Hi does anyone with Pbc eat lots of sugar (fruit, dessert, juice etc)? I'm trying to see if there is a link with insulin resistance & Pbc

[Donna1974]

Hi I've always had a sweet tooth but seem to crave sugar more now even it's fruit, juice, honey, sweeten yoghurt etc I figured it helped with my fatigue but since my liver enzymes have got markedly higher I'm wondering if i really need to curb my sugar intake as it's possibly contributing to the inflammation and insulin resistance which is double trouble for my liver. I've cut down in the last few days and am amazed at how much bulge has already shifted from my waist. Anyone else out there with a sugar addiction? Problem with insulin resistance? Or good results cutting sugar?

[cazz22]

Hello Donna.you may have hit on something there.sort of enjoyed some sweet things over the years but could take it or leave it but find myself actively seeking sweet things(tho I pay for it later if it's chocolate

[ZiggyBean]

Sugar is terrible for the liver and your health in general. If you stop eating sugar the cravings do go away

[daff]

Hi Donna i have had sweet sugar cravings i sometimes have a t spoon of jam,marmalade .chocolate spread what i have been doing this past couple of days is putting a slice of lemon in a cup and pour hot water on it and when it cools down i sip it and i have found i dont want sugar things to eat, try it see what you think.I make this my first drink when i get up.

[NotorDJP]

I've noticed I want sugar a lot lately. But it is true, if you go off it, you want it less. I will NOT use sugar substitutes though. They are far worse. If I go lower carb, I notice the cravings stop. I don't mind fruit though, but high fructose corn syrup is bad for you and in lots of stuff in the US. I don't know as much in the UK.

[barkway]

I just looked it up , sugar is good for the liver, I enjoy my sweets and feel fine, I have suffered from

pbc for over 20 years, all in moderation I say,

[Brummi]

Hi, It makes interesting reading about sweet foods, sugar and sweetners. As most of you know by now I had a liver transplant in June 2013, one of the drawbacks is the steroids gave me diabetes which I am now insulin reliant. Another problem I have is trying to put weight back on , at the moment I am 10 St 1lb, Post liver transplant I have certain foods I cannot have as they affect my anti-rejection tablets. The consultant recommended sweetners as opposed to sugar , the pancreas which turns sugars in insulin for the body also supplies the liver. It's not easy trying to balance sweet foods to try to put on weight and and sugar levels. As you read this please remember that this is how I went after my operation I emphasize this may not be how other people react..Always check with your doctors and do not forget I am not a doctor but I have 24 /7 phone lines for help with my Diabetes and Dietician... Good luck and always be positive..

[Julez1961]

I have never been a sweet tooth, but sometimes I absolutely crave Coca-Cola normally I would never ever drink the stuff as it is so bad for you. I figure when I do crave them I must be so low in sugar I reach for a quick sugar fix. Weird! The dietician isn't to worried as I am eating so little food as I feel nauseous.

I am awaiting my liver transplant but I'm relatively well at the moment. Just don't xray me or take my blood!

[Brummi]

Hi , I take insulin for Diabetes, the diabetic nurse said me if I feel a hyper comming on it means my sugars are low, a cup of hot water with a couple of table spoons full of sugar will do the trick. When the sugar dissolves it makes a glucos drink. The old tale of a Mars bar is not used anymore as it takes to long to get into the system.

[Lindilou]

Hi Donna,

I am a chocoholic and crave a sweet fix after every meal and with tea or coffee. Just had a little surf on the net after reading your posts and stumbled across this article. I have not read all of it though, might be an interesting read?

nytimes.com/2011/04/17/maga...

Interested in the part that says

'The fructose component of sugar and H.F.C.S. is metabolized primarily by the liver, while the glucose from sugar and starches is metabolized by every cell in the body. Consuming sugar (fructose and glucose) means more work for the liver than if you consumed the same number of calories of starch (glucose). And if you take that sugar in liquid form — soda or fruit juices — the fructose and glucose will hit the liver more quickly than if you consume them, say, in an apple (or several apples, to get what researchers would call the equivalent dose of sugar). The speed with which the liver has to do its work will also affect how it metabolizes the fructose and glucose'