Diabetes Type 2 Support Group
Type 2 Diabetes is a condition in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or does not make efficient use of it. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert food into glucose, a sugar that the body uses for energy. Without enough insulin, glucose can accumulate in the blood, and can cause serious health problems such as heart disease and strokes and organ damage...
Hi All.
I urge all of you here to google Dr. Jason Fung- Intensive Dietary Mangagement Blog and start reading.
When I was diagnosed in mid-December, I was TERRIFIED and started researching as fast and furious as I could. Having conducted research myself (on another topic-- not Diabetes), I know how to separate credible research from badly done research (poor study design, minimal time for the study, limited study participants, study conclusion written by someone paid off by the pharmaceutical companies and/or the processed food industry). My search led me to this doctor and his Blog.
I started by adopting a ketogenic diet: low carb (less that 40 grams per day), plentiful healthy fat (olive oil, avocados, nuts, full-fat dairy, fatty fish), moderate lean protein (includes 100% grass fed beef), plentiful fiber, NO SUGAR OR SUGAR SUBSTITUTES (except Steevia-- the brands that add nothing), a little fruit (1/2 cup serving of apple, pear, or berries only).
I added, gradually, Intermittent Fasting. First, stopped eating breakfast everyday and did not snack. Later, I ate lunch later and later (more hours before I "broke my fast"). After that, I moved towards fasting twice a week- I eat dinner one day, and eat nothing until eating dinner on the following day, which constitutes a 24-hour fast.
According to Dr. Fung, who treats people for both obesity and diabetes, controlling blood glucose is a very good thing, HOWEVER, merely controlling one's blood glucose levels means that we, who suffer from Type 2, will be guaranteed to gradually need more and more medication at higher and higher doses, until we will progress to needing insulin, and then need more and more insulin, until we will start having the horrific complications of diabetes. We will slow, but not stop the progression.
That is because-- he says-- treating blood glucose levels is paramount to treating a fever (the symptom), but not treating the underlying cause of the symptom-- the infection. High BG is only the symptom of diabetes. Insulin Resistance IS the disease. By eating low carb/plentiful good fat/moderate protein/plentiful fiber, and engaging in IT (describe in his Blog), we can and do actually get better!
By eating the way he has his patients eat, and by fasting, those of us with Type 2 can and do repair and restore the beta cells in our pancreas, as long as we have not had diabetes for too long (Type 2's only-- not Type 1's). We can and will increase insulin sensitivity. We can and will decrease insulin resistance.
His blog includes several links to some of his lectures that have been put on YouTube. They help us to better understand our disease. They can help us to understand why his approach makes sense. The later Blog entries-- this month and last month's-- give specifics on how to do the Intermittent Fasting.
I was diagnosed in mid-December. I have lost 35 pounds since then, even though I have had limited ability to exercise (had hip replacement surgery 6 weeks ago, and will have the 2nd hip surgery next week-- making it tough to do much). I have shed my need for blood pressure medication. My cholesterol levels have improved markedly. My a1c has gone from 9.0 to 5.6. My resting (first thing in the morning) BG number is always in the 80's now. I test 7X per day: first thing in the morning. Before and 2 hours after meals. My BG stays in the mid-70s to mid-80's all of the time, now. I am NOT hungry while I am fasting, until mid- to late-afternoon, and I can and do easily distract myself until it is time for dinner. I DO drink coffee every morning, and put in heavy cream (delicious). Low fat products are NOT good for us-- they have more lactose (sugar) and therefore trigger more insulin, which is already too plentiful in our bodies-- just can't be used effectively to open our cell walls to get the glucose into the cells for energy.
Anyway, I would urge everyone here to read Dr. Fung's Blog, and consider adopting this lifestyle. It is free. And as Fung says, eating less costs less, too! While Dr. Fung is, of course, offering the information freely because he is making a name for himself and trying to attract potential patients, becoming part of his patient-group is absolutely not at all necessary in order to make use of the information.
Trying all of this out has no down side, in my opinion, except that if you are already taking insulin, you would, of course, need medical supervision so as to not go into hypo when you are fasting.
The American Diabetes Association guidelines are WRONG. The American Diabetes Association is funded by the food industry and the big pharmaceutical companies-- who benefit by our getting addicted to sugar and carbs-- and keeping us addicted to processed foods that have sugar and carbs. We do NOT need grains-- and whole wheat products, quinoa, and oatmeal are merely less bad, rather than healthful for us.
I would encourage you all to take a close look at all of this and try it out.
I urge all of you here to google Dr. Jason Fung- Intensive Dietary Mangagement Blog and start reading.
When I was diagnosed in mid-December, I was TERRIFIED and started researching as fast and furious as I could. Having conducted research myself (on another topic-- not Diabetes), I know how to separate credible research from badly done research (poor study design, minimal time for the study, limited study participants, study conclusion written by someone paid off by the pharmaceutical companies and/or the processed food industry). My search led me to this doctor and his Blog.
I started by adopting a ketogenic diet: low carb (less that 40 grams per day), plentiful healthy fat (olive oil, avocados, nuts, full-fat dairy, fatty fish), moderate lean protein (includes 100% grass fed beef), plentiful fiber, NO SUGAR OR SUGAR SUBSTITUTES (except Steevia-- the brands that add nothing), a little fruit (1/2 cup serving of apple, pear, or berries only).
I added, gradually, Intermittent Fasting. First, stopped eating breakfast everyday and did not snack. Later, I ate lunch later and later (more hours before I "broke my fast"). After that, I moved towards fasting twice a week- I eat dinner one day, and eat nothing until eating dinner on the following day, which constitutes a 24-hour fast.
According to Dr. Fung, who treats people for both obesity and diabetes, controlling blood glucose is a very good thing, HOWEVER, merely controlling one's blood glucose levels means that we, who suffer from Type 2, will be guaranteed to gradually need more and more medication at higher and higher doses, until we will progress to needing insulin, and then need more and more insulin, until we will start having the horrific complications of diabetes. We will slow, but not stop the progression.
That is because-- he says-- treating blood glucose levels is paramount to treating a fever (the symptom), but not treating the underlying cause of the symptom-- the infection. High BG is only the symptom of diabetes. Insulin Resistance IS the disease. By eating low carb/plentiful good fat/moderate protein/plentiful fiber, and engaging in IT (describe in his Blog), we can and do actually get better!
By eating the way he has his patients eat, and by fasting, those of us with Type 2 can and do repair and restore the beta cells in our pancreas, as long as we have not had diabetes for too long (Type 2's only-- not Type 1's). We can and will increase insulin sensitivity. We can and will decrease insulin resistance.
His blog includes several links to some of his lectures that have been put on YouTube. They help us to better understand our disease. They can help us to understand why his approach makes sense. The later Blog entries-- this month and last month's-- give specifics on how to do the Intermittent Fasting.
I was diagnosed in mid-December. I have lost 35 pounds since then, even though I have had limited ability to exercise (had hip replacement surgery 6 weeks ago, and will have the 2nd hip surgery next week-- making it tough to do much). I have shed my need for blood pressure medication. My cholesterol levels have improved markedly. My a1c has gone from 9.0 to 5.6. My resting (first thing in the morning) BG number is always in the 80's now. I test 7X per day: first thing in the morning. Before and 2 hours after meals. My BG stays in the mid-70s to mid-80's all of the time, now. I am NOT hungry while I am fasting, until mid- to late-afternoon, and I can and do easily distract myself until it is time for dinner. I DO drink coffee every morning, and put in heavy cream (delicious). Low fat products are NOT good for us-- they have more lactose (sugar) and therefore trigger more insulin, which is already too plentiful in our bodies-- just can't be used effectively to open our cell walls to get the glucose into the cells for energy.
Anyway, I would urge everyone here to read Dr. Fung's Blog, and consider adopting this lifestyle. It is free. And as Fung says, eating less costs less, too! While Dr. Fung is, of course, offering the information freely because he is making a name for himself and trying to attract potential patients, becoming part of his patient-group is absolutely not at all necessary in order to make use of the information.
Trying all of this out has no down side, in my opinion, except that if you are already taking insulin, you would, of course, need medical supervision so as to not go into hypo when you are fasting.
The American Diabetes Association guidelines are WRONG. The American Diabetes Association is funded by the food industry and the big pharmaceutical companies-- who benefit by our getting addicted to sugar and carbs-- and keeping us addicted to processed foods that have sugar and carbs. We do NOT need grains-- and whole wheat products, quinoa, and oatmeal are merely less bad, rather than healthful for us.
I would encourage you all to take a close look at all of this and try it out.
all diets, etc should be discussed with your doctor, a dietician or even an endocrinologist...some people can handle but others cannot handle a diet that is not the norm
i think writing so much would take one into hypo...........jk.
Most all food and drugs these days are full of chemicals that the body just does not recognize at all because they are not natural. Because of this they are not digesting either. I believe that is why cancer is on the increase too.
I do not think the Diabetes Assn has a good approach either. Too many chemicals in what they suggest. (low-cal dressings, margarine etc comes with a price to the body)
I am going to try this, I always believe 'nothing ventured nothing gained' and doctors along with the medical profession do not even have the time or take the time to learn.
I have always been a person to 'swim up stream' and not 'go with the flow' amazing what I have learned in my life because of it. Of course be aware that most people are not this way....but then all the inventions we have would have never been created by them either because they fear they will fail. How sad.....
Remember you don't have to have high grades to get a diploma at any college (I worked at one, so I know what goes out to be caked "professionals")
They have never been able to teach a person common sense either.
Groups on DS are all about learning new ways to help each other. Anyone can go to a dr and hear all the same stories in fact most of us already have.
Shalom to you.
I was diagnosed in April of last year. I followed the advice of my doctor and nutritionist and my blood sugar climbed.... into the 200's (we doubled the metformin to 1000mgs) then the 300's (added glimeperide) then the 400's and my A1c was 10.8 and we added insulin, 25 units. All this in 6 months. I was on Nutrisystem's diabetic plan and was losing weight..... But my sugars were out of control. 175 at 9am.... 62 at noon... 210 at bedtime.... I had read about LCHF and thought those are some extreme people..... BUT all the people in the regular diebetes group were talking about meds, neuropathy pain, gaining weight, glaucoma, kidney failure, feeling generally like shit..... and everyone in the LCHF group was talking about losing weight, getting off meds, running marathons, exchanging recipes for fat bombs.... Seriously, who do I want to live with? It's worth a try, right? 60 days in and I am dropping weight, my blood sugar was completely in control in less than a week (between 80 and 110), My A1c last month was 5.2. I am off insulin and glimeperide. I get to drop half of the metformin if my numbers stay good then the other half by the end of August. As for the fasting.... the daily fasting makes my BG go up... but I did do a 3 day water fast and felt fabulous..... my sugars settled down on the second day and stayed within 5 points of 80....
The reason for the high fat in the diet is because your body does need an energy source. If you take away carbs then you need to supply something else or you will start breaking down muscle to convert to glucose. Provide the fat and your body runs efficiently and leaves your muscle alone.
I guess it's not for everyone but my dearest friend died from diabetes at 47..... I plan to live to twice that and if I have to give up bread and cherries..... I'm totally ok with that.
We are unique beings-- each and every one of us. While T2 Diabetes may fall under the same umbrella, how it affects each of us, and what ways we find, individually, to best manage OUR version of the disease, is unique too.
Rather than argue/fight or label and unfamiliar or not-my-way method for managing, I think that forums like these are great places to share ways that we help ourselves that may help others. No?
In a previous post, someone suggested that LCHF and IF are "fads" and that eating carbs is necessary-- part of a healthy and varied diet (I am paraphrasing, here, not using that individual's words). A few people said that they cannot fast, and gave varying reasons as to why that is so. Others suggested that only with a doctor and/or RD's blessing should we try out LCHF and/or IF. Those are opinions. I accept, completely that they disapprove of my way of managing my T2 Diabetes. However, my results have been pretty spectacular. Enough so that I think others are entitled to do their own investigation and consider whether or not they wish to try this out for themselves.
Many to most of our doctors and RDs do not have the degree of expertise on diabetes that some/many of us assume that they have, or are busy treating patients the same way that they have been doing so for many years, and are NOT keeping up with current research. We, not they, must live with T2 Diabetes. We, not they, must take charge of OUR health management-- my opinion. I am not a medical expert, BUT I AM an expert on ME and MY BRAND OF THIS DISEASE. I am the one who must live with the consequences of handing over blind trust to someone just because they have a medical degree, when that is not necessarily a great idea that will keep ME as healthy as possible.
I am an adoption expert. I present all over the world on adoption and race, and racial difference between adoptive parents and their transracially adopted youngsters. I am well aware that (a) lots of "experts" give very bad advice-- advice that grown adoptees and their large worldwide organizations VEHEMENTLY disagree with. (b) many "experts" give watered-down advice because they are afraid that their advice won't be popular with adoptive parents OR because, they claim, adoptive parents will not do what they really should and will feel guilty and ashamed. There is a parallel here, with medical professionals. That means that WE must accept responsibility for OURSELVES. Our doctors can proscribe for us, order and pre-analyze test results for us, and to a certain extent, provide some tools for US to manage OUR T2 Diabetes. Some are pretty terrific, some are so-so, and some are downright harmful. It is up to us to figure out which category any individual professional falls into. And whether or not to consider another T2 Diabetes traveller's way of managing his/her disease.
When I see someone disparaging another individuals opinion, method of managing their diabetes, exercising or working at weight reduction, managing stress, it really distresses me. Trivializing via one's use of language ("fad diet," etc..) is a way of disparaging another person's invitation to consider a different way. As the original author of this topic thread, my intent is and was to offer up suggestions to CONSIDER.
While I absolutely, 3000% uphold anyone's right to disagree with my opinions, or reply that that way has not worked for them and that they do x, y, z instead, I will NOT remain silent when others disparage me, or attempt to trivialize those ways that I have found to successfully manage my T2 Diabetes in ways that are designed to discourage others from considering them. It is a not-so-
subtle form of bullying in order to compete for leadership in a forum, and something that should be discouraged here. --- my opinion.
I prefer evidence-based research to guide me in deciding how to best manage my health, including how to manage my T2 Diabetes. While I certainly discuss this with my doctors, I do not blindly follow all of their advice. In many cases, my doctors have been willing to look at the research I base my decisions upon, and it changes the way that they give advice to other patients. If they are very stubborn and so disrespectful that they automatically dismiss my questions, concerns, evidence, then I RUN. One of my docs did not want to proscribe enough test strips per month for me to be able to eat to my meter. I calmly and respectfully SHOWED him why I was doing what I was doing and my results demonstrated that that WAS important for me. He and I disagreed, somewhat vehemently. He finally admitted that he was wrong and that his respect for me had expanded. So much so that he looked at LCHF and IF and approved wholeheartedly because he learned SO much more than he'd ever learned in medical school or from years of pharmaceutical reps coming in and pushing their products.
Jane