What is Trulicity?
Trulicity is a medicine injected into people with type 2 diabetes to control blood sugar levels. It is taken with a proper diet and exercise to enhance blood sugar management. Trulicity is also used to treat people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease to minimize the risk of any cardiac issues like a heart attack or stroke.
Before taking this medication, one must make sure that they take care of any prior allergies they have to this. If you have, a family history of thyroid cancer, diabetic ketoacidosis, Slow digestion, liver or kidney disease.
Serious effects of Trulicity
- Thyroid Cancer:
Consuming Trulicity might increase the risk of having thyroid cancer. Possible symptoms include:
Shortness of breath
Lump in the neck
Trouble in swallowing
What might help
If you develop any above-mentioned symptoms, make sure to consult your doctor right away. Share all the medical history regarding any relative having thyroid cancer. It is preferred not to take Trulicity if any of your family members ever went through any type of cancer.
- Weight loss:
Weight loss might also occur because of Trulicity. People consuming this medication lose weight far more quickly than the ones having other diabetic medicines.
What might help
Inform your doctor if you are experiencing digestive issues. They may be able to suggest strategies to alleviate your problems. Consult your doctor if you are concerned about losing weight while taking Trulicity. They can advise you on healthy strategies to control your weight.
How does it work?
GLP 1 receptors in your pancreas aid insulin release, lowering blood sugar levels. If you have type 2 diabetes, you are most likely to have insulin resistance as your body isn’t producing enough insulin. Resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. Trulicity promotes insulin production by activating GLP-1 receptors. Trulicity, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, also helps to suppress the release of glucagon, a hormone that elevates blood sugar levels. GLP-1 receptor agonists help manage blood sugar levels by activating these receptors. Trulicity may aid in weight loss by reducing appetite and increasing fullness by delaying stomach emptying. If you are overweight or obese, losing weight can assist increase insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels. As a result, Trulicity weight reduction may be possible.
Foods to avoid with Trulicity
- Added sugar
Added sugar is sugar-contained syrups or ingredients that are used in processed foods. Naturally present sugar in vegetables and fruits is not added sugar. Some examples of added sugar are:
Brown sugar
Cane juice
Dextrose
Fructose
Malt syrup
Lactose
Having these types of sugar can create a lot of problems for your health. These can easily spike the blood level in your body. Also, go over the full ingredient list. Remember that food is listed in descending weight order. So, if the ingredient list label says peanuts, sugar, and oil, you know the product is largely made up of peanuts and sugar.
- Fried foods
Fried foods can aggravate nausea by delaying stomach emptying. Trulicity can induce nausea and stomach issues, especially because your body is still getting used to it. having nausea with Trulicity you should avoid and limit your intake of fried foods. Instead of fried items, you can avail the options of grilled, baked, and steamed options.
- Refined grains
Refined grains are foods that are mainly rice, wheat, oats, etc. This also includes pasta, bread, breakfast cereals, oatmeal, etc. Refined grains are milled, which helps removes the germs. This results in a finer–textured grain and increases shelf life. It does however eliminate health advantages such as dietary fiber, iron, and several vitamins B. A few examples of refined grain might include:
White rice
White bread
White flour
- Gluten and carbohydrates
Gluten-containing foods can induce stomach distress and diarrhea. Avoid these items by substituting beans, nuts, soy products, or vegetables that have fewer carbs. Carbs such as rice cakes, pasta, and white potatoes should also be avoided because they contain more carbohydrates than other options. If you must eat them, limit yourself to one serving at a time to avoid your body producing too many insulin units. Instead, you may receive enough carbs from other sources, such as vegetables and fruits. At the same time, gluten-containing meals can be healthier than other carbohydrates since they take longer to digest. This implies that your blood sugar will not jump as it would after consuming a candy bar or a doughnut. When taking Trulicity, substitute any of these “safe” carbs.
Diabetes-friendly recipes
- Chicken Veggie Stirfry
Stir fry is an easy-to-make dinner option feasible for people having type 2 diabetes. It contains many healthy vegetable options like carrots, broccoli, and green onions along with chicken being a good protein choice. Per serving of this meal contains 220 calories. If you would like to have more carbs, this recipe then can be served with brown rice.
- Vegetarian lentil tacos
Using pulses like lentils instead of standard taco grains like rice may decrease sugar digestion, decreasing blood sugar levels. One serving of this offers 145 calories.
- Burger lettuce wraps
This is a very healthy recipe without any sugar, carbs, etc. Each burger offers 242 calories, keeping you healthy and satisfying your craving for a good burger.
- Mexican chopped salad
This recipe is loaded with many vegetables that don’t include starch, like onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, etc. One-eighth of this recipe has 228 calories.
How to avoid the side effects of Trulicity?
- Use it same time on the same day
Trulicity is administered once a week beneath the skin in your thigh, stomach, and upper arm through a disposable prefilled pan. It should be injected at the same time and on the same day each week. If you must deviate from your previously scheduled day allow at least three days between injections. It should also be injected in a different place each time.
- Low blood sugar symptoms
If you have hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, consume something rich in sugar, such as a non-diet Coke, fruit juice, or hard candy. For extreme hypoglycemia, your healthcare professional may prescribe a glucagon injection kit.