Management of Postprandial Blood Glucose in Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with type-2 diabetes have more than half the day in the post meal state. Elevation in post meal plasma glucose is due to loss of first phase insulin secretion, decreased insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues and consequent decreased suppression of hepatic glucose output after meals due to insulin deficiency. Elevated or exaggerated post meal response is directly responsible for endothelial dysfunction and pro-atherogenic states. Post-meal hyperglycemia is a prominent early defect in type-2 diabetes patients.