getting basic information

[pauleo]

I'm trying to get a basic understanding of diabetes and blood sugar. I ordered the Dr Bernstein book and I just started reading this site. But what are best sources of introductory information?

Some things - firstly I'm prediabetic, not diabetic (also I have a family history of diabetes). I'm not quite sure if this site is focussed on full diabetic discussion, rather than prediabetes, so please someone let me know if I'm in the wrong place and sorry for the mistake.

Secondly I'm one of those people who has an aversion to mainstream medical care. Too boring to relate why, and probably a familiar tale anyway, but I look after my own health and seeing a doctor is not something I considering. I get the impression that there are other people here who are self-diagnosed, and working out their treatments. Does anyone have recommendations on where I should begin for basic information? One thing I find when googling around is that there is not so much advice for the prediabetic stage. I don't even yet know if it's haltable, reversible etc or much about what to expect.

Thanks!
Paul.

[penelope]

I find that the DR Bernstein book covers everything you want to know. Once you read it, you will be your own source of knowledge because we are all different.
Good luck on this new journey.

[penelope]

Here is something else I read but since I am not medication or insulin dependent , I read it out of curiosity it is not useful to me.
Click here.
http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=132

[Daryl]

I'm trying to get a basic understanding of diabetes and blood sugar. I ordered the Dr Bernstein book and I just started reading this site. But what are best sources of introductory information?

Some things - firstly I'm prediabetic, not diabetic (also I have a family history of diabetes). I'm not quite sure if this site is focussed on full diabetic discussion, rather than prediabetes, so please someone let me know if I'm in the wrong place and sorry for the mistake.

Secondly I'm one of those people who has an aversion to mainstream medical care. Too boring to relate why, and probably a familiar tale anyway, but I look after my own health and seeing a doctor is not something I considering. I get the impression that there are other people here who are self-diagnosed, and working out their treatments. Does anyone have recommendations on where I should begin for basic information? One thing I find when googling around is that there is not so much advice for the prediabetic stage. I don't even yet know if it's haltable, reversible etc or much about what to expect.

Thanks!
Paul.

Hi Paul. Yes, as a pre-diabetic, you are most welcome here. I agree that the Bernstein book will give you a great deal of knowledge, I would also urge you to read Protein Power LifePlan by Drs Dan and Mary Eades, as it touches on diabetes, as well as insulin and the role it plays in our health; Diabetes Revolution by Dr Robert Atkins, Type 2 Diabetes: The First Year, by Gretchen Becker. All very positive books, and containing a wealth of knowledge.

I believe strongly that low carb eating can keep a pre-diabetic from becoming diabetic. I wish with all my heart that I had begun eating this way before I became diabetic.

[MizKitty]

Another recommendation for Diabetes Revolution by Dr Robert Atkins, which is perfect for you because it's really aimed at pre-diabetics, with the focus on how to stop from progressing further.

There's a thread here somewhere with a good clear article explaining diabetes, I'll find it and link it...

Here it is:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=322290

[RobLL]

I'm trying to get a basic understanding of diabetes and blood sugar. I ordered the Dr Bernstein book and I just started reading this site. But what are best sources of introductory information?

Some things - firstly I'm prediabetic, not diabetic (also I have a family history of diabetes). I'm not quite sure if this site is focussed on full diabetic discussion, rather than prediabetes, so please someone let me know if I'm in the wrong place and sorry for the mistake.

Secondly I'm one of those people who has an aversion to mainstream medical care. Too boring to relate why, and probably a familiar tale anyway, but I look after my own health and seeing a doctor is not something I considering. I get the impression that there are other people here who are self-diagnosed, and working out their treatments. Does anyone have recommendations on where I should begin for basic information? One thing I find when googling around is that there is not so much advice for the prediabetic stage. I don't even yet know if it's haltable, reversible etc or much about what to expect.

Thanks!
Paul.

Paul - I am technically pre-diabetic, which I interpret a kinda diabetic, or "about to be diabetic" if I don't do something. I bought Dr. Bernstein's book last year, and the update a month or two ago. Good investment. I recommend his books.

Yet he really does not address the real problems of how to maintain control if you are pre-diabetic and not using meds. For us 'pre's' too little as well as too much carb, or carbs at the wrong time of day may be the problem. You are right that on line there is not good infor for pre's. I wonder if it might be possible for some of us to develop a blog or web site? In any event I look forward to exchanging information with you and others in our situation on this site. Rob

[pauleo]

Thanks everyone! As it happened, Dr Bernstein's book actually arrived today after my post, and I started reading that already. Karen - that link was great thank you. Also thanks to all for the books and links.

Rob - sure, seems good for prediabetics to share info somehow. I am very curious since you seem to have been aware of the condition for a while - is it stable or changing or do you feel you are controlling it? I started a diary which lists morning FBG readings, sometimes bedtime reading, whether I did exercise, also any unusual food. I have been eating paleolithic diet for other reasons since last year (which also explains why I am so quickly organized with a BG diary, I am getting well-practiced at monitoring health!) so my diet is generally low-carb, but until the BG issue popped up, I also occasionally ate what I pleased and drank wine. I have already discovered that even a good quality high-sugar food like fresh fruit bounces up my usual BG readings over a couple of days,

Paul.

[eddiemcm]

"Yet he really does not address the real problems of how to maintain control if you are pre-diabetic and not using meds."
Some fairly good information from Bernstein.
Mostly irrelevant to a lot of us in different
situations than him.
Eddie

[pauleo]

The Dr Bernstein book is excellent. Seems like an admirable person too. Rob - a question, why do you say too little carbs could be a problem. Dr Bernstein says even a no-carb diet can be a healthy diet.

[RobLL]

The Dr Bernstein book is excellent. Seems like an admirable person too. Rob - a question, why do you say too little carbs could be a problem. Dr Bernstein says even a no-carb diet can be a healthy diet.

For a pre-diabetic not using meds a few carbs can get the insulin going, or so people say. I am getting mixed results on this, and for a second time my experiment has been trashed by respiratory infections. Anyway, the only normal readings I have got recently followed a small 'dose' of carbs, that is the readings some 4-24 hours later. Dina has mentioned this a number of times.

[eddiemcm]

"Dr Bernstein says even a no-carb diet can be a healthy diet."
No carb diet makes your whole system too
acidic and hence somewhat cancer prone.
This assumes you are using fat as your
energy source.
Eddie

[pauleo]

Dr Bernstein's book refers to the example of Stefansson
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vilhjalmur_Stefansson
who based his diet on Inuit diet. I think I have read that
traditional Inuit people had little cancer on a near zero-carb diet.

"Dr Bernstein says even a no-carb diet can be a healthy diet."
No carb diet makes your whole system too
acidic and hence somewhat cancer prone.
This assumes you are using fat as your
energy source.
Eddie

[pauleo]

Ah thanks, I think I see - small amount of carbs to keep the insulin cycle going. I'm going to keep my regular breakfast fruit (berries and apples) but eliminate fruit from the rest of the day, and see how that works. I guess it is bound to improve my FBG since then the sugar consumption is as far as possible time-wise from waking up the next day, and I also have the day's activity to burn the fruit sugar.

By the way I often have slices of apple with a dollop of nut butter as a snack and was wondering how to replace it. I have just discovered jicama, it is a great vegetable to replace the apple, a nice taste and crunchy, and low sugar. Maybe everyone here knows that one already!


For a pre-diabetic not using meds a few carbs can get the insulin going, or so people say. I am getting mixed results on this, and for a second time my experiment has been trashed by respiratory infections. Anyway, the only normal readings I have got recently followed a small 'dose' of carbs, that is the readings some 4-24 hours later. Dina has mentioned this a number of times.