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Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution

Discussion in 'Type 1.5/LADA Diabetes' started by Lesleywo, Jun 14, 2017.

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  1. Lesleywo

    Lesleywo LADA · Well-Known Member

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    I am wondering why Dr Bernstein doesn't recognise LADA - I am a great admirer of his work and who better to teach us about diabetes than a doctor who has had it himself most of his life. But there are a couple of things he says that worry me a bit. Firstly, he doesn't seem to believe in LADA. He claims the majority of people diagnosed with LADA don't have it (I was listening to one of his university teleseminars) but he doesn't say what they actually do have (Type 1 or 2). He basically said it doesn't matter what kind of diabetes you have, the treatment is the same. However, I think most of us would disagree with this as the treatment for types 1 and 2 are different. I understand that the diet component would be the same for both but not the medication part. Unless he was referring to just the diet.

    Any thoughts on this?
     
    #1 Lesleywo, Jun 14, 2017 at 3:09 AM
  2. Lesleywo

    Lesleywo LADA · Well-Known Member

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    Yes I noticed he no longer recommends Mink Oil (for feet from memory). He now recommends coconut oil. Maybe I should send in the question about LADA!
     
    • Like Like x 1
    #2 Lesleywo, Jun 14, 2017 at 3:28 AM
  3. dbr10

    dbr10 Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Not sure about LADA, but he does recommend LC diets.
     
    #3 dbr10, Jun 14, 2017 at 8:52 AM
  4. Daibell

    Daibell LADA · Master

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    How can he say T1 and T2 are treated the same? T1 implies a lack of insulin production due to beta cell loss and T2 implies excess insulin production due to insulin resistance. For T1 it's insulin stimulating tablets or insulin and for T2s it's Metformin, certain injectables together with a low-carb diet to produce weight loss. Does this guy understand diabetes?
     
    #4 Daibell, Jun 14, 2017 at 9:39 PM
  5. douglas99

    douglas99 I reversed my Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Well, he at least seems to have the same approach as the NHS then.
    One size fits all.
     
    #5 douglas99, Jun 14, 2017 at 9:57 PM
  6. MikePea

    MikePea Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    If you are forced to take the cheap route then One Size Fits All.
     
    #6 MikePea, Jun 14, 2017 at 11:11 PM
  7. douglas99

    douglas99 I reversed my Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    He's not that cheap if you have to buy his book first.
     
    #7 douglas99, Jun 14, 2017 at 11:18 PM
  8. dbr10

    dbr10 Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Well, he should have died by the mid seventies, so I guess so. He's not talking about the same medication but the same low carb diet to treat both.
     
    #8 dbr10, Jun 15, 2017 at 8:49 AM
  9. Brunneria

    Brunneria Other · Moderator
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    From reading his book, he advocates a combination of diet, exercise and medication to all diabetics (details do, of course, vary for individuals) to maintain 'normal' blood glucose levels. His idea of 'normal' is lower than the NHS' idea of normal because he thinks that this will reduce/prevent the development of diabetic complications.

    He probably doesn't see that recognising LADA is necessary. His priority seems to be for each individual diabetic is receiving the appropriate treatment to maintain their blood glucose at a level to prevent complications and maintain good health, not labels.

    If you get a response from him, @Lesleywo I will be very interested to read it. :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    #9 Brunneria, Jun 15, 2017 at 9:19 AM
  10. librarising

    librarising LADA · Well-Known Member

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    From his book Dr Bernstein's Diabetes Solution :

    For Type II diabetes

    Level 1 : Diet
    Level 2 : Diet + exercise
    Level 3 : Diet + exercise + oral hypoglycemic agent
    Level 4 : Diet + exercise + oral hypoglycemic agent (possibly) + insulin injections

    For Type I diabetes

    Diet + exercise (questionable benefit) + insulin injections (MDI) + (rarely) oral hypoglycemic agents

    Geoff
     
    • Like Like x 1
    #10 librarising, Jun 15, 2017 at 9:24 AM
  11. dbr10

    dbr10 Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Yes, that explains his view very well.
     
    #11 dbr10, Jun 15, 2017 at 9:25 AM
  12. Kristin251

    Kristin251 LADA · Expert

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    I'm LADA but consider myself type 1 and the label is interchangeable to me.

    I also follow his dietary recommendations. But not exercise. Oops.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    #12 Kristin251, Jun 15, 2017 at 3:00 PM
  13. dbr10

    dbr10 Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    No, I'm having trouble following that too.
     
    #13 dbr10, Jun 15, 2017 at 3:53 PM
  14. ickihun

    ickihun Type 2 · Master

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    I have been treated with tablets only which is the only variation to type1 treatment. However if any type1 was given my huge amounts of insulin, they would be dead.
    Like any treatment it has to suit the individual patient.
     
    #14 ickihun, Jun 15, 2017 at 3:53 PM
  15. ickihun

    ickihun Type 2 · Master

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    In his book he details advice for type1s and then type2s but makes it clear the effects of uncontrolled diabetes needs treating the same.
    I'm thankful he takes the time to understand type2 when his personal experience was initially as a type1 only. By listening to his type2 diabetics he can help them too.

    I feel the same way.
    We all have the disease through different reasons but making the patient stay safe and healthy applies to all types.
     
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    • Agree Agree x 1
    #15 ickihun, Jun 15, 2017 at 4:00 PM
  16. Kristin251

    Kristin251 LADA · Expert

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    Are you agreeing with the dietary part and not the exercise?

    Many will disagree but exercise does nothing good for my bs anymore. Especially strenuous. I keep things very mild and low key now. A nice stroll in the morning and some mild yoga stretching later in the day. I think spiking my bs to stupid places and injecting insulin is counterintuitive to excersise and my health. And let's not forget the random hypos that follow at no consistant timing. I'm just not up for the challenge these days. I like as much peace with D as I can get
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    #16 Kristin251, Jun 15, 2017 at 4:05 PM
  17. dbr10

    dbr10 Type 2 · Well-Known Member

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    Don't blame you. I stick to the LC diet quite well and have good intentions with excercise; but they don't usually last long.
     
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    #17 dbr10, Jun 15, 2017 at 4:25 PM
  18. Fido78

    Fido78 LADA · Well-Known Member

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    I also listen to his monthly webinars. As I understand him he wants us to focus and treat our blood sugars rather than think about what kind of diabetes (type 1 / LADA)...treatment is very different between individuals, it all depends on how we approach our diabetes, food, exercise etc....
     
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    #18 Fido78, Jun 15, 2017 at 8:38 PM
  19. Lesleywo

    Lesleywo LADA · Well-Known Member

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    Absolutely he understands diabetes. As a doctor treating diabetics, he's been a type 1 diabetic most of his life and from personal experience and excellent glucose control advocates a low carb diet, keeping insulin requirements as low as possible.

    I can only assume he meant whether you are Type 1 or Type 2, the treatment, in terms of a low carb diet, is the same. Just not sure why he doesn't recognise LADA.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    #19 Lesleywo, Jun 16, 2017 at 6:47 AM
  20. Lesleywo

    Lesleywo LADA · Well-Known Member

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    His 'one size fits all' approach relates to diet, not medication. At the end of the day, all diabetics need good glucose control, whatever type. So in that sense, yes he has a one size fits all approach.
     
    #20 Lesleywo, Jun 16, 2017 at 6:50 AM
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