Just like bariatric surgery! Also he only uses diabetics who've had diabetes less than 10yrs.
I agree with you about the spread of trial patients for the first newcastle research being in the "newly" diagnosed bracket.
When I first read the research result I did challenge Prof Taylor to take old staggers like me. He wrote to me yesterday as part of an email conversation; "Yes indeed. You must be producing sufficient insulin. It is notable that you have had diabetes for 24 years, as the majority appear not to be able to reverse after around 10 years. With the enormous weight loss after bariatric surgery, some longer duration folk do reverse, so the feasibility is established."
I think I heard the key messages from his early research:
1. There is clear evidence that the inhibition of natural insulin production is caused when visceral fats gather in the liver and pancreas.
2. Prof Taylor's hypothesis was that by reducing these specific fats, the pancreas could be kickstarted into producing insulin again.
3. As I understood his dietary regime it was to persuade the body that it would never get sufficient carbohydrates again to convert to glucose and provide energy, thus persuading it to use stored fats.
I took this to extremes in my change in eating habits (carefully avoiding the imotive term "dieting") I cut out any trace of carbs from my food intake. Strictly no potatoe, no pasta, no breads, no rice. I did not follow his "replacement meal drinks"; I could not stand the taste! Instead I ate 3 sensible meals a day. I rarely felt hungry.
Once I adapted after the first few days I found I could eat delicious tasty food without having to worry overmuch about portion control, though given my circumstances, I am now eating far less than before my food type changed.
Like others, I kept scrupulous records from March 1st when it all began in earnest; I still keep the same level of detail, timing against food intake, blood glucose levels (5 or 6 times a day) {very helpful when you are trying to see the effect of different types of food on your body}, medications, blood pressure (at the same time every day). Weight, but only once a week, and a notes section to mark any notable issues/ milestones. (I did post this on this forum area when I first joined)
The impact on me;
Weight (loss as of today) 17st 3lbs down to 12st 4lbs
Latest Hba1c 40 this after 10 weeks of zero insulin, zero tablets.
No diabetic symptoms at all.
A GP who said last month, "if you presented today asking "am I diabetic", the answer would be "no"".
I make no claims of a "cure" ; neither do Newcastle who talk about patients in remission.
I took professor Taylor's hypothesis and tested it in the privacy of my own life. It worked for me, but you have to be determined; my wife and kids call me "stubourn ". Will it work for others; who knows?"
I do know that I had reached the stage in my life when I wanted to live a little longer, and that I felt the gung-ho approach of eating well and medicating appropriately was not sustainable and not conducive to longevity.
And my golly, I achieved my ambition of reducing my dependency on insulin; in doing so, I feel great, especially not carrying all that weight around, no loss of energy, indeed I can now walk more than a mile without stopping to catch my breath every 100 yards; NO medication; no not even statins or aspirin or blood pressure tablets.
if you are at the same point that I was and want to create change, then what have you got to lose? All the material you need is on the Newcastle Website (Google "diabetes" "Newcastle" "Taylor" and you'll find it at the top of the list. Dietary sheets, suggested menus, advice on changing your attitude of mind to eating and feeling hungry. Even technical notes for your GP and a separate one for your diabetic nurse/diatician.
Then there's a growing number of people, like me, who have worked through it and may be able to support and help.
So what's your excuse then?
Best wishes,
Peter.
