Hi Arlene
Welcome to the forum.
I am not familiar with the particular authors or their books so can not comment on them. I will make a note to obtain copies and read through them soon.
I am sure that we would all love it if diabetes could be reveresed.
Hoever, current medical thinking is that diabetes can not be reversed and that is in fact a degenerative disease that inevitably causes the patients' condition to progressively deteriorate until finally he or she suffers the dreaded long term diabetic complications of cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, blindness, gangrene etc. All very depressing staff. :cry:
The increased risk of diabetics developing these extreemly unpleasant conditions is unfortunately a reality. All is not doom and gloom however.
Evidence shows that with better glycaemic control this risk is significantly reduced; by as much as 35-40% for each percentage point reduction in HbA1C score.
Also it is importand to realise that many of the adverse statistics quoted regarding diabetics and long term complications, reflect the "average" diabetic and, again unfortunately, the latest statistical evidence, indicates that the average diabetic in the UK is not very good at his glyceamic control; only about 50% of UK diabetics achieve the current HbA1c guideline score of at least 7.5%. There is no reason why you or any other diabetic, should not be significantly better than average, a lot of the people on this site certainly are.
In fact, a lot of the people on the site are aiming for significantly lower HbA1c scores than the 7.5% guideline aiming for scores much closer to the non diabetic 5%. We hope that at this level diabetes stops getting progressively worse and the increased risk of long term complications is eliminated.
I believe that as a newly diagnosed diabetic, rather than trying to reverse your condition and running the risk of being disappointed and giving up, if, as predicted by current medical thinking, you do not succed, you should adopt a more stepped approach:
First concentrate on achieving control of your blood glucose to within current gudeline levels. According to the latest UK guidelines, T2 diabetics should aim for a maximum HbA1C score of 7.5% and blood glucose levels between 4 - 7 mmol/l. for any reading taken first thing in the morning before any food is taken (fasting blood glucose level), and blood glucose levels of no more than 8.5 mmol/l for any reading taken two hours after any meal.
Then, if you wish try to aim for non diabetic scores: a maximum HbA1C score of 5% and blood glucose levels between 4 - 7 mmol/l. for any reading taken first thing in the morning before any food is taken (fasting blood glucose level), and blood glucose levels of no more than 6 mmol/l for any reading taken two hours after any meal.
Then you can try experimenting further to reverse the diabetes.
So what should you do to achieve the guideline scores?
You need to adopt lifestyle changes that will assist you in the long term to gain control over your diabetes i.e. you need new healthy habits that you can maintain for life if necessary.
What you eat,how much you eat and how often you eat will have a direct bearing over your blood glucose levels. In particular the quantity and type of carbohydrates you eat will be particularly relevant. Carbohydrates are divided into sugars and starches such as rice, pasta, potatoes, and cereals. Both types of carbs are converted into glucose when consumed. You should try to avoid sugars (only have sugar as a rear treat not as a regular indulgunce) and limit your intake of starches to quantities that will keep your blood glucose levels within the above limits.
In order to limit your carbs effectively you will need to learn how to count them and you will also need to start self monitoring your blood glucose level and keep a food diary. By testing before and two hours after a meal you will be able to educate yourself on what foods you should avoid or restrict in order to keep your glucose under control.
You should increase your level of physical activity. Walking is very good in this respect and you should aim for about half an hour per day.
If overweight, you should aim to lose weight. Fat is much more insuline resistant than muscle so reducing weight and increasing body muscle has a beneficial effect on glyceamic control.
You should also try to avoid highly stressful situations as stress also causes glucose levels to rise.
With regards to drink, this should not be taken in excess as alcohol lowers blood glucose and in excess could cause hypocglycaemia. I believe that a couple of glasses of red wine per day, especially if taken with food, is meant to be an antioxidant and good for you.
I hope you do not find my reply too dispiriting. I would love for you to prove me wrong and reverse your condition.
Once again welcome to the forum .
Pavlos
