Diabetes, as you know is a complex situation in which the body has reduced ability to remove sugar from the blood into cells.  Most of the sugar is removed with the help of insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to the body's blood sugar level. 

Diabetic control is multi factorial, a combination of food and exercise, stress management and newer research showing how gut microbiome (gut bacteria) influences diabetic control  (Dore, 2013).  There are a number roles gut microbe plays are role and is dependent on the type of microbiome present:

• the gut's barrier can be compromised and weakened (Vitatta, 2013)
• the amount and type of short chain fatty acids can have a protective effect to the gut lining, and also affects insulin  effectiveness (Evens, 2013)
• gut microbe trans-location -  gut microbes leaving the gut and settling in tissues else where in the body, often fat tissue. This increases inflammation in the settled tissue l reducing insulin sensitivity creating insulin resistance and therefore higher blood glucose levels. (Potgieter, 2015)
• Everything we eat, and drinks affects the gut microbial colonies within 24 hours. Which makes diet and effect treatment method. An important point to consider is there is a significant difference in they types of bugs depending on the primary type of diet we eat ie. plant vs animal based eating creates very different colonies.  Plant based diet creates more short chain fatty acids, which, as pointed out earlier improves gut barrier, immune response, insulin sensitivity and decreases inflammation (Turnbaugh, 2007)
• However, the effectiveness of dietary treatment and gut health for diabetes, needs to consider if a person is sensitive to foods, such as amines, glutimates or salicylates, or other pro-inflammatory responses.  Just increasing vegies and fruits is not enough if they cause gastric or immune irritation.

In summary, there is supportive science to show a relationship between gut health (microbial balance) and the body's ability to balance blood sugar. Its effectiveness is compounded by many other factors such as the type of food one eats, stress and medication' the amount of damage or memory the cells have for diabetes and nutritional deficiencies that has been developed over time.  Liver function, immune and hormonal systems are big players in diabetic control, and it isn't only about energy in or energy out, nor about carbs in and sugar being burnt off.   To make a difference to your diabetes it is still a holistic approach. Diet, lifestyle, and not 'bug' therapy to help rebalance the gut bugs and bring about less inflammation and insulin disruption. 

Dore, J., 2013. Hot topics in gut microbiota. UEG Journal, 1(5), pp. 311-318.
Potgieter, M. B. J. K. D. P. E., 2015. The dormant blood microbiome in chronic, inflammatory diseases. FEMS Microbiology Reviews, 39(13), pp. 567-591.
​Turnbaugh, P. e. a., 2007. The human microbiome project: exploring the microbial part of ourselves in a changing world. Nature, 449(7164), pp. 804-810.
Vitatta, L. A. H., 2013. The pharmacrobitoic potential of the gastrointestinal tract micro -biometabolome-probiotic connect: A brief commentary.. Drug Development Research , Volume 74, pp. 353-359.

Blood sugars are the primary focus of diabetes management, and as health care practitioners, we take great care in knowing what our clients are eating, and doing that create the client's blood sugars.  It isn't because we are sadistic, though some clients may think this, it is because we know the smallest changes can have some of the biggest positive impacts on our clients' health. 

Let me put this into a bit more of a perspective.  A person with diabetes is less able to remove the sugar from the blood as easily or efficiently than a person without diabetes.  This is a given. We also know from the research there are many factors that both increase blood sugar levels, and many that also take the sugar out of the blood to help maintain safe levels. Blood sugar that is more in the safe range more often than not makes  a big difference to the body's well being.  So, lets quickly look at what puts sugars up, and what brings them back down again.  Remember this is a simplistic view of a complex set of actions. 

At any time of change, it is important to know what the impact the change is having, in this case on your blood sugar levels.  So, burrow or purchase a blood glucose monitor and starting testing both before and 2 hours after eating food. Your health carer to guide through more tailored steps of change.

Making the Sugar go down
This is the good bit, knowing you can alter your blood sugar levels being doing any or all of the following points.   

Choose foods that give you nutrient rich carbohydrates, and not empty. These include fruit, whole grains, unprocessed foods that are also low GI. Limit adding sugar to foods, and include lots of free vegetables, healthy fats and proteins. The actual amounts of the various types of foods depends on your age, activity levels and gender. 

Rule of thumb - least processed the better.  Real food is super important, it feeds the body the building blocks so the body can do what it needs to do. The fibre feeds the good bacteria, and the best bit, all these things combined, reduce inflammation, one of the driving factors of diabetes.