Hana, with respect I don't think I understand what point you are trying to make.
Of course we have "similar" responses, but "similar" doesn't mean "same"; it means "almost but not quite" which is another way of saying "different". I know for a fact that I respond VERY differently to some foods (and some medications) than others do. That is true of many people -- these forums are filled with examples.
And in any case, the science regarding which foods are "good" and which are "bad" keeps changing, which means that we are continually discovering new information about what we thought we already knew. So it's dangerous to make flat categorical statements. They may turn out not to be true, tomorrow.
CaryJ, I did a quick search for T1 and heart attack danger with a low A1C, but couldn't find any references. An often quoted study concerning the dangers of low A1C and heart attacks is the ACCORD study. This study concerned T2's with poor control who took a drug which causes increased risk of heart attacks. Wonder of wonders they had more heart attacks. This study, now discredited, has been widely misinterpreted to indicate there is a danger in tight control. Unfortunately, this study is still cited by many health care professionals. Here is a discussion that goes into more detail about the reinterpretation of the ACCORD study.
Tight control in a T1 does run the risk of more lows, although Dr. B's program does minimize this.
Many of us, especially in this group, have a rather dim view of the ADA and the advice they dispense. I think it's safe to say that the closer to normal you can keep your blood sugars the less chance of complications.
Cary J... no one can know for sure because we are all different with different backgrounds etc., and there is so much info out there to support various theories. My opinion is the best thing we can do for ourselves is to have normal blood sugars... why would lower blood sugars cause more cvd for diabetics? That doesn't make sense to me at all. No one would tell someone who doesn't have D to elevate their bg to avoid cvd, so I'm going to try to keep mine in as normal a range as I can. There is a lot of information on how higher bg causes, eye, nerve and kidney damage which is very believable from what I have read and experienced myself. I already had changes in my vision from high bg before my diagnosis and now blurry vision after lowering bg with treatment which is slowly getting better. I don't seem to have any permanent damage fortunately.
David similar according to my dictionary, means showing resemblance. Of course no 2 people are identical [not even monozygotic twins], but we all show resemblances and patterns which are alike. I often read someone's writing, saying "we are all different" as a justification for not trying something demanding. In our responses to diet and medication, we are sufficiently alike to make it worthwhile for anyone to try something that has worked for others. If it works for one it's likely to work for all. Albeit with differences of degree of success.
In general, the closer people stick to Dr. Bernstein's guidelines, the more success they have with their BG control.
Saying we are all different, just muddies the waters. We're not that different.
Hana
Cary-J the idea that too tight control can be dangerous is a bit of a red herring
The research which seems to show this used some very flawed techniques, including multiple medication therapies,[polypharma!] which could themselves have contributed to deaths. No-one has ever investigated tight control by controlling carbohydrate intake.
Since all medications have side-effects, it follows that using multiple medications in large doses, causes more side effects.These may be dangerous.
An HbA1c below 7% cannot in and of itself be a risk. If it were, all non-diabetics with HbA1cs in the 4s and 5s would be at risk and they patently aren't.
Hana
There's a lot orf very bad science out there and an eager press just looking for dramatic headlines full of doom and gloom.
David, I am please to learn by your example, that I am on the right track. I am keeping my numbers in the 90's to below 110. I am off of Metformin and the ailments I had with poor bladder control, constipation, and devasting fatigue, have gone away. I feel better every day I am away from it (45 days and counting). I am focusing more on portion control now and hope to see numbers such as yours in the future. Thanks for the encouraging news.
Whoopee! 8 months after dx, A1C 5.4. Cholestrol 155 Triglycerides 130. Weight -37 lbs. No Diabetes drugs since August 2nd. Strictly following Dr B.'s diet guidelines. It works.
Interesting visit w Dr.. He wants to drop diabetes dx. I had to tell HIM that I am managing my D not curing it. Gave him copy of Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Diet Book. Said he would read it. Could not disagree with my results.
Can someone persuade Dr Bernstein to provide a photo of his face to add as the "image" for the group. I suggest he offer the one that is used in his books on the cover as that is one that most people will recognize. What do others think?
Maybe he might object as he might say he is not contributing to the site, but we could say that we are discussing what is in his books and have valued his effort in educating us, so having his picture would add more personality to the group, his personality.
I haven't read the latest edition, but I do read and reread the copy I have. It's the Diabetics Bible. I am always learning useful things. i recently started taking Metformin ER at night and Insulow and Evening Priomrose Oil with meals.
Since the publication of the previous edition . . . many new developments have occurred in the field of diabetes research, and as each significant one has come along, I have further refined my techniques for normalizing blood sugars. This newly revised and updated edition discusses new medications, new insulins, new dietary supplements, new hardware (tools for the diabetic), and other new products. It also explores new methods that I have developed for more elegantly controlling blood sugars.
Exciting new approaches to weight loss will be found here, including the use of new, injectable medications (insulin mimetics) that are wonderfully effective for alleviating carbohydrate craving and overeating.
In comparing the two additions I found the new one had substantially more pages (can't remember exactly how many). So there is undoubtedly lots of new information in the new addition.
