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starting newcastle diet on 2nd jan

The metabolic abnormalities of type 2 diabetes can be reversed reproducibly by bariatric surgery. By quantifying the major pathophysiological abnormalities in insulin secretion and insulin action after surgery, the sequence of events leading to restoration of normal metabolism can be defined. Liver fat levels fall within days and normal hepatic insulin sensitivity is restored. Simultaneously, plasma glucose levels return towards normal. Insulin sensitivity of muscle remains abnormal, at least over the weeks and months after bariatric surgery. The effect of the surgery is explicable solely in terms of energy restriction. By combining this information with prospective observation of the changes immediately preceding the onset of type 2 diabetes, a clear picture emerges. Insulin resistance in muscle, caused by inherited and environmental factors, facilitates the development of fatty liver during positive energy balance. Once established, the increased insulin secretion required to maintain plasma glucose levels will further increase liver fat deposition. Fatty liver causes resistance to insulin suppression of hepatic glucose output as well as raised plasma triacylglycerol. Exposure of beta cells to increased levels of fatty acids, derived from circulating and locally deposited triacylglycerol, suppresses glucose-mediated insulin secretion. This is reversible initially, but eventually becomes permanent. The essential time sequence of the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes is now evident. Muscle insulin resistance determines the rate at which fatty liver progresses, and ectopic fat deposition in liver and islet underlies the related dynamic defects of hepatic insulin resistance and beta cell dysfunction. These defects are capable of dramatic reversal under hypoenergetic feeding conditions, completely in early diabetes and to a worthwhile extent in more established disease.

Just something i knocked up in my spare time........No seriously its from the US National library of medicine website.
 
Hi Cath,
You are quite right to point out to any one considering the diet that they need to consider the points you make. The diet is not suitable for all types 2s. People who are thinking about undertaking it need to do their research first
In my case I read the original academic paper, the notes to docors, various threads on this forum and as much other information as I could glean on-line. I consulted my Doctor who whilest not condoning my actions did not advise against them. I told the Doc that I would discontinue my 3 metformin/day and would monitor my BG closely -especially during the transition period at the start of the diet.
I also reviewed my last retina scan to ensue there would be no macrovascular problems - my blood pressure was slightly high so the diet would only improve this.
As for your other points I have agreed a weight loss target with myself! I considered iron and vitamin supplements but looking at the nutritional info on the shakes and all the leafy veg i an eating I decided that in my case they were unnecessary - it is only for 8 weeks.
I dont quite follow your point that we have modified the diet. The diet is being followed to the letter apart for using a different brand of shake - as optifast is not readily available. Looking at the nutritional info optifast is similar to all the other brands of shake. The only major difference is that it contains less calories- about 170 compared with other brands 210 or there abouts.
Unfortunately many doctors tend to be very passive in the treatment of type2 diabetes. Never once have I been advised to lose weight. Never once been advised to do more excersise. Whenever there is a problem with a HB1aC test or a BP reading they reach for the prescription pad!!
As you can see from this thread and others that I have read nobody has reported any detrimental results so far.
I repeat the diet is not for everyone -do your research first. As Geordie says we are big boys and girls now and should be able to make our own choices
 
Hibluehills,
I am not saying that nobody should undertake this diet and if you read through my previous post you will see why I say this. It is the newly diagnosed and lurkers that are my main concern.
There is one participant on this thread who is not a Type2 and I wonder if their Dr. does not have the information about the diet or has not been consulted. This could lead to newly diagnosed Type1's thinking it is alright for them.

It is a modified diet because you are not using the same shake as the Newcastle Study did. It is available on prescription in the U.K. so that makes me wonder if some Drs are ambivilant about anybody who is participating.

You seem to have a good grasp of what it is all about and I hope that others who follow suit will gain as much knowledge as you have before participating. You are the only one who has mentioned iron levels, vitamin supplementation and macrovascular problems as in the information for Drs. It needs highlighting as I do not want to see anyone undertaking this diet without the necessary knowledge.
Shopping for the shakes at a major supermarket and getting on with it is not an ideal scenario.

Some participants think that this is a them and us situation but if they read through posts like Sid's and mine you will see that it is far from the case. Nobody is saying don't do it but rather educate yourself first and involve your Dr. and hopefully you will have a different outlook on what constitutes a healthy diet that you can stick to after you have finished.
 
Well, I am not type 2, but I have spoken to my doctor and he is happy for me to try this diet for eight weeks.

He had no concerns other than asking me to keep a close eye on my BG's and changing my medication accordingly - he did not want me to stop my medication altogether and so i haven't. He is going to ring me halfway through the diet just to check my BG's are not too low and has encouraged me to ring him if I have any concerns about my medication. To be honest, he thought that increasing my exercise would effect my BG's more than the diet itself.

He doesn't think it will "cure" me but he thinks if I can lose some weight it can only do me good. He has said that my diabetes will progress whatever I do, but that losing the weight and taking regular exercise will help prevent other complications.

So, I have read the findings of the study and researched the science to the limit of my knowledge (I am more of a humanities person than a scientist, I must admit x), read the anecdotal evidence of folk on here and spoken to my doctor. That is a hell of a lot more research than I did before I started weight watchers or slimming world and I was expecting to follow those diets for a lot longer than eight weeks!!

Anyone who follows this diet without research is probably the sort of person that would follow any diet that promised a quick fix such as the cabbage soup diet, or the maple syrup diet etc without consulting a doctor or conducting any kind of research. I don't think that the reasoned arguments put forward by Sid Bonkers or Cherub would effect them anyway. I appreciate your concern and can assure you that I have started this diet as a means to help not hinder my health problems. As I have said before, if at any point I or my doctor feel that my health is compromised by continuing I will stop the diet.

As an aside, recently the dietician weighed me and transposed two of the figures on my notes. When I was weighed a fortnight later, it looked as though I has lost 22 pounds in the two week period!! My doctor actually rang me at work to congratulate me, so he is not worried about rapid weight loss at all!
 
Cath
I understand where you are coming from but the wording on the reports from the original study say something along the lines of 'Optifast or similar' I could dig out the document but in reality in this day and age if there is so little difference in anything other than price, I think 'Optifast' is quite expensive and slimfast isnt, and from what i can gather you can only get optifast on prescription, for free i presume for diabetics, yet another expense to the nhs that neednt be there.
I think if this diet proves nothing else it will prove that except in a few cases the majority of type 2 diabetics who are diagnosed reasonably early can make large improvements in their bgs by diet and exercise alone. The rationale behind the weight loss and the rapid weight loss appears to be sound in my opinion, get rid of the visceral fat around and in our livers and pancreas and things get back to 'normal', it is based on the vast reduction in calorific intake experienced by bariatric surgery patients and their subsequent loss of diabetes, this is repeatable and proved.
i just hope if i can get this condition under tight control i might live long enough to see my retirement.
bgs this afternoon 4.8 at tea time, 8.1(highest in two weeks) after but i had three sweets (i know i know, couldnt resist) and it spiked me, its back down to 6.1 after gym. Main thing is its returning to 'normal' very quickly
 
Day 1 of the diet for me.

Chose the Asda shakes and have had 3 plus a bowl of home made tomato soup

My starting weight is 17 stone 10lbs; my FBG was 7 this morning which amazed me as I pigged out on chocolate last night. Just taken another reading and it's 7.2

I will continue to take Metformin; Benfotamaine and various vitamins and minerals for the time being
 
good luck ardbeg, it really isnt that hard to follow and in no time ull not have hunger pangs or cravings
 
Thanks guys.

Know what you mean about the red wine; I was drinking it every night. TBH, I'd be happy with the resulting weight loss plus the detox for my internal organs after 8 weeks; reversal of my betes would be the icing on the cake for me.

That was a VERY inappropriate metaphor sorry ;)

FBG this morning is 7.4
 
Hi all,

I have been on the Newcastle diet now for 2 1/2 weeks and have lost 6 kgs so far. Yesterday my blood glucose levels were normal on each reading, for the first time in 10 years! I have stopped my short acting insulin altogether and have drastically reduced my long acting insulin. I think by the end of the diet I should be off the insulin completely. My blood pressure levels have also dropped and I will soon be stopping my BP pills as it gets lower and lower. Even though I have to admit I am starving hungry most of the time, I feel this diet has so been worth it. I will definately be sticking with it and I am quite excited to see what happens in the next few weeks

FGB this morning 5.2 :D
 
Morning all
FBG this morning 5.1 so all good
Ardbeg whats a metaphor lol :D Can you use language that people from oop North can understand

Heres a question for those more knowledgeable than me, which bg reading is the most important, is it the overnight fbg, i appreciatte they are all important but which is the indicator of good control?

Im costing the NHS loads of dosh with all my testing and cant continue to do it after the eight weeks are up.

Come on peeps lets keep going with it and see how wehave done after the eight weeks are up, but bear in mind this is just the first step on a very long journey.

And as far as wine goes if you get one with berries, plum etc in it does it count as some of your five a day???? lol
 
Antmos thats tremendous results can i just make a quick point though and bear in mind i dont take insulin, but you are reducing your amounts under medical supervision?

As previously mentioned we are all grown ups just i would hate you to have an episode and injure yourselve or others by reducing it too much.

Sorry for being concerned lol, you know your body better than i
 
Heres a strange observation if youll pardon the pun

Last week my eyesight was awful, close up i couldnt read anything unless it was at arms length??

Had my eyes checked just before xmas and although slight deterioration no prescription needed.

This week though i have eyes like a s***house rat, I feel a bit like superman with special vision.

Has anyone else experienced this.???????
 
Hi Geordie.
I look forward to developing xray vision but no sign of yet i`m afraid!!
By the way I went to Tesco and bought some Slimfast shake powder.
On reading the can I notice that the 230 cals quoted is when it is made up with 250ml of skimmed milk. Skimmed milk is 88cals for 250ml so if I make it with water I`m only getting 142 cals.
At that rate I could have 4 shakes a day rather than 3 and still only be on 568 cals.
 
Bluehills
TBH i m at stage where i dont have the third shake i just have the vegetables as im just not hungry for it!!!
I should really have it for fear of body going into starvation mode lol, although i could prob last about five years on what ive got already lol
 
geordie90 said:
Heres a question for those more knowledgeable than me, which bg reading is the most important, is it the overnight fbg, i appreciatte they are all important but which is the indicator of good control?
Click to expand...

The best indicator of good control over a day is the 2hr post prandial (after meal) levels. You may well wake up with a fasting level in the low 5's but that is just a baseline. A place to start from and just indicates you probably aren't suffering from any dawn phenomenon. A good start but not the best indicator.

Test regularly throughout the day after your meals and that is a great indicator of the control you may or may not be achieving. Then in a few months time get your HbA1c checked, that too will indicate if your control has improved or not.

Good luck with your regime.
 
thanks for that angeleyes, not going to be checking as much but once diet is over but will keep up regular monitoring
 
Evening all!

FBG still around 6.5 to 7, lovely ratatouille type thing for tea and excellent session at the gym.

Feeling good today!
 
excellent news bean counter, have to say i feel gr8 tbh, people are starting to notice too, which is always a confidence boost
Bgs have been excellent too so all good at minute
 
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