I have saved a really good article on melatonin and diabetes (was published by either Mayo or maybe Harvard Med - a decent source that I just can't find at the moment)

Working from memory their recommendation for diabetics taking melatonin were

Don't take it during the day, period.

It does raise blood sugar but it also raises insulin levels. That latter can almost be the worse problem later in the day (after lunch) when your insulin resistance naturally increases making the entire matter of sugar "worse" later in the day.

So during the "day" you want low melatonin levels particularly if you are diabetic. It is "not natural to have high sugars, high insulin AND high melatonin levels at the same time and your (biorhythm) kinda freaks out a bit and jacks your sugars.

Taking one of the slow/long release formula supplements later in the evening does not have that effect but they still suggested a couple weeks on and a couple weeks off (for prolonged use).

It is "normal" to have high melatonin and low insulin levels at night - that's what your body wants (and doesn't care about sugar levels as long as they don't start dropping too low)

So if you take it you want to time it so that it's "burned up" before morning.

First one - there are different forms of insomnia (trouble getting to sleep, waking in the middle of sleep etc)

Diabetes puts you at risk for two specific forms of insomnia - sleep apnea (interrupted breathing/snoring) which wakes you up and restless leg syndrome (just like it sounds - your legs twitch and wake you up).

Those are actual "disorders".

Then either High OR Low blood sugars can cause sleep to be restless.

The high sugar keeps you awake since your (system) is trying to burn it off so lots of hormone active.

Low blood sugar can cause "night sweats" - I think most of us at one time or another even before being diabetic have woke up out of a sound sleep drenched in sweat - that is the effect of low sugar OR a sugar crash.

Of course, it can be many causes besides diabetes.

Diet Soft Drinks - as long as they are listed as "zero calories" they have zero carbs.

Some "sugar free" will have carbs - they aren't lying, they just didn't use "sugar" but may have used something else to sweeten that contains carbs.

Most zero calorie versions are sweetened with artificial sweeteners (zero carbs, zero Glycemic Index).

There is many "theories" on the internet about how bad these artificials are for you. According to the FDA (and Health Canada in my case), in quantities up to 15 cans a day (as high as they tested) they have been designated as G.R.A.S. which stands for Generally Regarded As Safe - essentially they haven't found any "negative consequence" to drinking up to that amount daily.

So doesn't mean it's good for you, but no harm detected AND they are totally diabetes friendly - same effect as "water" on your blood sugar.

(some of them do taste like crap though) 😂

I used to take Melatonin until I read it could raise your sugars. Is that true?