Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
I just picked this up in the library yesterday, so thought I'd post a bit about it. It's actually a very short book, as two thirds of it is taken up with recipes - useful if you're looking for some recipes, I suppose!
The book is aimed at both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, and is based on the premise that lowering the amounts of insulin (either generated by the body or injected) is fundamental to prevent weight gain and cell ageing and damage. There are some interesting bits about cholesterol at the beginning, with a good explanation of HDL and LDL and their effects on the body, and how the production of it by the body is related to insulin levels. The book then goes on to describe a diet of reduced carbs (no more than 60g per day), with some guidance on reducing medication illustrated by some case histories.
I found it a bit confusing though, certainly from the Type 1 perspective. I've known almost from day 1 that eating fewer carbs means less insulin to inject. When the diet moves from the 'Initial Stage' to the 'Maintenance Stage', more carbs are introduced, and he says that this may mean more insulin is needed - well, DUH! Also, in the case histories of Type 1s, they start with above range BG levels and reduce these, as well as reducing insulin requirements by eating less carbs. To me, it simply means that originally they were eating too much and not taking enough insulin to cover it! The main advantages appear to be the elevation of 'good' cholesterol and reduction of 'bad'.
As far as Type 2s are concerned, I can see that dietary modification (i.e. less carbs) is a principle tool in controlling the body's need for and production of insulin. There's no real mention of the benefits of exercise in increasing insulin sensitivity, which is a bit of an omission and should have warranted a chapter.
So, not a recommendation, but you might want to try some of the recipes if you can borrow it from the library!
The Diabetes Revolution (amazon link)
The book is aimed at both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics, and is based on the premise that lowering the amounts of insulin (either generated by the body or injected) is fundamental to prevent weight gain and cell ageing and damage. There are some interesting bits about cholesterol at the beginning, with a good explanation of HDL and LDL and their effects on the body, and how the production of it by the body is related to insulin levels. The book then goes on to describe a diet of reduced carbs (no more than 60g per day), with some guidance on reducing medication illustrated by some case histories.
I found it a bit confusing though, certainly from the Type 1 perspective. I've known almost from day 1 that eating fewer carbs means less insulin to inject. When the diet moves from the 'Initial Stage' to the 'Maintenance Stage', more carbs are introduced, and he says that this may mean more insulin is needed - well, DUH! Also, in the case histories of Type 1s, they start with above range BG levels and reduce these, as well as reducing insulin requirements by eating less carbs. To me, it simply means that originally they were eating too much and not taking enough insulin to cover it! The main advantages appear to be the elevation of 'good' cholesterol and reduction of 'bad'.
As far as Type 2s are concerned, I can see that dietary modification (i.e. less carbs) is a principle tool in controlling the body's need for and production of insulin. There's no real mention of the benefits of exercise in increasing insulin sensitivity, which is a bit of an omission and should have warranted a chapter.
So, not a recommendation, but you might want to try some of the recipes if you can borrow it from the library!
The Diabetes Revolution (amazon link)
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