Diabetes Be Gone.........

[Cajunboy47]

I haven't posted in a while. I was diagnosed with diabetes 10 years ago. Until October, 2006, I was on Glipazide twice daily with maximum strength dosages and could not keep my BG under 200 folllowing all the traditional medical advice and my weight was gradually gettting higher each year. I was also on Cholesterol medicines, anxiety meds, sleeping meds, different meds for pain and numbness in hands and feet. I was told my pancreas would probably be shutting down on me within the next year. I was on 8 medications in all.......

Well, here I am, after months of not following any traditional medical advice and I'm in the best condition I've been in for years.

My weight is down about 32 pounds from its highest point. I am not on any of those 8 medications. I feel like I have a new lease on life and I've not had a blood sugar spike in so long, I don't remember any more...

My last A1c was 5.9, but I am sure my next one will even be better. I wake up with numbers from 100 to 120 and average in the 90s' and sometimes 80s' during the day.

What's the biggest difference between now and before? My diet lifestyle! It is a complete comittment to changing the way I eat. Exercise is not something I've ever done consistently in years, but now I have so much energy, I started walking up to two hours daily (about 7to 8 miles).

I started taking supplements after a long time of researching. I have complete success at conrolling my diabetes, high blood pressure (borderline high before, now about 130/72), high cholesterol (before controlled under 200 with medications that had side effects, controlled now by herbs without side effects), weight contol (weighed 212, now 180 and healthily losing almost 1 pound each week and when not losing, maintaining easily), and my sexual function is restored to my pre-diabetic days, not from anything other than having everything else under control Here is what I take:

CONTROL Of Diabetes - Obesity - High Cholesterol - High Blood Pressure


DIET

I eat a diet that is balanced as follows:

Fats: 65% to 70%
Proteins: 20% to 25%
Carbohydrates: 05% to 10%

I avoid all: Artificial sweeteners, carbonated beverages, diet foods, all pre-packaged and pre-processed foods.

I use: Olive oil, real butter, heavy cream in my cooking. Regular Ranch Dressing on my salads

My main Focus on Food Sources: Meats, Seafood, Eggs, Hard Cheeses, green vegetables

A fat gram has 9 calories… A protein or a carbohydrate gram have 4 calories……

EXERCISE

I move as much as possible …….. If tired, I rest! I didn’t stress over how much or how little I ws able to do in the beginning. Just did what I could, without being lazy or crazy! Too much is as bad as too little was my guide. Just do what I enjoyed was my only motivation.

I developed a routine and as my health improved, I celebrated it with added activity. When I reached a point in my health restoration that I achieved something I couldn’t do before, I became proud of it and challenged myself to just a little more. I’ve been excited for a life of health, energy and freedom from afflictions that gave me problems in the past.


Here is my regime of Supplements:


Supplemental Schedule


Description Morning Night Amount

Alpha Lipoic Acid x 100 mg
Antioxidant (D-Care) x x 1 Tablet

Chromium Picolinate x 400 mcg
Cinnamon x x 500 mg

CO Q-10 x x 50 mg
Fish Oil w/omega-3 x x 1000 mg

Ginseng Complex x 1 Tablet
M-V Diabetes Formula x x 1 Tablet

Sugar Blocker (D-Care) x x 1 Tablet
Super B-Complex x 1 Tablet

Vitamin B-12 x 1000 mcg
Vitamin C x x 3000 mg
Vitamin E x x 250 iu (approximately)

These products are produced under the name brand, D-Care. The medical lab which produces these supplements does not sell directly to the public, but rather through internet based phamacies and through K-Mart Stores.

Go To: http://d-care.com/wheretobuy.html

Family meds online is a great place for me to get most of the above at good prices.

I use Walmart for everything above but the D-Care Products.


Herbal Medicines

Diabetes

MAI WEI DI HUANG WAN / EIGHT IMMORTALS TEA PILLS (1st choice)
LIU WEI DI HUANG WAN / SIX FLAVOR TEA PILLS (2nd choice)

High Blood Pressure

ER LONG / ER MING ZUO CI WAN / TSO-TZU OTIC TEAPILLS

High Cholesterol

JIANG XUE ZHI WAN (1st choice)
REISHI MUSHROOM / LING CHIH (also LING ZHI) (2nd Choice)
PANTA TEA PILLS / JIAO GU LAN (also 1st choice


AVAILABLE AT:


Jiang Xue Zhi Wan
http://store.orientalpharmacy.com/hafrcoteaexj.html




Mai Wei Di Huang
Er Ming Zuo Ci Wan
Jiao Gu Lan
http://chinamedicinemall.com/


I am excited about what I do because I never thought I could regain so much health. To all you diabetics who might still be suffering, I urge you to try something, but don't do it half way, you must change it all or nothing.

To all of you who are excited about your changes and acocomplishments as I am, please post here.... I wish everyone good health and I hope each of you finds the proper motivation as I did.

The choice is simple, right? Do I want good health or do I want to use medications all of my life, eat what I want and live a lesser life than what I was destined to live? Changing to this lifestyle was never one of sacrifice for me, it was one of gaining freedom from the imprisoned life I feel I had before. Mindset is everything, I suppose...

good luck... to all...................!!!!

Cajunboy47

[LoveMyGSDs]

Wow, that's a really amazing turn around in your health!! Congrats!!

I'm a reactive hypoglycemic due to insulin intolerance. I've not had a single episode stemming from my hypoglycemia in over 6 years. My cholesterol went from boarderline needing meds, to quite healthy. I generally feel SO much better as well!

[NorthPeace]

Congrats Cajunboy!

Early this year I was diagnosed with hypertension and Type 2 diabetes. By only changing my eating habits (no meds, low exercise) I have:

Had the weight change that you see in my profile, losing 2-3 lbs per week
Lost 3 belt notches
Total cholesterol is from 186 down to 151
LDL is down from 122 to 102
HDL is unchanged at 36
TG is cut by more than half
FG is from 128 to 101
GTT was originally 239, not retested
First (recent) A1c is 6.2% and will likely drop
Doc cancelled plans to prescribe cholesterol medication
From cannot stand up for 3 min without pain and swimming 400 m to slow motion (carefully!) kickboxing and swimming 1000 m
From eating junk daily to no cravings, seldom single servings socially

but:
Still addicted to caffeine
BP is from about 142/90 to 138/88.
I still get spontaneous cuts (peripheral CVD?) on my fingers, usually two open at any one time.
Doc started me on metformin and BP medication

My diet meets DASH requirements but I still have high BP. Recently I stepped up my workouts - a good one at least every second day, and at least a 15 minute walk on the other days.

[Avalo2]

"I still get spontaneous cuts (peripheral CVD?) on my fingers, usually two open at any one time."

I used to get similar cuts on my hands. Then i found out i was allergic to latex. I stopped using latex gloves and eventualy liquid soap that comes in bottles with latex (I think). I no longer get spontaneous cuts on my hands.

[Cajunboy47]

Posted by Northpeace:

[/QUOTE]Doc started me on metformin and BP medication[QUOTE]


Sorry to hear you're still drug dependent. It means you haven't resolved some issue yet. Your body wants to heal itself. I don't think the Doc would have put you on the meds if it were a latex reaction, although that may be happening also.

Increased blood flow throughout your body is very important if we're diabetic. Also replenishing our overworked organs, such as; liver, pancreas and kidneys.... My next complete blood work won't be till August, but I'm shooting for great numbers.

Don't give up! Suggestion: while on those meds, search for natural stuff that will help your body heal itself. In my humble opinion, those meds will only lead to getting you on more meds again later with even further complications.... good luck!

Cajunboy47

[Vivid Lily]

Hi Cajunboy47 - Good work looking after your own health and figuring out what the right path is for you. I too have been trying to get off meds. I feel worse taking insulin - I have a little high BP and my doctor keeps pushing meds. I've tried many different ones over the years but I only need to take 1 or 2 and I know I can 't take this crap - chest pains and my pressure goes higher not lower. So for over 2 years now I haven't taken anything except insulin - Nph and night and morning only 4 units each and Novo rapid with meals. I like all the natural things your on. Have you tried Raw Food Eating - mostly just veggies,little fruit and seeds meat fish etc. It's helping me. I stopped taking vitamins - didn't see any help with numbers. bye for now Vivid Lily (Suzy)

[dancinbr]

Congratulations on your progress.

You do take quite a bit of "natural" products and you have achieved a better life.

This is good as you can tell by your results.

But, as with drugs, often there are side effects (short and long term) of natural herbal products. To what extent have you researched these products?

How do you know that one of the supplements you are taking may end up having an adverse effect?

Are you consulting with a homeopathic expert? Did you do all this on your own?

Yes, I have avoided natural supplements since there have been many nightmares out there as well.

I am on Januvia and Metformin. I have my diabetes under control now. I am averaging around 100 and going lower, my weight is dropping nicely and I still get a mild dawn effect around 120.

I take blood pressure pills as well. I hope as time goes on my med needs will be reduced as well; especially as I drop more and more weight. I weigh now 274 was 298 at beginning of this year when I was diagnosed T2.

Thanks.

Ralph :yum:

[Avalo2]

[QUOTE=NorthPeace]
I still get spontaneous cuts (peripheral CVD?) on my fingers, usually two open at any one time.
Doc started me on metformin and BP medication[QUOTE]

Quote from Cajunboy47, "I don't think the Doc would have put you on the meds if it were a latex reaction, although that may be happening also."

I'm curious about the thoughts behind these two quotes. First, North Peace do you think that Cardiovascular Disease is related to spontaneous cuts on your fingers? Secondly, as metformin is to lower blood sugar and BP medication lowers BP (both of which NorthPeace has IMHO), Cajunboy47 do you think that spontaneous cuts are dues to high blood sugar and/or pressure?

[Cajunboy47]

But, as with drugs, often there are side effects (short and long term) of natural herbal products. To what extent have you researched these products?

How do you know that one of the supplements you are taking may end up having an adverse effect?

Are you consulting with a homeopathic expert? Did you do all this on your own?

#1
I've researched all that I am taking, just short of getting a medial degree.... :) Actually, I have been building it up slowly over time, researched over 2 years on everything but the chinese herbs. Checked and double checked till I felt as comfortable about the committment as I could get. You have to reach a point, no matter how much you think you know or don't know, that you have to make a decision based on faith. One thing is for sure, we're all going to die of something. I chose to educate myself, made changes and monitored my results, adjusted my changes until I had my numbers all going in the right direction. Our bodies are not all that complicated. We just need to listen and pay attention to ourselves. I think that 90% or more of T-2 diabetics could basically cure themselves if they became serious enough and believed that it is totally possible to do. I also believe that 90% could basically cure themselves in 24 to 48 hours...... It all depends on the progression of the disease and your overall physical conditon and your attitude to make a serious committment to live with it and not die from it. Lose the fear, that was my starting point! And, cure to me, means keeping the BG #s' under 120 at all times without any meds. Go over 120 one time and you start all over trying to cure yourself again.......

#2
I don't know if one of my supplements will end up having an adverse effect. I do know that the meds I was on had adverse effects, I was dying! Now, I'm living, for a while anyway.... If I am doing something for myself now and it is working, why should I cause myself worry about if it might stop in the future??? Life doesn't offer guarantees, right? Now, about all of my supplements... I have a very strong belief, based on a book I read, that once I lose my weight and continue eating the way I eat now, I can stop taking all supplements as I should be able to get enough nutrition just from the foods I eat. I don't know when that day will arrive, but when I think it has, I will cut out the supplements and keep monitoring myself and make adjustments if necessary.

#3
I did a lot of research on my own. I have had a Chinese Doctor friend who has helped me considerably, especially with the Chinese herbal medicines. With my understanding, the theory of prescription medications (tradional medicines endorsed by the AMA, ADA, etc...) is your body needs something removed, so the meds are designed for that. The theory of herbal medicines is your body has something missing and it puts back into your body what is missing. Example: herbs can help replenish organ functions (liver, pancreas, kidneys, etc...). You can reach a point with herbal medicine that you no longer require it, whereas prescription medications require you to keep taking them or your condition returns. But, the greater evil is, just about every prescription medication is going to create a complication at some point, whereby more medications will be needed, not less. It was a nightmare for me. If other folks are happy with it, that is fine with me. I am just expressing one person's opinion based on one person's experiences. I offer no difinitive proof of anything. Live and learn through trial and error. I have a lot less erros now than before, so I am satisfied for now.....

[Cajunboy47]

Posted by: Avalo2
Cajunboy47 do you think that spontaneous cuts are dues to high blood sugar and/or pressure?


I don't know if "spontaneous cuts" is a medical term or not. I have no idea what your spontaneous cuts were/are caused from. If you stopped using latex gloves and the problem went away, I guess you have your answer. If NorthPeace started on medications for diabetes and high blood pressure and that stopped the spontaneous cuts, than there's another answer. My guess is that there are multiple reasons and multiple solutions for "spontaneous cuts"... I know my Doctors sure caution me a lot to try and avoid cuts. Luckily, I still heal fairly well. I hope your cut problems are resolved or will be soon... good luck...

[NorthPeace]

They are not really cuts, they were not opened by something sharp. The skin on my fingers just opens up for no apparent reason in a lesion about 1/4 inch long. ATM I have one that has been around for a week, and no new ones forming. I doubt it is related to latex or soap. It has been going on for years, and I have not had any particular brand loyalty to soap or dw detergent.

I googled peripheral cardiovascular disease and got nowhere. There is a symptom of diabetes called peripheral vascular disease that can lead to lost of limbs. And I have read about slow healing with diabetes and excess visceral fat, but perhaps I was jumping to conclusions. Also, having a lesion back means maybe I was overoptomistic about the metformin helping.

[Cajunboy47]

Posted by NorthPeace:
The skin on my fingers just opens up for no apparent reason in a lesion about 1/4 inch long.

How is your blood sugar? Do you have signs of diabetic neuropathy? Numbness, pain.... Usually, if you encounter diabetic neuropathy, your feet will feel it before your hands and if you have it in both, your feet will usually feel worse.

I am not an expert on diabetes, but I did battle with neuropathy which had my feet so bad I could barely walk and my hands so bad I could not hold a pen in my hand long enough to sign my own name. I have completely reversed the symptoms. See the first post. A combination of the vitamins, acids and minerals is what turned it around for me plus my change in diet. Diabetic neuropathy of the limbs is reversible!!

This is just a hunch, but increased blood flow to the outer extremities might help reduce the cuts/tears in the skin of your fingers.... See the above..... My hands used to look palish white leaning to gray, and my feet had a palish/yellowish gray look... now everything is rosy pink.....

[NorthPeace]

This week average BS before breakfast was 94, before bed was 101. The FBG that started me on this path to wellness was 128. BTW, I hit 209 lbs today. The last time I was at that weight was in 1993, I believe.

There is no neuropathy.

I copied your list of supplements to my fitday journal. I will take a look at it later. I supplement B vitamins and D, and get a lot of A and C from diet. I have tisane with cinnamon in it once or twice daily, 1.5 tbsp ground flax seed and some tree nuts daily; oily fish about twice a week.

My doctor is now talking about putting me on Lipitor, which is a statin, so I should really look into the CoQ10.

There is more blood flow in my hands in the evening these days, I think it is the result mainly of early evening cardiovascular workouts. BTW I generally have a decent tan, a side effect of living near a desert. I never had grayish skin.

[dancinbr]

#1
I've researched all that I am taking, just short of getting a medial degree.... :) Actually, I have been building it up slowly over time, researched over 2 years on everything but the chinese herbs. Checked and double checked till I felt as comfortable about the committment as I could get. You have to reach a point, no matter how much you think you know or don't know, that you have to make a decision based on faith. One thing is for sure, we're all going to die of something. I chose to educate myself, made changes and monitored my results, adjusted my changes until I had my numbers all going in the right direction. Our bodies are not all that complicated. We just need to listen and pay attention to ourselves. I think that 90% or more of T-2 diabetics could basically cure themselves if they became serious enough and believed that it is totally possible to do. I also believe that 90% could basically cure themselves in 24 to 48 hours...... It all depends on the progression of the disease and your overall physical conditon and your attitude to make a serious committment to live with it and not die from it. Lose the fear, that was my starting point! And, cure to me, means keeping the BG #s' under 120 at all times without any meds. Go over 120 one time and you start all over trying to cure yourself again.......

#2
I don't know if one of my supplements will end up having an adverse effect. I do know that the meds I was on had adverse effects, I was dying! Now, I'm living, for a while anyway.... If I am doing something for myself now and it is working, why should I cause myself worry about if it might stop in the future??? Life doesn't offer guarantees, right? Now, about all of my supplements... I have a very strong belief, based on a book I read, that once I lose my weight and continue eating the way I eat now, I can stop taking all supplements as I should be able to get enough nutrition just from the foods I eat. I don't know when that day will arrive, but when I think it has, I will cut out the supplements and keep monitoring myself and make adjustments if necessary.

#3
I did a lot of research on my own. I have had a Chinese Doctor friend who has helped me considerably, especially with the Chinese herbal medicines. With my understanding, the theory of prescription medications (tradional medicines endorsed by the AMA, ADA, etc...) is your body needs something removed, so the meds are designed for that. The theory of herbal medicines is your body has something missing and it puts back into your body what is missing. Example: herbs can help replenish organ functions (liver, pancreas, kidneys, etc...). You can reach a point with herbal medicine that you no longer require it, whereas prescription medications require you to keep taking them or your condition returns. But, the greater evil is, just about every prescription medication is going to create a complication at some point, whereby more medications will be needed, not less. It was a nightmare for me. If other folks are happy with it, that is fine with me. I am just expressing one person's opinion based on one person's experiences. I offer no difinitive proof of anything. Live and learn through trial and error. I have a lot less erros now than before, so I am satisfied for now.....

Thanks for your insights.

I am recently diagnosed T2 and I do gain information by speaking to folks like you and others who have been battling this disease for years if not decades.
So, please don't take offense to my questioning. I am probing and searching for the answers and approaches as well and I hope to learn from others.

I have read Dr. Bernsteins' book and I am thinking of becoming a patient directly since I live within 50 miles of his office, but his fee is hefty and right now we are dealing at home with some major medical bills from my wife. That will pass.

The diet I follow is the same as your approach. I don't go quite extreme as Dr. Bernstein suggests yet the 6-12-12 carb approach. I am close. Most often my carbs are between 30-60 grams, which corresponds very closely to your numbers that you presented.

Exercise I do and I try to do it daily. I do plenty of walking. I have weight trained in the past two to three years but not a lot lately. I am morbidly obese, but aerobically in shape and strong; go figure. I have the huge belly, which I am reducing once again. This time I really have no choice. I believe the major key to solving most of my woes is to simply get the weight off. I was 297 on January 1, 2007. I am 6 foot tall and large frame. Today I am 274 and dropping comfortably and feeling better already. I intend to get down to 200-210 and then decide from there and see how the results have changed. I don't have a cholesterol problem, but that will get even better. I do have high blood pressure and I am convinced that is all about weight. The diabetes is simply from decades of carbohydrate abuse.

So, we match closely on diet and exercise. Now for your supplements. Is there a way you eased into this regimen? Or do you recommend simply taking a dive and starting it all at once?

I have considered finding a homeopathic doctor as well. If I am going to do something like this, which is appealing, I want some expertise by my side as well; albeit I appreciate the fact that you have researched extensively.

Virtually, all my progress has come from folks on the low carb forum here as well as the bernsteing forums.

I am averaging around 100 on blood sugars and my dawn effect is between 100-120 and I rarely go above 120 except when I knowingly decide to treat/abuse myself with a fruit or ice cream or something but in low quantity. I keep the bs below 150 even in these circumstances.

I see your "safe" number is 120. I see many believe that and then I struggle with the Dr. Bernstein number of safe being "100" or less with a target of mid 80s for T2's and 90 for T1's.

I have also gone for extensive medical exams and eye exams and fortunately to date I have no physical symptoms/damage as a result of my T2 diabetes.

I am thankful for post such as yours and others on this forum.

Ralph :thup:

[Cajunboy47]

posted by NorthPeace:
BTW I generally have a decent tan, a side effect of living near a desert.

If only your abrasions could be explained by your dry climate:)

Based on what I've learned. I would drop the flaxseed and just take fish oil capsules w/omega 3.... I truly believe a lot of age related problems are caused by "syndrome X", which is an inflammation of the circulatory system. I am not an expert and I am just telling you my experience. I was taking flaxseed oil capsules, 1,000 mg twice daily. I read that it can cause inflammation, switched to fish oil and I feel a whole lot better in my overall health. There is a book about syndrome X. I never read it, but researched a lot of about it on the internet. Also, for long term thinking, reading the book "Eat Fat, Get Thin" helped me realize that anything I take now is to help me reach the point where I will not need anything. This is not specifically mentioned in the book, but it is a common sense conclusion I reached after reading the book.

I would cut back on the nuts. I love nuts, limit myself to Walnuts, almonds and cashews. I buy small amounts of one at a time about every 2 weeks or so. My weakness is to eat the whole thing at one sitting and too many calories in it, messes up my diet plan and not worth it to me when comparing my overall goals to any benefit gained from the nuts on a regular basis.

I'd stay off the lipitor if it is possible. The herbs above definitely have lowered my blood pressure and lowered my cholesterol in a very short time. CoQ-10 is good, but not enough on its own to produce desirable effects.

Is your blood sugar controlled by medication? Your numbers aren't bad, but if it is with medication, you probably have a terrific shot at eliminating the meds by making some adustments.

By the way, I lived for a year in the Mojave Desert, a long time ago..... :)

Congratualations on your weight loss. If you're into walking, don't walk on an empty stomach and time your walking to about an hour after eating ... results: steadier glucose levels, which equals higher motabolism. I read that about the walking and tried it and it worked for me, just passing it along, so if you do try it, good luck.....

Also, three things: These are my very laymen thoughts....

1) I see diabetes as a symptom of the Inflammation of our Circulatory system

2) Diabetes is definitely related to a deficiency in our ability to motabolize carbohydrates.

3) Our internal organs can be revitalized to function better if we give them the proper nourishment, resulting in improved health.

[pauleo]

About self-help - I read that psyllium husks reduce BG (and cholesterol). I did a quick google and found a study that showed fairly significant improvement in BG due to psyllium (although I did not investigate to see if it was funded by the 'National Psyllium Board'...). Anyway I'm planning to try it.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10500014&dopt=Abstract

[Cajunboy47]

Posted by Dancinbr:
[QUOTE]Is there a way you eased into this regimen? Or do you recommend simply taking a dive and starting it all at once?

I see your "safe" number is 120. I see many believe that and then I struggle with the Dr. Bernstein number of safe being "100" or less with a target of mid 80s for T2's and 90 for T1's.

I rarely go above 120 except when I knowingly decide to treat/abuse myself with a fruit or ice cream or something but in low quantity.[QUOTE]

Because I could not absorb all the information about all the things I do take now and in the quantities I do take them, I did ease into it. Some, I actually cut down on, such as vitamin E and CoQ-10 after I learned more about them. Vitamin C, basically citric acid, right? Well, if you start off at the mega-doses I take, you'll probably get indigestion.

------------------------------------------------
By the way, in my list above, sometimes you'll see one "x" and sometimes "x x" Each "x" represents a dosage. When I posted, it didn't come out the way I wrote it... For example: Vitamin C has "x x" which means I take 3,000 mg twice daily. Next month, I am increasing it to 4,000 mg twice daily and that will be my last planned increase.
-----------------------------------------------

I think Bernstein is correct. I don't think of his numbers as being the safe place to be. It is where I'll be when I obtain optimal health. I see my numbers lowering all the time, no dawn phenomena, steadier all the time, less spikes after meals. I am comfortable with my present numbers, but realize I don' t have to accept this level as having achieved a goal. I just see myself as out of a known "danger zone" on the high end. I don't know if anybody really knows what is optiimal on the low end. There are varying opinions, not enough evidence to satisfy me. I believe in the things that I do as being natural and I believe it will eventually give me a natural result.

Yep, it is easy to justify eating what we know we shouldn't with the two words "low quantity". I've done it from time to time, but I know not to make a habit or routine of it. If the frequency is more than once or twice a month, I would call it a habit/routine and consider stopping it all together if I can can't control that behavior. I wish I could say "never again" to such foods, but rather than making a demon of it, I accept that it is in the category of "No Nos'" for habit/routine and treat it accordingly......

As for exercise, too much is as bad as not enough. I don't like to weight lift, so I don't. I don't have an opinion on how much better I could be if I had more muscles. I did go to China and it seems their philosophy on exercise is: "aerobic and limbeing". I tend to believe I should embrace that idea over strength building exercise.

I lost weight and it did not lower my blood pressure. I was steadily at a high of 140/85 and low of 135/80 with a pulse rate of 90-100... This was for several years that way and I accepted it as normal till the Doctors told me I better get a grip on it. With the herbs I listed above, which I started on about 3 months ago and no weight loss in the last month, my blood pressure this morning was 118/70 and pulse was 78. Those numbers have been steadily been coming down since I started on the Er ming zuo ci wan.

Good luck to you Ralph! Sounds like you're taking control more and more each day, that's the right attitude to have. Now, if you discover little things from experimenting, make sure you let me know. I want to learn from the experience of others as well as my own...

Ron

[Cajunboy47]

Posted by Pauleo:

About self-help - I read that psyllium husks reduce BG (and cholesterol). I did a quick google and found a study that showed fairly significant improvement in BG due to psyllium (although I did not investigate to see if it was funded by the 'National Psyllium Board'...). Anyway I'm planning to try it.


I read that:

"Psyllium may decrease the absorption of such minerals as zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium if used concomitantly."

Sounds like a serious side affect to me.... Just that alone will stop me from trying it. Good luck and let me know your results later....

[pauleo]

Thanks for the heads up,
Paul.


Posted by Pauleo:




I read that:

"Psyllium may decrease the absorption of such minerals as zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium if used concomitantly."

Sounds like a serious side affect to me.... Just that alone will stop me from trying it. Good luck and let me know your results later....

[NorthPeace]

Based on what I've learned. I would drop the flaxseed and just take fish oil capsules w/omega 3.... I truly believe a lot of age related problems are caused by "syndrome X", which is an inflammation of the circulatory system. I am not an expert and I am just telling you my experience. I was taking flaxseed oil capsules, 1,000 mg twice daily. I read that it can cause inflammation, switched to fish oil and I feel a whole lot better in my overall health. There is a book about syndrome X. I never read it, but researched a lot of about it on the internet.
...
I'd stay off the lipitor if it is possible. The herbs above definitely have lowered my blood pressure and lowered my cholesterol in a very short time. CoQ-10 is good, but not enough on its own to produce desirable effects.
...
Is your blood sugar controlled by medication? Your numbers aren't bad, but if it is with medication, you probably have a terrific shot at eliminating the meds by making some adustments.

I did not realize DHA was and EFA. I will make sure to include more oily fish in my diet. BTW flax oil is a concentrated source of the EFA alpha linolenic acid and 2,000 mg is not really very much since it has been declining in our diet since the dawn of agriculture.

My doctor wants to get my LDL to 77 mg/dL. Diet and weight loss have resulted in lower total by 19%, LDL by 17%, triglycerides by 52%, and slightly higher HDL. That will continue to improve. The Lipitor will likely get my LDL very close to goal even without further weight loss. But the weight loss will continue so who knows...?

I take the lowest dose of metformin for blood sugar stabilization, half a pill twice daily. It is contraindicated if you have kidney or liver problems. That tells me that it places a load on these organs, so I am using my liver and kidneys to give my pancreas a break. Not an ideal situation. Hmm, I could cut the pill into quarters...

Basically when I reach or approach my goals for weight, LDL and FBG, I hope to come off meds.

[Lisa N]

I read that:

"Psyllium may decrease the absorption of such minerals as zinc, copper, iron, calcium and magnesium if used concomitantly."

Sounds like a serious side affect to me.... Just that alone will stop me from trying it. Good luck and let me know your results later....

If taken at the same time as (concomitantly), any fiber supplement can decrease the absorption of many vitamins and minerals. However, if you make sure that you take your fiber at least 2 hours before or after your vitamins, this solves the problem. :)

[pauleo]

Word of warning - flax oil is unstable. That's why it always comes in opaque bottles, and refrigeration is important, and why it's worth getting a good quality brand with hopefully a good extraction process. To try to circumvent this problem, I use flax seed. It needs to be ground, but I have a small Braun coffee grinder for the purpose that is quick to use and cleans up immediately. I put the ground seed in a glass of water and drink it down.

I did not realize DHA was and EFA. I will make sure to include more oily fish in my diet. BTW flax oil is a concentrated source of the EFA alpha linolenic acid and 2,000 mg is not really very much since it has been declining in our diet since the dawn of agriculture.

My doctor wants to get my LDL to 77 mg/dL. Diet and weight loss have resulted in lower total by 19%, LDL by 17%, triglycerides by 52%, and slightly higher HDL. That will continue to improve. The Lipitor will likely get my LDL very close to goal even without further weight loss. But the weight loss will continue so who knows...?

I take the lowest dose of metformin for blood sugar stabilization, half a pill twice daily. It is contraindicated if you have kidney or liver problems. That tells me that it places a load on these organs, so I am using my liver and kidneys to give my pancreas a break. Not an ideal situation. Hmm, I could cut the pill into quarters...

Basically when I reach or approach my goals for weight, LDL and FBG, I hope to come off meds.

[TX_Bayou]

coming from a New Orleanian, Spicy Ranch Dressing!

[LStump]

I was diagnosed with PCOS while I was on Atkins. My doctor commented that she noticed (on the chart) that I had lost weight and that was good for my PCOS. While there are no medications to really treat or get rid of it, birth control is recommended to regulate periods and keep other symptoms at bay. I gotta say, even though I take birth control and vitamins, none of my pills have anything to do with my weight. And that makes me happy. Who knows, if I never found out I had PCOS and found out that even though I was already following a low carb lifestyle, I needed to lose weight or I would get diabetes. I love this lifestyle... because I love steak. LOL

[dancinbr]

Posted by Dancinbr:
[QUOTE]Is there a way you eased into this regimen? Or do you recommend simply taking a dive and starting it all at once?

I see your "safe" number is 120. I see many believe that and then I struggle with the Dr. Bernstein number of safe being "100" or less with a target of mid 80s for T2's and 90 for T1's.

I rarely go above 120 except when I knowingly decide to treat/abuse myself with a fruit or ice cream or something but in low quantity.[QUOTE]

Because I could not absorb all the information about all the things I do take now and in the quantities I do take them, I did ease into it. Some, I actually cut down on, such as vitamin E and CoQ-10 after I learned more about them. Vitamin C, basically citric acid, right? Well, if you start off at the mega-doses I take, you'll probably get indigestion.

------------------------------------------------
By the way, in my list above, sometimes you'll see one "x" and sometimes "x x" Each "x" represents a dosage. When I posted, it didn't come out the way I wrote it... For example: Vitamin C has "x x" which means I take 3,000 mg twice daily. Next month, I am increasing it to 4,000 mg twice daily and that will be my last planned increase.
-----------------------------------------------

I think Bernstein is correct. I don't think of his numbers as being the safe place to be. It is where I'll be when I obtain optimal health. I see my numbers lowering all the time, no dawn phenomena, steadier all the time, less spikes after meals. I am comfortable with my present numbers, but realize I don' t have to accept this level as having achieved a goal. I just see myself as out of a known "danger zone" on the high end. I don't know if anybody really knows what is optiimal on the low end. There are varying opinions, not enough evidence to satisfy me. I believe in the things that I do as being natural and I believe it will eventually give me a natural result.

Yep, it is easy to justify eating what we know we shouldn't with the two words "low quantity". I've done it from time to time, but I know not to make a habit or routine of it. If the frequency is more than once or twice a month, I would call it a habit/routine and consider stopping it all together if I can can't control that behavior. I wish I could say "never again" to such foods, but rather than making a demon of it, I accept that it is in the category of "No Nos'" for habit/routine and treat it accordingly......

As for exercise, too much is as bad as not enough. I don't like to weight lift, so I don't. I don't have an opinion on how much better I could be if I had more muscles. I did go to China and it seems their philosophy on exercise is: "aerobic and limbeing". I tend to believe I should embrace that idea over strength building exercise.

I lost weight and it did not lower my blood pressure. I was steadily at a high of 140/85 and low of 135/80 with a pulse rate of 90-100... This was for several years that way and I accepted it as normal till the Doctors told me I better get a grip on it. With the herbs I listed above, which I started on about 3 months ago and no weight loss in the last month, my blood pressure this morning was 118/70 and pulse was 78. Those numbers have been steadily been coming down since I started on the Er ming zuo ci wan.

Good luck to you Ralph! Sounds like you're taking control more and more each day, that's the right attitude to have. Now, if you discover little things from experimenting, make sure you let me know. I want to learn from the experience of others as well as my own...

Ron

Thanks Cajunboy.

I will start to try a few herbs myself.

I do supplements as well, but not the ones you have tried.

Need to read up on them and begin to add to routine.

I also agree that aerobics is more important in the long run.

Building muscle helps metabolism since it is muscle that burns the calories. Being fit also helps to make you fell a whole lot better.

RAlph

[Cajunboy47]

Posted by Dancinbr:
I will start to try a few herbs myself.

I've heard so many people tell me about how taking herbs might conflict with other medications. My answer is, yes, that may be true. Also, herbs can conflict with taking other herbs. Also, medications can conflict with taking other medications.

I believe when we stop following a Doctor's advice as though we're puppets on a string, the only thing that separates us from the fool hearty is if we continually monitor and make adjustments till we find our own specific blend that works best for us.

I will give you an example: I was taking two herbs at one time, three times daily and the combination of the two made my blood sugar go up slightly on my daily averages. I eliminated the first one for a few days, monitored and noticed a decrease in my blood sugar. I then switched and took the second one for a few days withtout the first one and my blood sugar continued to stay low. I then started taking them both, but I rotate them. On day 1, take the first one morning and noon and the second one at night. On day 2, I take the second one morning and noon and the first one at night. I am either on day 1 or day 2 on any given day.

It is working out just fine now. Neither, by the way was for my blood sugar, but the combination did have an impact. So, monitor and make adjustments and only do what you feel comfortable with is a good rule to follow....

Ron

[dina1957]

Word of warning - flax oil is unstable. That's why it always comes in opaque bottles, and refrigeration is important, and why it's worth getting a good quality brand with hopefully a good extraction process. To try to circumvent this problem, I use flax seed. It needs to be ground, but I have a small Braun coffee grinder for the purpose that is quick to use and cleans up immediately. I put the ground seed in a glass of water and drink it down.
Any pure Omega-3 is unstable, so are flax seeds, much be kept in the fridge and ground right before use.
I found flax seeds make me constipated, and falx oil even fresh, has nasty aftertaste. I still think cold water fish is far superior to flax.

[pauleo]

Any pure Omega-3 is unstable, so are flax seeds, much be kept in the fridge and ground right before use.
I found flax seeds make me constipated, and falx oil even fresh, has nasty aftertaste. I still think cold water fish is far superior to flax.

Yep right thanks for the clarification. Still, the seeds are less unstable so there's less chance of rancidity. About fish versus flax seed, in fact fish is high in two particular types of Omega-3 - DHA and EPA - while flax seed provides ALA. That's a whole different large topic :)

[Cajunboy47]

Flax vs Fish oils....

ref: http://www.bellaonline.com/ArticlesP/art47487.asp

Sample of the posting at that website:

In a recent study, published in the peer-reviewed, highly respected American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists studied, in depth, all of the many valid studies done on omega 3 oils. They concluded that NONE of the benefits came from flax. So, what’s the bottom line on omega 3 research? The multitude of amazing health benefits all come from fish oil – not flax oil.

And what are those amazing omega 3 fish oil health benefits? Here’s a partial list: a reduced risk of both heart disease and stroke; less inflammation and pain from rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, colitis, psoriasis, PMS, injuries and gout; a lower risk of breast and prostrate cancer; prevention of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; better brain development; and a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Wow!