I eat 120 carbs (high fiber, fruit, veggies, beans) a day or more for 34 years, I run and lift weights, have minimal complications and A1c’s of 5.8-6.5. We’re all different but I seem to be able to handle them just fine. If you get better control by cutting out all your carbs then go for it but the fact remains your brain cells need two times more energy than the other cells in your body and I believe my brain needs those carbs! Also, my happy state needs those carbs. I have enough to worry about and if having a slice of hot, home made, whole grain bread with breakfast makes me happy, then I’m goin for it!
As far as the “cure” goes, I agree with another post, don’t keep winning about it here where everyone agrees with you, write to the offending newspaper, TV station or personality or better yet, the ADA or join an advocacy group to get the message out. I believe Cristalyn has started something, check it out.
Also most Type 2’s would not have the money and resources to do what he has done. Plus if it improves his image those things that are not medically deductable he can deduct as business expenses
And what makes you think we don’t do that, just because we like to share our frustrations here? Let’s not go around judging people and calling them whiners because they’re not afraid to express their frustrations, and want someone to commiserate with them… That is NOT nice, and actually… is a lot more like whining, than what we’re doing, honestly.
Rebuttal is a good idea, if it hasn’t already happened by now. Then again, anyone who believes what people in “the business” say without backup from people in real medicine – well, you know they must also be buying and believing what’s printed in The Weekly World News. As long as people who are actually suffering from diabetes know what’s going on, are not in denial, and are involved in educating non-diabetics about the real deal, I wouldn’t worry much about what people like Drew Carey and Halle Berry (hey, that rhymes! coincidence, or…) say.
I agree. A cure means a return to normal. A lot of people thought insulin was the cure for diabetes. It is a treatment that keeps us alive, but it is not a cure. Same for the changes that DC made in his life.
I am a believer in reversing the Type 2 condition through proper balanced nutrition, exercise, and maybe even some natural supplements. I did it and wrote a ebook on the steps I took to defeat the "beast’ called diabetes.
There was no way I was going to let diabetes define who I am, let alone have to take diabetes medication at this time in my life. I know I am different, as is everyone else. So not everything is going to work or be workable for everyone. BUT, you don’t know if you don’t take action and try!
So, maybe we should reserve judgement on others, because maybe it did work for them, will continue to work for them, and they are healthier and happier for it. Everyone should be so lucky. Help each other overcome this disease and celebrate when someone even somewhat succeeds.
A “reversal” of Diabetic symptoms and complications is NOT a cure. This is not judgement on what people have done, or not done… It is judgement on claiming it is a cure. It is not a cure, and we should not lead others onto believing that it is a cure.
I think it just comes down to semantics at this point:
“One of the myths spread about the low carb diet is that your brain needs carbohydrates to function well. Actually your brain needs just a small amount of GLUCOSE - which is provided by protein quite easily.”
Without pointing fingers or meaning any amount of disrespect, I’d just like to clarify that glucose is a carbohydrate. All polysaccharides like starch and monosaccharides like glucose and fructose are classified as carbohydrates based on their carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen content.
Does your brain need complex carbohydrates in the form of polysaccharides like starch? Absolutely not. Do you need to eat french fries and Doritos to feed your brain? Absolutely not.
Does your brain need simple carbohydrates in the form of the monosaccaharide glucose? Apparently so. How does it get what it needs is the question.
Like Gerri says, I’ve seen the number for the amount of dietary protein converted to glucose as high as 60%. I believe Dr Bernstein says it’s closer to 34%, from the YouTube clips anyway. I imagine the number falls somewhere in between depending upon how much carbs you actually eat and use daily.
Eating well, and cutting out carbs… buying healthy food is extremely expensive. Not everyone can do that, very easily… particularly those struggling with the economy. It is much, much cheaper to buy a 99 cent burger at some burger joint than to buy $3 to $4 a lb of lean meat. Chips and soda cost waaaaay less than a lb of broccoli, or apples. It is not, unfortunately, a lame excuse. It is no surprise that the less wealthy a person is, the more overweight they tend to be. Eating habits have been proven to be more directly correlated to income… Not level of good intention. Look up the documentary “Food, Inc.” for more info on that.
Sorry you misunderstood. I am all for “whining, complaining, screaming, swearing” or whatever other word you want to use to vent and release. I have no problem with that, I whine all the time. My POINT was all the “whining” (complaining, ranting, screaming or what ever other word you would like to use) on this site will do no good because we all understand and “know”. Unless it is broadcast or brought to the attention of the world,the masses will never learn. Writing to the news organization like you did is what is needed to make this change.
It’s really the luck of the genetics. Some people probably could control their BG by diet and exercise. If the weight was the sole contributing factor to the elevated blood sugars. But for most others, it’s not quite that simple. Insulin resistance is insulin resistance and if that’s your problem, your diet will help but you may need something to give it a little push. There’s no cure for this disease and although he may not be having symptoms now because of his healthier habits, it doesn’t necessarily follow that in later years he will be able to avoid having to undergo some form of therapy. I don’t know if that’s being negative – it’s being realistic. He could also be experiencing a “honeymoon” period with the new weight. There are too many things about T2 that can happen to ever say you are “cured.” There are skinny T2s out there. Acceptance of the reality is not negative, it’s healthy.
It’s kind of surprising how many medical professionals know nothing about current treatments. I had to go to the ER to get the abscess on my arm treated. I pulled off my shirt and they saw me all hooked up. I had to explain to them what each thing was and how it worked and gave them a tour of the PDM. The CGM seemed like it was also a revelation to them.
I know someone who’s a nurse. She asked how often I tested. When I told her, she replied that I was “brittle” because only brittle diabetcs needed to test frequently.
I have to disagree Lizmari. Income often means less education which equals ignorance when it comes to healthy lifestyle choices. I know it is much cheaper to eat healthy, I can do it at poverty levels really well but only because I know what to do. Knowledge and discipline seem to be most people’s problem.
Also, my happy state needs those carbs. I have enough to worry about and if having a slice of hot, home made, whole grain bread with breakfast makes me happy, then I’m goin for it!