This is an extensively rewritten version of Dr Cavan's 2014 book "Reverse your diabetes - the step by step plan to take control of type 2 diabetes". I don't mean to imply it's just been updated - it has, in most places, but there are several significant alterations. The original book was written when "low-carb" was being widely described a a "fad diet" and without the benefit of the considerable body of research that's been accumulated on restricted carbohydrate diets since then. That at least has thankfully changed.
In particular, the book now identifies and demolishes seven "myths" about Type 2 - including "You have diabetes because you're lazy and eat too much", "You need to exercise to lose weight" and "Cheese is full of saturated fat and you shouldn't eat it". Slightly confusingly, the "Busting the Myths" section has chapter titles such as "Diabetes is not your fault" which at first glance make it appear that the "not your fault" bit is the myth, and almost made me put the book back on the shelf.
Of course the main myth is that Type 2 is a progressive disease which cannot be corrected, only managed through increasing amounts of medication. While Dr C addresses this, he is a bit light on any explicit analysis of why that remains the official health service line and why millions of people are still being given dietary advice that is positively harmful. It doesn't affect the advice he gives for people with T2, but it does leave a bit of a question about the problem faced by many newly diagnosed people - why am I being advised by the health service to eat carbohydrate? You get the feeling he's decided not to confront that particular issue.
Having said that, the book would I think be incredibly helpful to anyone newly diagnosed or wanting to find out more about the best way to understand raised blood glucose and T2. I don't think I learned anything new, but there it is, all in one place. It's the sort of thing that I would have found immensely useful myself in 2019, and I'd certainly be giving a copy to anyone recently diagnosed.
After the myth-busting, there's sound advice on taking steps toward a new way of eating and a few recipes to get you started. The list of sources and recommended websites includes this Forum (we get a number of endorsements throughout the book) and the introduction is by Dr David Unwin.
David Cavan is a consultant endocrinologist based at the London Diabetes Centre and at University Hospitals Dorset. His website is www.thediabetesdoctor.co.uk.
(NB he has a more recently published book called "Managing Diabetes - a guide to reducing symptoms and improving your health". Not to be confused with this one.)
In particular, the book now identifies and demolishes seven "myths" about Type 2 - including "You have diabetes because you're lazy and eat too much", "You need to exercise to lose weight" and "Cheese is full of saturated fat and you shouldn't eat it". Slightly confusingly, the "Busting the Myths" section has chapter titles such as "Diabetes is not your fault" which at first glance make it appear that the "not your fault" bit is the myth, and almost made me put the book back on the shelf.
Of course the main myth is that Type 2 is a progressive disease which cannot be corrected, only managed through increasing amounts of medication. While Dr C addresses this, he is a bit light on any explicit analysis of why that remains the official health service line and why millions of people are still being given dietary advice that is positively harmful. It doesn't affect the advice he gives for people with T2, but it does leave a bit of a question about the problem faced by many newly diagnosed people - why am I being advised by the health service to eat carbohydrate? You get the feeling he's decided not to confront that particular issue.
Having said that, the book would I think be incredibly helpful to anyone newly diagnosed or wanting to find out more about the best way to understand raised blood glucose and T2. I don't think I learned anything new, but there it is, all in one place. It's the sort of thing that I would have found immensely useful myself in 2019, and I'd certainly be giving a copy to anyone recently diagnosed.
After the myth-busting, there's sound advice on taking steps toward a new way of eating and a few recipes to get you started. The list of sources and recommended websites includes this Forum (we get a number of endorsements throughout the book) and the introduction is by Dr David Unwin.
David Cavan is a consultant endocrinologist based at the London Diabetes Centre and at University Hospitals Dorset. His website is www.thediabetesdoctor.co.uk.
(NB he has a more recently published book called "Managing Diabetes - a guide to reducing symptoms and improving your health". Not to be confused with this one.)
