Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
This is a book written by a former GP which encompasses all types of diabetes, including ?metabolic syndrome?, often also referred to as ?pre-diabetes?. As such, it can on occasion appear more relevant to Type 2 diabetes, although much of the content is applicable to anyone wishing to know more about how they can improve blood sugar control and lessen the impact of many of the problems associated with diabetes, like cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, retinopathy etc.
As can quickly be deduced, the approach taken by Dr Brewer is primarily to identify deficiencies in various vitamins, minerals and trace elements caused by or related to diabetes, and describe how these deficiencies may be overcome. As such, much of the book in the latter chapters comprises a detailed discussion of supplements and dietary sources.
The book is well-written and appears well-researched. After a few initial chapters describing diabetes and its effects, treatments and complications, there is a discussion of diet, both for weight loss (primarily the Atkins Diet) and also in order to provide optimal blood sugar control (by using the principles of the GL Diet).
In contrast to many other books I have encountered that push the supplement options rather too heavily for my taste, this book imparts a very comprehensive knowledge of what to watch out for, what is available, and just about seems to cover every angle (including possible drug interactions etc.). There are one or two howlers, as I have come to expect from GP-written books: Dr Brewer asserts that the ?official? level for a hypo is below 2.5 mmol/l, she seems rather confused about the true meaning of carb counting in insulin-treated diabetes (I suspect her description would more closely describe the older ?lines? system), plus the statistics offered do not appear to have been updated for the paperback edition, released 5 years after the original hardback.
I would give it 4 stars out of 5 ? a useful addition to the diabetic?s library which makes you aware of much of the lesser-known aspects of the effects of diabetes and how complementary therapies may be helpful in reducing risk. The book is liberally sprinkled with warnings that no changes to treatment should be made without first discussing with the person?s doctor, and does not (thankfully!) make any outrageous or potentially dangerous claims
Natural Approaches to Diabetes: The Complete Holistic Guide - Dr Sarah Brewer
As can quickly be deduced, the approach taken by Dr Brewer is primarily to identify deficiencies in various vitamins, minerals and trace elements caused by or related to diabetes, and describe how these deficiencies may be overcome. As such, much of the book in the latter chapters comprises a detailed discussion of supplements and dietary sources.
The book is well-written and appears well-researched. After a few initial chapters describing diabetes and its effects, treatments and complications, there is a discussion of diet, both for weight loss (primarily the Atkins Diet) and also in order to provide optimal blood sugar control (by using the principles of the GL Diet).
In contrast to many other books I have encountered that push the supplement options rather too heavily for my taste, this book imparts a very comprehensive knowledge of what to watch out for, what is available, and just about seems to cover every angle (including possible drug interactions etc.). There are one or two howlers, as I have come to expect from GP-written books: Dr Brewer asserts that the ?official? level for a hypo is below 2.5 mmol/l, she seems rather confused about the true meaning of carb counting in insulin-treated diabetes (I suspect her description would more closely describe the older ?lines? system), plus the statistics offered do not appear to have been updated for the paperback edition, released 5 years after the original hardback.
I would give it 4 stars out of 5 ? a useful addition to the diabetic?s library which makes you aware of much of the lesser-known aspects of the effects of diabetes and how complementary therapies may be helpful in reducing risk. The book is liberally sprinkled with warnings that no changes to treatment should be made without first discussing with the person?s doctor, and does not (thankfully!) make any outrageous or potentially dangerous claims
Natural Approaches to Diabetes: The Complete Holistic Guide - Dr Sarah Brewer
