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Malcolm Kendrick is a Scottish General Practitioner (GP), conspiracy theorist author, cholesterol denialist and low-carb diet advocate who has spent decades promoting the Atkins diet and more recently the carnivore diet.[3][4][5] He is best known for his controversial claim that low-density...
rationalwiki.org
Kendrick’s views and his book don’t appear to be supported by much evidence.
This is part of what I'm finding difficult to get my head around (having only be diagnosed for 5 minutes!). I'm a healthcare worker so I'm used to reading scientific papers etc and appraising evidence. I'm having to step back sometimes from some of the reading (even though the reading is my way of coming to terms with my diagnosis) because I'm finding it difficult how are there are such different ideas (sometime polar opposites) when it comes to cause, management, prognosis of this disease (and, now, I'm discovering cholesterol management too!). I'm grateful for the forum for that reason - people here know their stuff and the wealth of wisdom helps me to pick through some of the bad science.
This is part of what I'm finding difficult to get my head around (having only be diagnosed for 5 minutes!). I'm a healthcare worker so I'm used to reading scientific papers etc and appraising evidence. I'm having to step back sometimes from some of the reading (even though the reading is my way of coming to terms with my diagnosis) because I'm finding it difficult how are there are such different ideas (sometime polar opposites) when it comes to cause, management, prognosis of this disease (and, now, I'm discovering cholesterol management too!). I'm grateful for the forum for that reason - people here know their stuff and the wealth of wisdom helps me to pick through some of the bad science.
There is a specific issue with diabetes and cholesterol. The more variable the BG the more likely it is to cause irritation to the linings of the blood vessels. The body then tries to treat this by laying down plaque (so actually does damage) and the higher the cholesterol level the worse this is. Besides lowering cholesterol statins reduce this irritation and stabilise any existing plaque. This is another reason why statins are often recommended for diabetics. Unfortunately most health care professionals only mention the lowering of cholesterol and not the other benefits. Also good for reducing irritation is Vitamin C. Sadly Vitamin C in fresh fruit is often reduced by storage and handling conditions. I have read that citrus fruits sometimes loses up to 95!
T2 diabetes comes hand in hand with problems metabolising fats. In fact, I believe the problems with lipids start in T2 diabetics before hyperglycaemia, i.e. during pre-diabetes.
I’ve tried to read a few papers in it, but it’s way too complicated for my non medical brain. The major indicator is elevated triglycerides, though, due to the broken metabolism.
This is part of what I'm finding difficult to get my head around (having only be diagnosed for 5 minutes!). I'm a healthcare worker so I'm used to reading scientific papers etc and appraising evidence. I'm having to step back sometimes from some of the reading (even though the reading is my way of coming to terms with my diagnosis) because I'm finding it difficult how are there are such different ideas (sometime polar opposites) when it comes to cause, management, prognosis of this disease (and, now, I'm discovering cholesterol management too!). I'm grateful for the forum for that reason - people here know their stuff and the wealth of wisdom helps me to pick through some of the bad science.
We are all essentially a biological system and individual in the way the body responds to everything. Our DNA is unique and that drives the body plus the external factors so it is no wonder that there is no one size fits all when it comes to how each individual needs to manage their condition.
All you can do is do your own reading and some theories will seem more plausible to you but to other people will just not seem logical.
I found the Freshwell project principals makes perfect sense as does the theories of Dr Jason Fung and the Sarah Hallberg who sadly passed away from lung cancer though being a non -smoker.
With biology and individuality there will never be one simple answer. Add to this the complexity of interaction within the body, and sometimes also dependance on combinations of foods eaten. I personally tend to follow the most up to date verified science while keeping an eye on theories from reputable sources. @harbottle I found that entry on rationalwiki, it has one for zoe harcombe too.
It seems malcolm kendrick was removed from wikipedia after complaints. I note that wikipedia also has no entry for zoe.
These people are good at making what sounds to the layman plausible arguments, but the science behind it usually lacking or non-existent or filled with errors.
I think I'm probably in a similar position to yourself @BobbleHat having had the t2 and cholesterol diagnosis together several weeks ago now. People on here recommended the Nutra Check phone app which has made things easy for me keeping on top of what I eat and see the levels of everything. It's about £6 per month after the free period or less with an annual subscription.
I'm struggling quite a bit with the low sugar/low carbs but also trying to reduce saturated fat intake, eat less red meat and get my 5 a day fruit and veg but have definitely improved. Though I saw my calorie intake a week or two ago was about 850KCal for one day, I'll be interested to check my weight again at my next face-to-face appointment!
What has definitely happened though is that my levels of bad food intake - cakes, sweets, biscuits, heavily processed foods and ready meals have plummeted and in most cases disappeared completely and I'm generally feeling better for it.
I took the doctor's offer of statins (3 month trial) as they advised they would help and that I had a roughly 50% increased chance of a "cardiac event" in the next however many years compared to an average male of my age. So far I've been lucky with side effects with just a few more headaches but that might also be the current weather/pollen.
I just keep the carbs low, couldn't care less about the fats or much else to do with food for that matter, eat lots of cheese, cream in coffee multi coloured meats and fish etc. i.e. just how I used to eat except for those pesky carbs in all the obvious things. Keep weight stable. I just don't have the headroom to analyse it and won't take metformin or statins. Maybe I am lucky but my db nurse has no words when my bloods come back with cholesterol and all the other markers well below what they should be for a person of my age and having type 2. So if your results are reasonable, and so what if they are a little high, you have got to ask your self who set the limits and why, in many cases its just medical opinion without definitive research. I would say just keep doing what your doing and get on with enjoying life the best you can!
I think I'm probably in a similar position to yourself @BobbleHat having had the t2 and cholesterol diagnosis together several weeks ago now. People on here recommended the Nutra Check phone app which has made things easy for me keeping on top of what I eat and see the levels of everything. It's about £6 per month after the free period or less with an annual subscription.
I'm struggling quite a bit with the low sugar/low carbs but also trying to reduce saturated fat intake, eat less red meat and get my 5 a day fruit and veg but have definitely improved. Though I saw my calorie intake a week or two ago was about 850KCal for one day, I'll be interested to check my weight again at my next face-to-face appointment!
What has definitely happened though is that my levels of bad food intake - cakes, sweets, biscuits, heavily processed foods and ready meals have plummeted and in most cases disappeared completely and I'm generally feeling better for it.
I took the doctor's offer of statins (3 month trial) as they advised they would help and that I had a roughly 50% increased chance of a "cardiac event" in the next however many years compared to an average male of my age. So far I've been lucky with side effects with just a few more headaches but that might also be the current weather/pollen.
I use Nutracheck too. Just paid for an annual subscription. I find it very helpful. I'm definitely not averse to using statins if they become necessary (almost everyone in my family has raised cholesterol, even the people without diabetes or obesity concerns so there's a definite genetic heritage and I've assumed I'll need them at some point for years). But, I'd love to see if the healthier eating has any effect.
I'll be delighted if the Freshwell approach helps my cholesterol too. Like you, I'm already feeling better for eating less carbs.
I hope any other side effects stay away for you and the headaches, whether statin related or not, do ease soon.
I just keep the carbs low, couldn't care less about the fats or much else to do with food for that matter, eat lots of cheese, cream in coffee multi coloured meats and fish etc. i.e. just how I used to eat except for those pesky carbs in all the obvious things. Keep weight stable. I just don't have the headroom to analyse it and won't take metformin or statins. Maybe I am lucky but my db nurse has no words when my bloods come back with cholesterol and all the other markers well below what they should be for a person of my age and having type 2. So if your results are reasonable, and so what if they are a little high, you have got to ask your self who set the limits and why, in many cases its just medical opinion without definitive research. I would say just keep doing what your doing and get on with enjoying life the best you can!
Love this! And I can see from your signature bar, it's working well for you
I feel like, with an hba1c of 52 and serum cholesterol of 6.1, I'm lucky to get a chance to do something about it all whilst my ranges aren't too bad.
I'm annoyed with myself that it took a diabetes diagnosis to kick me into this way of eating (I've known I was pre-diabetic for 2 years but - as you say - headspace!). But shame is counter productive so I'm just going to enjoy this way of eating (which I do), experiment with finding exercise that suits - so far pilates and swimming are winning! - and see where it gets me (already 4kg down so fingers crossed ).
You have got to ask your self who set the limits and why, in many cases its just medical opinion without definitive research. I would say just keep doing what your doing and get on with enjoying life the best you can!
Profs Mike Lean and Roy Taylor established over 15 years ago that fatty liver and 'dietary' T2 can be reversed in many cases by losing 10-20 kg (more or less) by observation (ML) and first class scientific research (RT).
This blog article states:
'Hyperglycemia of either Type 1 or classic Type 2 diabetes does not exist without concurrent dysregulated lipid metabolism.... Dysregulated lipid metabolism precedes glucose dysregulation in the progression of Type 2.'
Fatty liver also precedes classic/metabolic/dietary Type 2 diabetes.
The OP who is concerned about raised cholesterol observed:
The issue is that when I do glance at the nutrient profile of what I'm eating, it shows the saturated fat content is still higher than advised....[Does] anyone else who is managing both diabetes and raised cholesterol have any wise words?
Is the simple answer to reverse one's fatty liver by diet, with a target HbA1c in the mid 30s? That brought my cholesterol levels down to normal from whatever they were before (my records no longer available on the NHS App)
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent condition affecting approximately a quarter of the global population. It is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, economic burden, and healthcare costs. The disease is characterized ...
I started lowering carbs about 6 months ago. Average around 50-75 each day. I’m eating way more fats in the form of cheese, butter, cream and eggs than ever before. I’m on 10 mcg Atorvastatin so my cholesterol was 4.2 on starting this. It’s now 3.9 and my A1c dropped from 67 to 41.
Unfortunately I’m still needing to use a small amount of insulin daily but hoping my dietary changes can reduce that further.
I’ve also lost weight and in particular around my waist/ tummy which I’m hoping indicates a loss of fat in my organs too.
I don’t count calories.
Best of luck going forward with your eating plan.
This blog article states:
'Hyperglycemia of either Type 1 or classic Type 2 diabetes does not exist without concurrent dysregulated lipid metabolism.... Dysregulated lipid metabolism precedes glucose dysregulation in the progression of Type 2.'
Fatty liver also precedes classic/metabolic/dietary Type 2 diabetes.
The OP who is concerned about raised cholesterol observed:
Is the simple answer to reverse one's fatty liver by diet, with a target HbA1c in the mid 30s? That brought my cholesterol levels down to normal from whatever they were before (my records no longer available on the NHS App)
This is true of me. I knew I had non alcoholic fatty liver a year before I knew I had type 2 diabetes (my cholesterol was normal then, go figure!) I'm an intelligent person and capable of doing my own research but I do wish my GP practice had been able to sit me down with someone and explain how that and prediabetes were definitely leading to type 2. No one seemed very concerned - and so I wasn't either!
rationalwiki.org
