Chris
11-23-2006, 10:57 AM
Last February I had major abdominal surgery (that's when I got my "semi-colon," remember Cleo?). When I came home from the hospital I weighed 147 pounds, just 12 pounds from goal (down from 218). Unfortunately, I used the recuperation period, as well as some other life stressors, as an excuse to fall off the wagon. By September I had actually put back on nearly 50 pounds! (Sounds improbable, but it did happen.)
Anyway, just before I decided to get back in that wagon seat I discovered that I was diabetic. Many things that I've read would classify me as "pre-diabetic." However, some experts, such as Dr Richard Bernstein, don't recognize that term, and say that you either are, or aren't.
Which brings me to the point. I've just finished reading that good Doctor's book, The Diabetes Solution, which is a wonderful tome. He is totally at odds with the American Diabetes Association and their recommended diet of 65% carbohydrates. He demonstrates, quite clearly, why the only way to properly control blood sugar is through a very low-carb diet. The diet he recommends is basically the lower rungs of the OWL phase of Atkiins! (He should know, he's now lived longer than any known Type I diabetic, and has NO diabetes related diseases.)
Some other interesting things I learned from the book is that 80% of all Type II diabetics are obese; and, it may be that the remaining 20% are not true Type II, but are actually Type I, but whose pancreases do produce some insulin (rather than being insulin resistant as with a normal Type II).
Also, he says that ALL obese folks are insulin resistant, and, consequently, they produce two to three times as much insulin as a normal sized person. Of course, insulin is the fat storing hormone, so they just get bigger and bigger, unless they alter their diet. Eventually, the pancreas begins to "burn out" and they then can't produce enough insulin to overcome their resistance, and become Type II diabetic.
Anyway, I do find all this quite interesting, and I'm encouraged to learn that someone who's just over the line, as I am, has the possibility of completely reversing the disease. I think a diabetes forum would be a great place to discuss these issues with others who might be in the same boat.
Anyway, just before I decided to get back in that wagon seat I discovered that I was diabetic. Many things that I've read would classify me as "pre-diabetic." However, some experts, such as Dr Richard Bernstein, don't recognize that term, and say that you either are, or aren't.
Which brings me to the point. I've just finished reading that good Doctor's book, The Diabetes Solution, which is a wonderful tome. He is totally at odds with the American Diabetes Association and their recommended diet of 65% carbohydrates. He demonstrates, quite clearly, why the only way to properly control blood sugar is through a very low-carb diet. The diet he recommends is basically the lower rungs of the OWL phase of Atkiins! (He should know, he's now lived longer than any known Type I diabetic, and has NO diabetes related diseases.)
Some other interesting things I learned from the book is that 80% of all Type II diabetics are obese; and, it may be that the remaining 20% are not true Type II, but are actually Type I, but whose pancreases do produce some insulin (rather than being insulin resistant as with a normal Type II).
Also, he says that ALL obese folks are insulin resistant, and, consequently, they produce two to three times as much insulin as a normal sized person. Of course, insulin is the fat storing hormone, so they just get bigger and bigger, unless they alter their diet. Eventually, the pancreas begins to "burn out" and they then can't produce enough insulin to overcome their resistance, and become Type II diabetic.
Anyway, I do find all this quite interesting, and I'm encouraged to learn that someone who's just over the line, as I am, has the possibility of completely reversing the disease. I think a diabetes forum would be a great place to discuss these issues with others who might be in the same boat.