Hey, @Iowaboy -
I am going into my 4th year as a 1.5 - I ended up in ICU for 5-days. Had both antibodies in my blood. I have been insulin dependent and with careful following as close to Dr. B's protocols ( just more veggies and less protein ) and measuring my glucose 4 to 6 times a day and exercise, I've been able to keep my A1C between 4.8 and 5.3 - For me and others alcohol drives my BG down dramatically - even higher alcohol percentage of pints of craft beer - but of course for me this leads to overeating.
After reading this thread here are my thoughts:
3-weeks ago, my brother who is in his mid 50s, fit, no fat, takes statins, baby aspirin for the last 15-years. He is a marathon swimmer and long distance bike rider, survived a massive heart attack with a triple bypass. One major artery was 100% plugged - the week before he had raced a 400-mile bike race - and the others were 60% to 75%. The question was how could this be?
- The A1C doesn't necessarily accurate as one a test and there can be a 1/2 percent error in the test itself
- Also, individuals life span of their hemoglobin cells can range from 80 to 160 days or so ( not sure of these numbers are exact but there is a variability ).
- If you listen to Dr. B's podcast he believes a normal A1C should be in the 4.2 to 4.8 range
- You can do your own glucose tolerance test by drinking 75g of glucose water tablets and measure your blood glucose every 15 to 30 minutes ( to help smooth out the error % ). I start at 5am and read until 9am - going out further than the normal 2-hours in my case was very enlightening - I try and do my own once every quarter.
- Is there a history of diabetes in your family?
- I've looked into the diets of Dr. Bs, Dr. Ornish , the traditional Japanese diets etc ... and one thing that stands out especially in Dr. Bs and Dr. Os case they are really not so much low fat diets or low carb diets as they are low calorie diets and some would even say very low calorie diets. I think this is one of the keys that is really missed by us diabetics.
- I've been using smart watches for my running and I believe that for many of us the Basel Metabolic Rate BMR is way too high - mine is over 2,000ca and from checking at it it is about 500 to 600 calories too high. But if I am eating between 1,400 to 1,600 calories a day - with no exercise - I am hungry all the time.
The cardiologist said that as we age, we should all assume we have at least one artery plugged and manage your life as if you did have one.
I think that this is a good strategy when it comes to diabetes. Assume that as we age we have increasing metabolic syndrome, decrease in our ability of our beta cells to function correctly, of course exercise ( have your read what Dr. B has said about it?) and most importantly, cut down on the total calories we eat each day.
Hello Iowaboy, good to read your update. Your results sound excellent to me. You must be doing something (lots!) right. IMO increasing your strength training and reducing the LSD marathon training is a good idea, but it might be a pity to cut out the running altogether in the winter. Unless of course you prefer to substitute some other vigorous aerobic training that you can do inside away from the weather. I think the latest theory is, that it is more healthful in general to do some sort of interval training rather than long gentle miles. I really like the approach suggested by these people: https://www.ntnu.edu/cerg/advice It is not aimed at diabetics in particular. Their idea of 4 x 4 minute intervals suits me timewise, yet I feel I get a real workout doing them. This also fits with Dr Bernstein's advice, though he does a somewhat different workout, but he is categorical that truly vigorous training, both aerobic and weights, benefits diabetics hugely, provided they are in shape to do it, which in your case you manifestly are.Great post and I really appreciate all the information! Wow - I think it is incredible you have kept your A1C so tightly controlled. That is fantastic! I have read Dr. B's book but I need to read it again. There is so much information it is hard to absorb all at once.
No, there wasn't any history of diabetes in my family - or at least I thought. After I started asking around, I learned of a relative who was diagnosed as pre-diabetic but was able to change diet/lose weight and currently has an A1C in the normal range. In talking with my father, apparently he has had a borderline A1C for years (who knew?).
I do think you are right that low calorie is critical. The body just isn't designed to intake a huge amount of food. I am curious - do you target a certain number of carbs a day? Also, curious why you do a glucose tolerance test every quarter. If you are already using insulin, does that give you helpful information? Or do you do that to adjust the amount of insulin you need?
I am so sorry to hear about your brother. I hope everything is OK. The more I read about extreme exercise, the more I realize that the body simply isn't designed for the extremes, and that includes running marathons. I have decided to adjust my fitness goals, and cut back on the running some but increase the strength training. I will still continue to run during the warmer months, but I think the marathon running has been detrimental for a number of reasons.
I feel like my eating is getting into more of a routine recently. I am testing levels twice a day currently, after I get up and 2 hours after dinner. My fasting in AM has been 80-90, usually on the lower end if I exercise the night be for. My 2 hour post dinner has been running 95-105. Also fairly happy with that. Will see where the A1C is when it is re-checked in January.
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