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Still high.

I am uncertain (that is, insufficiently informed) about the significance of the low-carb philosophy as it relates to T2 people not yet in remission as compared to T2 people who are. In my own case (diagnosed in Dec 2020 with HbA1c of 74) I put most of my effort into calorie-controlled weight reduction, believing that the top priority was to clear away the visceral fat, carbs or no carbs, although I did at the same time keep to moderate carbs to hedge my bets. My HbA1c now is 40 and I have been consuming 135g of carbs max every day for a good five months, with weight stable (and 15.4 kg less than in December). I daresay I could force my HbA1c lower still by reducing my carbs, but am not sure that it would bring major life benefits overall. I am leaning to the view that once the visceral fat has gone and a few months of declining insulin resistance and reawakening of pancreatic beta-cells have done their job, one is essentially operating much as a non-diabetic would, and able to tolerate carbs very adequately - BUT always subject to the overarching imperative of not putting back the visceral fat. I am not an expert, even in regard to my own case, but I do wonder whether the primary advice given here to the newly-diagnosed T2s should not be so much to chop down the carbs and become afraid of a piece of toast, but rather to get that fat cleared away, by whatever means, over a few months (no need to rush it).

Is this a reasonable line of thought? I am not adamant about any aspect of it, as I m on a learning curve myself, but I think that nearly all of us here could really do with some expert, scientifically solid clarification of these issues and strategies.
 
chrisjohnh said:
I am uncertain (that is, insufficiently informed) about the significance of the low-carb philosophy as it relates to T2 people not yet in remission as compared to T2 people who are. In my own case (diagnosed in Dec 2020 with HbA1c of 74) I put most of my effort into calorie-controlled weight reduction, believing that the top priority was to clear away the visceral fat, carbs or no carbs, although I did at the same time keep to moderate carbs to hedge my bets. My HbA1c now is 40 and I have been consuming 135g of carbs max every day for a good five months, with weight stable (and 15.4 kg less than in December). I daresay I could force my HbA1c lower still by reducing my carbs, but am not sure that it would bring major life benefits overall. I am leaning to the view that once the visceral fat has gone and a few months of declining insulin resistance and reawakening of pancreatic beta-cells have done their job, one is essentially operating much as a non-diabetic would, and able to tolerate carbs very adequately - BUT always subject to the overarching imperative of not putting back the visceral fat. I am not an expert, even in regard to my own case, but I do wonder whether the primary advice given here to the newly-diagnosed T2s should not be so much to chop down the carbs and become afraid of a piece of toast, but rather to get that fat cleared away, by whatever means, over a few months (no need to rush it).

Is this a reasonable line of thought? I am not adamant about any aspect of it, as I m on a learning curve myself, but I think that nearly all of us here could really do with some expert, scientifically solid clarification of these issues and strategies.
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I’m definitely not an expert and appreciate the call for expert scientifically solid clarification! The trouble seems to be there are so many conflicting opinions, even among scientists.

Based on the reading I’ve done (I’m happy to be convinced or educated otherwise though), the two camps are that losing visceral fat, around 15kg, can cause remission. The other camp is that it’s the reduction in carbs that losing that weight involved has caused the remission not the weight loss.

Personally I think the truth probably lies somewhere inbetween. Just the existence of t2s who are have a healthy bmi/ waist to hip ratio means there is something else going on other than weight? Most likely insulin resistance which will be different for everybody. The more insulin resistant you are the more insulin your body is actually producing which then prompts the excess glucose to be stored as fat and makes it much harder to lose weight. Which is why so many people “eat to their meter”. As in work out which and how many carbs your body can handle by not rising more than 2, 2 hours after eating. The idea being that then you’re not producing excess insulin which would make it harder to lose weight.

It’s an emotive issue for everyone when they’re trying an approach and so many threads here seems to descend into the same argument, sometimes not pleasantly. Different approaches will work for different people. I’m so glad you found something that has worked for you and the success you’ve had.

Back to the original poster, sorry I went too off topic mods, I’d be testing before and after looking for no more than 2 rise so it could well be that they could eat bread!
 
Very many thanks for your thoughtful reply which neatly captures my own puzzle as to whether my reduction was owed to that 15kg loss or to the carbs discipline. It would have been useful to know, as I might then not have needed to become so very skinny. I too rather strayed from the poster's thread (likewise sorry, mods!) and I agree that the poster can learn a lot from well-targeted post-prandial testing, which has certainly given me much-needed confidence when eating certain food-types. Thank heavens for these little meters ...
 
chrisjohnh said:
Very many thanks for your thoughtful reply which neatly captures my own puzzle as to whether my reduction was owed to that 15kg loss or to the carbs discipline. It would have been useful to know, as I might then not have needed to become so very skinny. I too rather strayed from the poster's thread (likewise sorry, mods!) and I agree that the poster can learn a lot from well-targeted post-prandial testing, which has certainly given me much-needed confidence when eating certain food-types. Thank heavens for these little meters ...
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I aspire to your very skinny chrisjohn! Thank goodness indeed... ❤️
 
SuNuman, the main thing that helped me over these last six weeks, and didn't before, is the fact that I spent an evening going through all the facts about what exactly AC readings are. I never understood beforehand, so it all went over my head. Now I see in my head a picture of my blood cells being 'attacked' by sugar, which clings onto them. The higher the BG reading after testing the more nasty sugar warriors are clinging to them and damaging my body. They are everywhere! This is what fired me up to win the battle and restore my poor health. Without my meter I'd not see the enemy taking over and silently winning the war. Carbs are their weapons, and so I prevent them from getting them. It sounds silly written down but this is how I have coped x
 
chrisjohnh said:
as I might then not have needed to become so very skinny
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Personally I'd prefer to go skinny at first as that gives leeway to go up a little as you start to relax the number of carbs a bit. It can be tricky to find a balance that works for life, and fits with one's everyday life
 
Thank you, yes I have appreciated having that bit of leeway, despite looking like a stick insect! Your remark about the search for one's appropriate balance is spot on for me.
 
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