breakfast; not after lunch or dinner BreakfastLunchDinner Pre1h PostPre1h PostPre1h Post
Meter Test Example TimeppBG Value Premeal6.8 :206.9 : : : : :009.9 Interpretation: Peak occurred at 1hr, 20min pp; rise from premeal to peak was approx. 5 mmol
Measurement of After-Meal Peaks iPro CGM (Medtronic)iPro CGM (Medtronic) –Worn for 72 hrs, then data is downloaded for analysis
Measurement of After-Meal Peaks Real-Time Continuous Glucose MonitorsReal-Time Continuous Glucose Monitors –Allow tracking of post- meal trends –Produce BG estimates every 1-5 minutes
CGMS Case Study 37 year old man
CGMS Case Study 8 year old girl
CGMS Case Studies 12 year old boy
After-Meal Spike Reduction Lifestyle ApproachesLifestyle Approaches Medicinal ApproachesMedicinal Approaches
Glycemic Index All carbs (except fiber) convert to blood glucose eventuallyAll carbs (except fiber) convert to blood glucose eventually G.I. Reflects the magnitude of blood glucose rise for the first 2 hours following ingestionG.I. Reflects the magnitude of blood glucose rise for the first 2 hours following ingestion G.I. Number is % or rise relative to pure glucose (100% of glucose is in bloodstream within 2 hours)G.I. Number is % or rise relative to pure glucose (100% of glucose is in bloodstream within 2 hours)
Glycemic Index (contd.) Example:Spaghetti GI = 37 Only 37% of spaghetti’s carbs turn into blood glucose in the first 2 hours. The rest will convert to blood glucose over the next several hours.
Glycemic Index (contd)
Use of Glycemic IndexUse of Glycemic Index –Lower GI foods digest & convert to glucose more slowly –High-fiber slower than low –Hi-fat slower than low –Solids slower than liquids –Cold foods slower than hot –Type of sugar/starch affects GI
Glycemic Index (contd.) Slow StuffAverage StuffFast Stuff Pasta Legumes Salad Veggies Dairy Chocolate Fruit Juice Pizza Soup Cake Breads/Crackers Salty Snacks Potatoes Rice Cereals Sugary Candies
Examples: Use of GI MealHigh-GI OptionsLow-GI Options Breakfast Cereal, Bagel, Waffle, Pancakes, Muffins Oatmeal, Milk, Whole Fruit Lunch White Bread, Fries, Tortillas, Cupcake Sourdough/Pumpernickel, Yogurt, Corn, Carrots Snacks Pretzels, Chips, Crackers, Doughnuts Fruit, Popcorn, Nuts, Ice Cream, Chocolate Dinner Rice, Mashed or Baked Potatoes, Rolls Pasta, Peas, Beans, Sweet Potato, Salad Veggies
Adding Acidity to the Meal ↓ 1-Hour BG rise by 55% –Vinegar/dressing –Tomatoes –Sourdough (Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 07/12/2005)
Split The Meal Part at the usual mealtime Part at the usual mealtime Part minutes later Part minutes later
Choice of Bolus Insulin Humalog Novolog or Apidra Vs. Regular Insulin 1-hr. peak 3-4 hr. effective duration 2-3 hr. peak 4-6 hr. effective duration
Timing of Bolus Insulin
(humalog/novolog) High GIModerate GILow GI BG Above Target Range30-40 min. prior15-20 min. prior0-5 min. prior BG Within Target Range15-20 min. prior0-5 min. prior15-20 min. after BG Below Target Range0-5 min. prior15-20 min. after30-40 min. after
Does Timing Matter? Note: Carbs estimated w/pre-meal insulin. Carbs known with post-meal insulin. Source: Clinical Therapeutics 2004; 26:
Does Timing Matter? Bolus w/mealBolus w/meal Bolus pre-mealBolus pre-meal
Choice of Insulin Program Lantus & MDI Vs. Daytime NPH/Lente Meal/snack boluses Prolonged peak covers midday meals/snacks
Injectible Symlin (Amylin Pharmaceuticals) Acts on CNS Appetite Slows gastric emptying Inhibits glucagon secretion Really flattens postprandial BGs
Injectible Symlin (Amylin Pharmaceuticals) Issues Nausea Must be injected*, cannot mix w/insulin Insulin doses must be adjusted, delayed Not yet FDA approved for children * pumped???
Effect of Pramlintide on Gastric Emptying in Type 1 Diabetes Mean Half-Emptying Time (h) ~1-h delay * 60 µg * 30 µgPlacebo Insulin + Placebo Insulin + Pramlintide Breakfast Single SC pramlintide doses: n = 11, crossover; *P<0.004; 99m Tc labelled pancake; solid component measured Data from Kong MF, et al. Diabetologia 1998; 41:
Pramlintide Reduces Postprandial Glucagon Type 1 Diabetes Time (h) Placebo Pramlintide Placebo or 25 µg/h pramlintide infusion Insulin Sustacal ® Type 2 Diabetes, Late Stage Time (h) Plasma Glucagon (pg/mL) Insulin Sustacal ® Placebo or 100 µg/h pramlintide infusion Plasma Glucagon (pg/mL) Type 2 diabetes, n = 12; AUC 1-4 h : P = Type 1 diabetes, n = 9; AUC 1-5 h : P<0.001; Data from: Fineman M, et al. Metabolism 2002; 51: ; Fineman M, et al. Horm Metab Res 2002; 34:
Pramlintide Reduces Caloric Intake in Type 2 Diabetes Protein CHO Fat CHO Fat Protein -202 kcal (-23%) P <0.01 Ad-Libitum Caloric Intake (kcal) Placebo Pramlintide n = 11; subjects given buffet meal Pramlintide (single SC injection, 120 g) Data from Chapman I, et al. Diabetologia 2005; 48:
Pre-Meal Hypoglycemia “Sieve Effect” Accelerates gastric emptying of liquids and solids Produces more rapid BG rise after meal J Clin Endo Metab 2005; 90: A v o i d P r e – M e a l L o w s !
Physical Activity Intervention Muscle Use Soon After Eating Accelerated Delayed Glucose Uptake/ Insulin Absorption Digestion Utilization Improved After-Meal Control
Examples: After-Meal/Snack Activity Walking Pets Household Chores Planned Exercise Yard Work Gym Class??? Shooting Hoops Dancing Bowling Mini Golf Skating
Examples: After-Meal/Snack Activity “Free Time With Siblings”
Summary After-Meal Blood Sugar Levels Are: Important to Control Measurable Manageable
For More Information: Gary Scheiner MS, CDE Integrated Diabetes Services (877-SELF-MGT) Website: