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Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetics?

A

AdamAdam

Active Member
Messages
25
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi,

Don't know whether you've read the Dr Bernstein Diabetes Solution (which I strongly recommend) but for those of us who have, do you believe that this is the only way forward for diabetics whilst we await for the cure? If it is, why isn't it applied? Interested in your thoughts>>>
 
Re: Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetic

There is so much about 'low carb' on the actual low carb forum. You will no doubt get more response on there from those, myself included, who follow a low carb diet. I follow Bernstein's regime, but less hard core than he suggests. There is much discussion as to why diabetics are given advice to follow a diet with plenty starch carbs at each meal.... Enjoy having a read

Type 1 since childhood.
Extreme low carb
Novo rapid and levemir


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Re: Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetic


My view is in my latest blog under 'Confused by bG target levels'. What are your thoughts about these?
 
Re: Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetic

I think it is the way forward. I got my HbA1c down from the 7s to 6.1% by low carbing. My opinion is if you can hit the 6.5% target (or thereabouts) with carbs, then carry on. If not, give low carbing a try.

From the National Diabetes Audit recently undertaken 94% of Type 1s weren't hitting the 6.5% target. I think the NHS needs to wake up and reconsider their negative views to low carbing.
 
Re: Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetic

Aside from pregnancy I low carb, it's worth the effort to see good readings!

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Re: Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetic

Adam
i think that the Bernstein approach IS the best thing. Especially where he writes that diabetics have a RIGHT to NORMAL blood sugars.
I've pretty much followed his guidance since 2003 and had HbA1s in the 5s ever since. I rarely even see a reading above 6.
I think the reason that his priciples are not followed in the Uk is that the healthcare professionals see it as too hard to do and they allow most patients to follow the easy way into complications and disability.
It certainly takes a measure of commitment.
To my mind things worth doing aresometimes hard, but I'm willing to do it.
Howeevrer I know diabetics who simply WON'T! My mother's neighbour opted to go on insulin so he could continue to live largely on white bread. He eats no vegetables at all!
I know plenty of other people who hold to what they havee bee4n told by NHS dieticians that they can eat anything. If they are given suggested portion sizes { I wasn't!}, they don't seem to hear that.
Hana
 
Re: Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetic

I think if you try low-carbing for more than a few weeks any Type 1 (or in fact any diabetic) will see the benefits. Once you do then it becomes very hard to listen to advice, well intended that it is, to treat your diabetes using any other approach.

Why isn't it the orthodoxy? It think it's because the current low fat dietary orthodoxy is deeply embedded in our culture; everyone 'knows' that fat is bad for you and everybody 'knows' that fat people are greedy and lazy to some extent. In my view neither of those statements in any way approaches the truth but as long as the orthodoxy is there that's what you've got.

I don't think that it is a coincidence that the obesity epidemic can be traced back to 1980 when the low fat mantra became the accepted view on diet and heart health.

Most doctors think that there is a clear scientifically proven link between saturated fat and heart disease. In addition a very common complication of diabetes is kidney disease and everyone 'knows' that protein is bad for the kidneys. So, if you can't eat fat and you can't eat protein what is left? Our friend carbohydrate.

But try this one on the next doctor who says that fat is bad for you; get them to name a single controlled study that links saturated fat to heart disease; not an observational study; a controlled study. There must be hundreds right? Because we all know how dangerous it is to eat saturated fat. They won't be able to answer that because there isn't one. Spooky eh? Not a single one.

Best

Dillinger
 
Re: Is the Dr Bernstein Program the way forward for diabetic


I'm not sure what the definition of low-carb is. My 'drop' to 250g per day is sufficient to control my bG and for me to lose weight, so one could argue that I am low-carbing. In that case, I can see the benefits. I have experienced Herbalife (similar to Newcastle Diet) way before I was diagnosed and understand that reducing weight and bG through low-carbing is a certainty. If I starved myself for a week I would have seen similar results, albeit more dramatic, but not have wasted money on chocolate bars and shakes.

On the subject of controlled studies, I would like to hear how the successful people from the Newcastle Diet early clinical trial,who were diabetes free after three months, are faring two years on. They seem to have gone a bit quiet as well. Can you tell me a bit more about Dr Bernstein's clinical trials as you sound as though you wouldn't follow advice without the existence of such.
 
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