Late post today…I was busy sleeping in 🙂 Glooorious!
Last night we went over to our friend’s, Tiffany and Matt, home for dinner. Tiffany is a wonderful cook and Matt is a grill MASTER! We had a wonderful Cedar-Smoked Maple-Glazed Salmon served with farro. YUM!
I contributed a fruit salad:
Thanks Tiffany and Matt! 😀
Adding ginseng to the mix…
The 2 grams of Metformin I am taking daily to help lower my blood glucose (thanks to PCOS) doesn’t seem to be cutting it. My fasting numbers are yet to get out of the mid-to-upper 90’s and I want them in the 80’s! After doing some research and supplement hunting, I have decided to try Asian Ginseng to help lower my blood glucose.
There is a lot of research in support of ginseng use for glucose-lowering effects. And I’ve consulted text books from my undergraduate years, as well as a little gift from Celestial Seasonings…
I almost wish I didn’t know as much as I do about blood glucose! When we got back from frozen custard last night, my blood glucose was 88. This morning fasting, it was 94. So frustrating! Meformin is designed to slow down hepatic glucose production meaning that it suppresses the amount of sugar the liver outputs, as well as make insulin in the body more sensitive to glucose. With my fasting glucose unchanged on a high dose of Metformin, I am utterly confused! I am very pleased with the way my body processes carbohydrates when I eat, however. A silver lining, if you will! My liver is just extra sweet, I guess! 🙁
In order to help my fasting blood glucose, I’ve decided to give ginseng a try. I purchased these 2 supplements:
Note the GMP logo:
As well as ginseng drops:
There is a lot of varying opinion on ginseng dosing, so I am going to start with 1-2 grams a day. I plan to take the ginseng in the morning to help avoid any insomnia — a side effect of ginseng as it is known as an “energy” supplement. It’s also good for immunity!
Here goes nothing!
Lily wanted to say hi. I think the heat has increase her appetite…she layed like this all morning wanting more breakfast!
Question: What are you up to today? How’s the weather near you? 97º F and sunny in Tulsa! HOT HOT HOT!
Staying cool,
Julie @ Pickley Pear says
June 19, 2010 at 10:15 am90 and sunny and HUMID in Detroit! Just came back from a sweaty walk! That’s interesting about the Ginseng. I hope it works for you, as it’s ‘natural’ that would be even better!
Diane says
June 19, 2010 at 11:00 amI am really curious to see how you fare on ginseng ! I tried it myself for balancing hormones, but it really had no impact at all on me. I think different herbs and supplements respond differently to different people, and if one is not working it does not mean that the herb is ineffective- just not for you. If you have no luck with the ginseng, it might be worth your wile to give fenugreek a try ( it lowers blood sugar) as well as milk thistle. Do some research on how these might potentially interact with Metaformin because they may be contra- indicated due to a synergistic affect. Keep digging, keep trying , and you will eventually find what is right for your body.
And farro- YUMMY !!!
Tiffany says
June 19, 2010 at 11:45 amAt least it’s not garlic! Stinky! 🙂 look forward to seeing the analysis and maybe give red raspberry leaf tea a try. Loved having you over and enjoyed my breakfast fruit bc of you!
shelby says
June 19, 2010 at 11:57 amYour salmon photo made me die a little. I miss having a grill so, so much! Sigh.
Good luck staying cool! 97 is scorchin!
homecookedem says
June 19, 2010 at 12:08 pmGood luck with the ginseng. I’ll be interested to see what your results are.
Hehe, Lily made me giggle with that pic! 😉 Sometimes I feel the exact same way… haha!
It’s hot here too!! I went on a walk with my puppy this morning and it was quite steamy!!
Faith says
June 19, 2010 at 1:02 pmLol, Lily is too cute! Let us know how it goes with the ginseng, that’s really interesting. It’s hot and humid here! 🙂
Evan Thomas says
June 19, 2010 at 1:36 pm97?! Ridiculous. These are the days I’m happy I live north
Alison says
June 19, 2010 at 1:56 pm97 poor Lily! It’s 52 here 🙁 can we please split the difference? I am curious how the ginseng works, my cousin is a Chinese medicine practitioner and says it works very well. If the processed stuff works even a little it might be worth seeking out a Chinese medicine practitioner and getting the really fresh stuff, they can even set a dose based on your body.
Kerstin says
June 19, 2010 at 1:58 pmWow, that salmon looks amazing! I’m jealous of your friend’s cedar plank. I hope the ginseng supplements are helpful!
Lele says
June 19, 2010 at 4:20 pmOooh I have pretty well managed PCOS but am totally intrigued by ginseng. Particularly since it’s so nice and natural!
FoodFitnessFreshair says
June 19, 2010 at 4:34 pmI absolutely love that kind of salmon! It’s a hot one here today too. I’m visiting family in VA, and it’s supposed to be 99 tomorrow! Have a good weekend.
Samantha @ Food Edu says
June 19, 2010 at 8:41 pmIt is unusually cool in these parts–between 85 and 90 for June is really not typical. I hope the ginseng thing works out for you–I look foward to seeing what your results are! And that looks like some excellent grilled salmon!
slamdunk says
June 19, 2010 at 9:55 pmIt will be interesting to see how the Ginseng impacts you.
Not 97 today but sunny and hot for us at the beach as we get started on week 2 of the vacation.
Fit Chick in the City says
June 20, 2010 at 6:44 amWow, that is hot! I can’t wait to hear more about how the ginseng effects you or doesn’t!
The Candid RD says
June 20, 2010 at 7:09 amHey Nicole! I actually take ginseng every once in a while for an energy boost, have you noticed that? Something else that happens is it makes my appetite decrease a bit, which I don’t necessarily want, which is why I only take it maybe 1-2 times per week. My mom bought a large bottle to take and I just stole some (well I asked her) and we both think they work. that being said, I hope they work for your BS!! That would be fantastic. Keep us updated!
Lee says
June 20, 2010 at 10:57 amI think the high here is like 95. Ugh.
Holly says
June 20, 2010 at 3:23 pm97?! Holy moly! It’s about 90 degrees here today…and HUMID. My hair is in full ‘fro mode. 🙂
I can’t wait to hear what you think about the ginseng! I have been uncharacteristically TIRED lately, so I might think about taking those drops, too.
CaSaundra says
June 20, 2010 at 6:29 pmI bet that meat tasted fabulous cooked like that on the grill–I love laid-back summer meals! 🙂
Tes says
June 20, 2010 at 9:15 pmI love salmon. I’ve been thinking of cooking it today, too. Today it’s couldy and it seems like it’s gonna rain anytime. I have to take my little spiderman for vacination today… and later on I hoping for making a plum jam. I love ginseng, too. My sister used to carry the dried ginseng for us from Hong Kong, it’s really great for soup and good for health.
Joanne says
June 20, 2010 at 10:11 pmI’m so sorry to hear about your blood sugar problems! That must be so frustrating. You’ll have to keep us posted on how the ginseng works out!
Sushma Mallya says
June 21, 2010 at 2:45 amHope this works for you…
Bethany says
June 22, 2010 at 8:29 pmI was taking the Korean ginseng (I recently was put on metformin) and I asked my Doctor about it and she asked me not to take the ginseng with the metformin. I’m just curious if you spoke with your Doc about it. (Not judging just curious!)
Nicole says
June 22, 2010 at 9:08 pmThere is a risk of hypoglycemic episodes with high doses of ginseng + metformin, yep. And both are processed by the liver so labs should be monitored with the use of both, but it is not contraindicated by my endo so long as I check my blood sugar and have regular labs she thinks it’s fine. I’m only taking 150 mg…I fear the insomnia! Great point though, thanks for having my back 🙂