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.
Shalom to all...press forward, and please give me all your ideas.......I do need them... =)
The American Diabetes Association guidelines are a dinosaur. Merely keeping one's BG level as low as possible leads to a slow slide into worsening health-- more meds over time, higher and higher doses, eventually having to inject insulin, and the looming possibility of the loss of vision, feeling in hands and feet, amputation, cancer, heart disease. With only a small percentage of people being able to keep their a1c from going up via having tight control. The majority of people DO have the disease worsen sooner, rather than later, when they do this.
Recent NIH studies demonstrated that people can and do lose weight with various types of diets, but that most regain the weight they lose, PLUS add more. That a ketogenic diet, however, is possible TO sustain, weight loss is sustained, people can keep their weight stable by adding more protein, and that people do not feel deprived because the recipes are delicious because the healthy fat in them is delicious and healthful.
IF is not something new, nor is it a fad, nor is it dangerous, nor is it dangerous for those with Type 2 D. One does not have to run this by their doctor, unless taking insulin, in which case medical supervision is indicated because it will necessitate a lowering of one's insulin dosage so as to not end up with a hypo. People have been fasting since the beginning of Time. In fact, it is really only in recent human history that food has been available 24-7! The human body HAD to withstand famine/no food available, especially during the Winter when food was scarce.
Many religions have regular periods of fasting. People adhere to that, and many of them have T2D. They and their doctors do not consider this "dangerous," and find it manageable. Normal.
Some people who express resistance to the idea of IF say that they get shaky or weak when they do not eat, when they skip breakfast, etc... That is because their body is not keto-adapted. It is those who have shed grains entirely from their diet, have shed root veggies and fruit (except for a bit of apple/pear/berries/cherries), and eat plenty of healthy fat (avocado, fatty fish, 100% grass fed beef, butter, full-fat heavy cream and yogurt, coconut oil, nuts), they do not get such symptoms and they are NOT hungry. They do not overeat after sustaining a 18- or 24-hour fast.
This dietary plan works well for those struggling with obesity. Many of the individuals with that condition have a very tough time with portion control and exercising. They cannot and do not get their T2D under tight control. Many of them feel shame and guilt, as though it is their "fault" that they were diagnosed with T2D. They can and DO lose weight, get their BG under control, and can and do reduce the dose of their diabetes medication. QUICKLY.
The cells of our body, including those in the brain, need nutrients for energy. That can come from fat, rather than from carbohydrates which break down in the body to be glucose. Burning fat instead of triggering too much insulin in an attempt to open the cell walls so that glucose can get into the cells bypasses the problem we have, as people with T2 Diabetes. We lose weight. (for those who do not need to lose weight, adding protein is necessary). Individuals burn fat, and maintain lean muscle mass when they eat this way. Losing the weight makes it possible for people TO exercise (something that is very important to do, regardless of the fact that one has T2D), and empowers them because they have lots of energy instead of lethargy.
Since each of us has a meter and can test, test, test, we are not endangered by trying LCHF and Intermittent Fasting. IF someone were headed for a hypo, they can easily and readily correct that, although eating something with a smaller amount of carbs, rather than candy, and testing to monitor the effect-- is, of course, important. And by the way, numbers in the mid-70's are NOT indicative of a hypo! For some of us who are adhering to LCHF and IF, those numbers are now NORMAL and USUAL.
We do not NEED grains. The so-called "healthy: grains are merely less-healthful than processed grains that have had the fiber stripped from them and then have had certain nutrients added-- have been processed. We need the macronutrients- protein, healthy fat, limited carbs (nearly everything we eat, except fat, contain carbs). We certainly do NOT need 40 to 60 grams of carbohydrate per meal + so-called "healthy" snacks!! (a GUARANTEE that the T2 Diabetes WILL BE progressive!).
Yes, mzizgayle, there are some naysayers on the LCHF forums, and a few (VERY VERY VERY few) who raise concerns or are naysayers who add comments after Dr. Jason Fung's Intensive Dietary Management blog entries. However, they cannot and do not report substantial gains in insulin sensitivity or consistent decrease in their BG levels or decreases or elimination of their diabetes medications. The overwhelming majority of people who engage in LCHF and IF-- they DO.
Portion control and limiting SOME grains, while eating so-called "healthy" grains in moderation, and exercising quite a lot-- DOES help folks lower their BG. A lucky few can get their weight down to the point where they can and do eliminate the need for diabetes meds. Most of those, however, eventually have to take meds again, and see their numbers gradually climb. The majority do not even have THOSE results. They work hard to adhere to the ADA guidelines, or eat even less carbs, and they exercise, but they complain because that is not enough to keep the T2D from progressing.
That is not the case with those who have turned to LCHF and IF. Their efforts have a big payoff, and quickly. They feel terrific-- full of energy and clear-headed. They see not only the BG levels decrease, but the cholesterol and fatty liver and abdominal fat and blood pressure decrease, as well. They exercise, but not with the false-hope that exercise is going to produce a major decrease in weight.
This topic is NOT going to be put to rest. Its too important a topic TO be put to rest. The longer LCHF and IF is around, the more people try it out, do well, and want, of course, for their fellow travelers on the T2Diabetes road to have a chance to learn about it, and consider it. I/they are not going to be drummed out of a forum, or be silenced.
IF they old way-- portion control, eating 40-60 grams of carbs per meal, eating so-called "healthy" grains, adhering to the ADA guidelines, trusting every word the doctors utter-- to the letter-- works so well, then WHY do we have an epidemic of obese and diabetic adults, and an increasing number of obese children??
Sorry, but this ISN'T merely a case of: this method (MY method of portion control, lots of exercise, eat healthy grains-- which has regularly been upheld in this forum by a few who see themselves as super-leaders) is one way that works for YOU (janebrown), but really is a fad/too-hard, wacky,not-sustainable-over-time, not-really-healthy. The SCIENCE (credible current research) and practice (Dr. Fung and Dr. Richard Bernstein who IS often referred to in this forum present together at worldwide conferences, AND speak respectfully of each other's results with patients).
LCHF + IF is not going to be relegated to the category of wacky-wonky-fad that ONE person here claims is a possible method, while WE (the truly knowledgeable, esteemed leaders) know better. With lots of insinuations that it is dangerous, risky, not able to be sustained over time, unsubstantiated by research (the research is all over the NIH- National Institute of Health), or works for her (wink-wink, folks!).
I don't want or need to win a popularity contest, or to become a super-leader, or compete in an online forum. I want people to have a chance to recognize that their doctors (including their endo doctors), and dieticians do NOT know to tell them that the ADA guidelines are not so terrific, or that the meds the drug reps tell them are good for their patients, have NOT been educated with the latest research and really are not up-to-speed. We, as T2 Diabetes suffers have to blaze our own trail and not count on our doctors or RD's to guide us. In fact, the organizations for dieticians have become SO aggressive that they tried to lobby to get laws passed in EVERY STATE that would disallow anyone (doctors, nurses, truth-telling dieticians, common citizens) who has the gall to stand up to them and expose the lies that result in progressive T2 Diabetes from being able to reveal to others what they ARE doing, or what they DO advise their patients to do. They tried, for example, to silence doctors and everyone else who were proponents of the Paleo Diet (one form of a ketogenic diet). Why-- because it would put them out of business. Cause them a loss of $$$. It is NOT because they care about US! They are willing to sell lies that keep us sick and make us sickER-- so that they can earn more $$$ on the backs of our suffering. That, to me, is disgusting.
About as disgusting as the fact that the ADA operated on funding from major corporations-- mostly the huge pharmaceutical companies with a vested interest in making sure that we take LOTS of expensive drugs and the food industries (who push processed food, wheat, junk food, sugar-y drinks and a few drinks with sugar substitutes, dairy).
By the way, this is not the arena where I have any expertise-- since someone asked whether I have more expert knowledge than, say, their extended family members. There ARE scientists and doctors (Dr. Fung, Dr. Bernstein) who DO have that expertise. More expertise than me, than your family members, than most doctors/endos/registered dieticians, and those of us participating in this forum. They DO draw their methods from credible, current research-- from Science. They are getting GREAT results with their patients. Others, here, deserve to have the opportunity to go and take a look, and consider whether or not they might try out this lifestyle because it might very well help them. And WITHOUT others, here, trying to dissuade them because it is not THEIR way of doing things.
This forum is and should remain a place where people can come and get information that may help them. Trying to silence a member who is offering suggestions FOR CONSIDERATION, or attempting to undercut her/his credibility is NOT very nice, at best, and downright disrespectful and engaging in a power struggle, at worst. If LCHF + IF can help even ONE person participating in the forum, I am all-in, in supporting further discussion of it here.