Low Carb diet and type 2 diabetes

[denis_peach]

Hi,
I started on a low carb diet after reading David Cavan's book, in mid May 2017. At that time my HbA1c was 67 and I was 12 stone 10 lb approximately. In early September my weight was about 11 stone 5lb and my HbA1c was 48, after about three months on the diet. I am now 10 stone 13lbs, having lost a total of 25 lbs. I feel fine, I have had to buy several new pairs of trousers since my waist is down to 34-35 in from about 38 ins. I recently tried to fill in the survey about how I was doing but my medication in may was Sitaglyptin, which is not on the list, in May I was on 100mg once per day, my Doctor reduced this to 50mg in September. I am due for another test in early December. We shall then see what my HbA1c is. I hope to come off medication totally. I aim to get down to about 10 stone 10 lbs then try to keep below 11 stone permanently.
I would like to say I thought David Cavan's book excellent. Up to the point of me reading it I had not been advised to go on a low carb diet, but have a balanced diet. I had the feeling before I read the book that there was little hope and that I could expect a future of eventually injecting insulin. I have clearly been very pleased with my progress, and would urge others to take their life , health and diabetes in hand, as I hope I have been doing. Thanks. Denis Peach.

 

[Mbaker]

Well done Denis, as you have demonstrated it is possible to make life changing decisions. Your update may just be the spur for others.

 

[LittleGreyCat]

@daisy1 @daisy1 , give me your answer do.......

Tagged for newbie information.

 

[paulus1]

thats excellent progress. well done.how many thousands of case will it take for the medical world to listen.

 

[Jenniewren1958]

Great job well done

 

[endgame]

Keep up the good work, maybe Santa will bring you an early Christmas present, very well done.

 

[sidknee]

14kgs lost in 3 months. Nurse told me to loose a stone, I've done slightly better. Cut out almost ever starchy carb going and living on full fat yogurt, fried chicken, beef, bacon, pork, fish, Black Pudding, Fried eggs, a couple of lowest carb slices of bread! Not done much exercise, but what I have has stopped me getting breathless, I can walk up the hill to town and I'm not gasping for breath. Just want to get rid of my lobsided bely & I can then buy some trousers with a narrower waistband!

 

[daisy1]

@denis_peach

Hello Denis and welcome to the Forum Here is the Basic Information we give to new members and I hope you will find it useful. Ask questions when you need to and someone will help.


BASIC INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS

Diabetes is the general term to describe people who have blood that is sweeter than normal. A number of different types of diabetes exist.

A diagnosis of diabetes tends to be a big shock for most of us. It’s far from the end of the world though and on this forum you'll find well over 276,000 people who are demonstrating this.

On the forum we have found that with the number of new people being diagnosed with diabetes each day, sometimes the NHS is not being able to give all the advice it would perhaps like to deliver - particularly with regards to people with type 2 diabetes.

The role of carbohydrate

Carbohydrates are a factor in diabetes because they ultimately break down into sugar (glucose) within our blood. We then need enough insulin to either convert the blood sugar into energy for our body, or to store the blood sugar as body fat.

If the amount of carbohydrate we take in is more than our body’s own (or injected) insulin can cope with, then our blood sugar will rise.

The bad news

Research indicates that raised blood sugar levels over a period of years can lead to organ damage, commonly referred to as diabetic complications.

The good news

People on the forum here have shown that there is plenty of opportunity to keep blood sugar levels from going too high. It’s a daily task but it’s within our reach and it’s well worth the effort.

Controlling your carbs

The info below is primarily aimed at people with type 2 diabetes, however, it may also be of benefit for other types of diabetes as well.

There are two approaches to controlling your carbs:

• Reduce your carbohydrate intake
• Choose ‘better’ carbohydrates

Reduce your carbohydrates

A large number of people on this forum have chosen to reduce the amount of carbohydrates they eat as they have found this to be an effective way of improving (lowering) their blood sugar levels.

The carbohydrates which tend to have the most pronounced effect on blood sugar levels tend to be starchy carbohydrates such as rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and similar root vegetables, flour based products (pastry, cakes, biscuits, battered food etc) and certain fruits.

Choosing better carbohydrates

The low glycaemic index diet is often favoured by healthcare professionals but some people with diabetes find that low GI does not help their blood sugar enough and may wish to cut out these foods altogether.

Read more on carbohydrates and diabetes.

Over 145,000 people have taken part in the Low Carb Program - a 10 week structured education course that is helping people lose weight and reduce medication dependency by explaining the science behind carbs, insulin and GI.

Eating what works for you

Different people respond differently to different types of food. What works for one person may not work so well for another. The best way to see which foods are working for you is to test your blood sugar with a glucose meter.

To be able to see what effect a particular type of food or meal has on your blood sugar is to do a test before the meal and then test after the meal. A test 2 hours after the meal gives a good idea of how your body has reacted to the meal.

The blood sugar ranges recommended by NICE are as follows:

Blood glucose ranges for type 2 diabetes

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 8.5 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (adults)

• Before meals: 4 to 7 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 9 mmol/l

Blood glucose ranges for type 1 diabetes (children)

• Before meals: 4 to 8 mmol/l
• 2 hours after meals: under 10 mmol/l

However, those that are able to, may wish to keep blood sugar levels below the NICE after meal targets.

Access to blood glucose test strips

The NICE guidelines suggest that people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes should be offered:

• structured education to every person and/or their carer at and around the time of diagnosis, with annual reinforcement and review
• self-monitoring of plasma glucose to a person newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes only as an integral part of his or her self-management education

Therefore both structured education and self-monitoring of blood glucose should be offered to people with type 2 diabetes. Read more on getting access to blood glucose testing supplies.

You may also be interested to read questions to ask at a diabetic clinic.

Note: This post has been edited from Sue/Ken's post to include up to date information.

Take part in Diabetes.co.uk digital education programs and improve your understanding.

• Low Carb Program - it's made front-page news of the New Scientist and The Times. Developed with 20,000 people with type 2 diabetes; 96% of people who take part recommend it... find out why
• Hypo Program - improve your understanding of hypos. There's a version for people with diabetes, parents/guardians of children with type 1, children with type 1 diabetes, teachers and HCPs.