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Mastering Diabetes by Cyrus Khambatta and Robby Barbaro


Sure thing. I was just referring to the graph which we have all seen a hundred times but doesn’t really mean anything. Aside from the obvious problem of 7.5% A1c being very firmly diabetic, the graphic compares plant based with SAD, and since SAD is the primary driver of metabolic meltdown in the first place, it’s a bit of a hollow victory for broccoli.
 
Currently, there are an increasing number of people who are achieving drug-free numbers equivalent to those that David Unwin refers to as 'in remission', while eating a diet containing anywhere between 200 and 700 grams of carbs.

Can you point to any papers/sites detailing those results, along similar lines to those Dr Unwin has published? Thanks.
 

Yes, we have seen that graph hundred times, but it isn't meaningless; or at least the reason we keep seeing it isn't meaningless The irony of course is that many here see PCRM as nothing but a front for veganism, and thus totally untrustworthy. Yet when it comes to trying to discount the use of a high-carb, low-fat program, and furthering the anti-vegan agenda, it suddenly becomes the indisputable gold-standard in science



I agree that 7.5% is firmly diabetic, but do you not agree that 6.2% is not non-diabetic? They really are just two different extents of science failing to demonstrate what individuals, in real-world settings are accomplishing every day. At that point, just dismiss the study. No need to declare any kind of victory, hollow or otherwise. In both cases, we can provide examples that render both studies redundant.
 

Yes I consider 6.2 also diabetic. But my personal definition of diabetic pathology vis-à-vis T2DM is hyperinsulinemia, so I’d want to be looking at a lot more data than just HbA1c anyway. I’ve always considered it a blunt diagnostic tool. But we’re getting into the weeds now…
 
Yes I consider 6.2 also diabetic.

So, would you agree with me that the Virta study is a poor representation of what is actually achievable with a low-carb program, and that it isn't a stretch to believe that there are currently a lot of people achieving results that far out-perform those in Barnard's official study, that do a better job of validating the program?


ok
 

Only skimmed through this, thus far. But while there are a couple of red-flags, i.e not being able to get through even a few days without cheating...oh, and the fact that amount of time would be practically useless to assess such a diet-change, I thought it was a pretty balanced article
 

Maybe, maybe not. In the end the only thing that really matters to me is personal results, and I know if I tied to eat 700g of carbohydrate a day my blood would set by the end of the week. Of course I have to accept the opposite may be true in others, but they will be major, major outliers. I am willing to bet 10p that if I gave a thousand diabetics a super high carb, low fat diet, 999 of them would get worse.
 
Maybe, maybe not. In the end the only thing that really matters to me is personal results, and I know if I tied to eat 700g of carbohydrate a day my blood would set by the end of the week.

I suspect that just like most people your experience of carbs is within the context of a Standard Western Diet, which is, despite what many will have us believe, distinctly NOT low-fat. In most cases, the foods that many think of as carbs, are just as high if not higher in fat. The ramifications this has, in terms of health and blood-sugar aren't just cited by the likes of Barnard. Pretty sure Ted Naiman agrees with this as a toxic combination.

If it is true that carbs and fat in the blood are a chalk and cheese/water and oil type of bad combination, then prioritising one and minimising the other theoretically could help the issue. Where low-carbers clearly minimise the carbs, low-fat dieters do the diametric opposite. Is it really too hard to imagine that both could effect similar results? Especially given the success stories on both sides?

Of course I have to accept the opposite may be true in others, but they will be major, major outliers. I am willing to bet 10p that if I gave a thousand diabetics a super high carb, low fat diet, 999 of them would get worse.

And there I was, thinking we were making progress

I happen to think that both keto and low-fat are extremes; certainly enough so, that I'd regard those who make it stick (As in, year-in/year-out, with nary an hour 'off the wagon') are already outliers. But from what I have seen over the last couple of decades (I've not been behind the MD paywall, however), that those who give it everything they've got, get it done. Same with low-carbers.

However, the idea of people getting worse seems odd, especially when you consider that even in Barnard's now evidently ill-fated study patients weren't getting worse
 
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And a subjective precis of some of the winners and losers
https://blog.insidetracker.com/vegans-vs-non-vegans-who-is-healthier
This includes some dodgy and biassed statements regarding use of meat products.

Interesting, as I've not only heard of studied vegans coming at higher levels of testosterone than both vegetarians and omnivores, but nearly all the vegan blood-tests I've seen over the last couple of decades, levels have been well within expected and ideal ranges. This also goes for raw-vegans, and Brian Turner, who did a 30-day experiment of daily soy consumption and managing to increase his testosterone (Not scientific, but fun nonetheless)

 
The irony of course is that many here see PCRM as nothing but a front for veganism

Because that is precisely what it is.

But more to the MD programme have you tried it yet?

You seem very pro yet every time you have been asked what you are doing to put your own T2 into remission you usually clam up or say "not yet".
 

Those are all n=1 stories, which are great and have their place, but that wasn’t what I asked for. These links have been shared to death, I’m after some data.
 
Because that is precisely what it is.

But more to the MD programme have you tried it yet?

You seem very pro yet every time you have been asked what you are doing to put your own T2 into remission you usually clam up or say "not yet".

No! The two things are intertwined, but the PCRM model is based fundamentally on real-world health results. That doesn't mean all is fine 'n' dandy. As a vegan, for various reasons, i don't support them.

My own results are unclear, currently. I have very few strips at the moment, and the last time I ordered them they were held up for weeks in customs. As such, I'm not even measuring daily. Last time I checked, a few days ago FBG was 180 (Down from 200-and something), and 5 kilos lost (Currently weigh less than I have in 7 years, and 7 kilos lighter than I was at diagnosis, four years ago).

However, I'm not currently following the MD or any program. I am just eating less of any foods that I want. The only qualifier is that they're vegan. I'm currently considering increasing the current quantity of junk-food I'm eating and more closely monitoring throughout November (This presumes I get more interim strips). Nothing certain, though
 
Err yes they were that's why the HbA1c line starts to go up again.. that is a worsening of their previous just bad levels.

That's not what I mean. If Barnard's plan was potentially impossible, there would never have been any initial drop. But I'd again draw your attention to Virta's study which not only failed to reach non-diabetic range, but also has bounced back upwards.

Perhaps low-carb is just not effective for the Virta participants
 
Those are all n=1 stories, which are great and have their place, but that wasn’t what I asked for. These links have been shared to death, I’m after some data.

Actually, you asked me to papers, but also sites. I pointed you to their site. And their account contain data point, albeit limited. It is still data

Can you explain to me why these examples aren't worthy of consideration?
 
Those are all n=1 stories, which are great and have their place, but that wasn’t what I asked for. These links have been shared to death, I’m after some data.
I also seek evidence that is independamtly derived, and all beating my betes sources so far have been from sites with vested interest. At least with this site, it is open to the public, and so we notice a distinct lack of claims being made for High Carb type diets, except where insulin treatment applies. There is also a dearth of proper studies in the archives regarding the claims for these diets. That is why we are slow to applaud when these posts appear. There is a limit to the glossy promo videos we can absorb. Bring some verifiable evidence that is properly constituted, then we can discuss it. The OP video does not float my boat.
 
Not true (from where I stand anyhow)
https://www.virtahealth.com/outcomes

Edit to add: if I break my rule and link to a site with vested interest, then I get this:
https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/201...hba1c-in-type-2-diabetes-review-99114687.html

Backed up by the science
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30007275/
 
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Thanks for sharing your opinions. I can't imagine being vegan but do know my step mum feels much better without meat and cheese although she is still overweight though has no health issues. Dairy seemed to make her joints worse!
At the same time as reading Denise Minger's book I also read Leia Keith's book The Vegetarian Myth (a vegan apostate) and Michael Polan's one too although you could reverse his conclusion in her case: Eat food, not too much, mainly plants!
As for this type 1 guy who takes no insulin, I am speculating as to why this could be. As a type 1 I have to take at minimum a basal dose of insulin because in the absence of endogenous insulin to suppress it , my liver will pump out glucose. Hence my speculation that he is making a little insulin of his own! Dr Bernstein (type 1 specialist) advocates a ketogenic diet for newly diagnosed to prolong the life of the beta cells for as long as possible.
My own insulin supplies dwindled to nothing circa 1981 and my blood glucose got to over 31 yesterday without eating a thing (a pump tubing issue) but I suppose like you I am rather attached to my way of eating and not willing to give it up.
 
Yeah I had a look at the studies and the main source seemed to be a study which found that a 6 year old had sent type 1 into remission via a Gluten-free Diet.

The study called for further research, which as far as I can tell never happened, which limits discussion around it severely.

The study shows a solid series of tests were conducted to confirm the Type 1 diagnosis despite the most logical explanation being that the patient was misdiagnosed.
 
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