"Old Dogma" vs. "New Reality"--Bet You'll be Surprised

ShottleBop · 07-01-2011, 01:11

I just received a link to this column by Hope Warshaw: "Type 2 Diabetes: From Old Dogmas to New Realities - Part 2".

Excerpt:

Quote:

Old Dogma: People with type 2 diabetes should follow a low carbohydrate diet.

New Reality: Nutrition recommendations for people with type 2 diabetes from the American Diabetes Association and other health authorities echo the recently unveiled U.S. 2010 Dietary Guidelines (1/31/11) for carbohydrate: about 45 to 65 percent of calories. (Americans currently eat about 45 to 50 percent of calories as carbohydrate--not a "high carb" intake.)

Countless research studies do not show long term (greater than six months to a year) benefit of low carb diets on blood glucose, weight control, or blood fats. People with type 2 diabetes, like the general public, should lighten up on added sugars and sweets (yes, they're carbohydrate). They should eat sufficient amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low fat dairy foods--all healthy sources of carbohydrate.

Bottom line: The most important new reality for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes is: Take action as early as possible after diagnosis. Don't delay, don't deny. Get and keep your blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol into recommended target zones.

I have written to Steve Freed, who coordinates Dr. Bernstein's monthly teleseminars, asking that Dr. Bernstein respond to Hope's assertions on next month's call.

d33na · 07-01-2011, 01:56

wow that's this week...*head shaking* it's like saying use this petrol...its the wrong petrol BUT if it doesn't work BUY this additive and maybe after years of tweaking you'll be able to drive the car...I'm gob smacked

Shanny · 07-01-2011, 02:48

Is she for real?! Good grief! I hope she doesn't have much of a following - this is ridiculous.

fgummett · 07-01-2011, 07:14

Here is a clip of Hope Warshaw and Dr Bernstein on dLife some years back...


YouTube - ‪Dr. Bernstein debate on...

aaargh!

07-01-2011, 12:18

I don't think the view point is wrong... just different. We're not all the same afterall. I personally would do more what Hope says with my diet and I agree with healthy carb options and not the refined stuff. People have different opinions on how the human race got here and what they ate.... I don't agree with some of the scientific theories about that one either. What Hope says would be right for some and maybe not for others, same goes for Dr Bernstein and what he reckons.... it's up to the individual to discover what's right for their bodies.

d33na · 07-01-2011, 13:53

Oh I think it is very wrong...to blatantly say NOT to low carb from a doctor dealing with diabetics...I wonder how many of us would be alive? That attitude is
dangerous if not deadly to most diabetics...

The more we don't challenge these antiquated views the more we lose control of our own health and ultimately our survival...

I'd like to see the her "countless research studies"...seems to me to be the old "university tests show..."

We have real proof...we can see our blood glucose readings after we eat...I'm not saying we are all alike but we ALL need to lower our carb intake in comparison to the average persons diet...to report otherwise is tantamount to murder..

Shanny · 07-01-2011, 15:29

The single salient fact which can't be ignored is that ingestion of carbs raises blood glucose levels. That is THE primary characteristic of this disorder. Yes there are other lesser factors to keep balanced, but our metabolism is impaired in processing carbohydrates. The biggest hurdle people must accept is that their beloved carbs make them sick, even unto death. Why in heck would people promote eating more carbs when it just makes more work or more meds to get our levels back down again, so we won't lose our sight or our feet?

Shalynne · 07-01-2011, 16:29

If a fellow diabetic's found a plan that works for them, I've got their back.

If they choose not to follow a plan at all, and/or they're content with levels that horrify me, I leave 'em the heck alone -- we can still talk movies or books or whatever, instead. (PLEASE NOTE: Forum regulars don't fall into this category.)

However, if a diabetic asks for advice, I'll give what I can. If someone's spiking and they don't like it, I'll point out the probable food culprits. If they're totally new and floundering, I'll encourage 'em to start with low-carb ... and, more important, to Eat To Their Meter.

In many areas, such as pumping or childhood diabetes, all I can offer is moral support. (Most of the time, I have sense enough to know that.)

BUT ... when professionals hold back vital information, display an inappropriate lack of interest and/or actively discourage us from finding our healthiest path ... that's when I get more than a tad ornery.

HardBackStrider · 07-01-2011, 17:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shalynne

If a fellow diabetic's found a plan that works for them, I've got their back.

If they choose not to follow a plan at all, and/or they're content with levels that horrify me, I leave 'em the heck alone -- we can still talk movies or books or whatever, instead. (PLEASE NOTE: Forum regulars don't fall into this category.)

However, if a diabetic asks for advice, I'll give what I can. If someone's spiking and they don't like it, I'll point out the probable food culprits. If they're totally new and floundering, I'll encourage 'em to start with low-carb ... and, more important, to Eat To Their Meter.

In many areas, such as pumping or childhood diabetes, all I can offer is moral support. (Most of the time, I have sense enough to know that.)

BUT ... when professionals hold back vital information, display an inappropriate lack of interest and/or actively discourage us from finding our healthiest path ... that's when I get more than a tad ornery.

Not sure I know enough to comment but all I know is its a fight to reduce my beloved carbs. So one side of me welcomes the idea of good carbs hmmm but reality tells me not a good idea.

fgummett · 07-01-2011, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardBackStrider

Not sure I know enough to comment but all I know is its a fight to reduce my beloved carbs. So one side of me welcomes the idea of good carbs hmmm but reality tells me not a good idea.

For me it was case of the less I ate them the less I craved them and it has just continued to get less and less; such that now I have no interest in them anymore... I still enjoy green leafy veg and a few berries, nuts and the like but not so much for any carb content: more to do with them being real whole foods.

Not everyone endorses the following approach -- although Dr Bernstein does and Dr Atkins did -- but what worked best for me when I first started low-carb was to try and cut them all out... anything that listed more than 1g carbs per serving was out; for at least the first few weeks. The you can gradually reintroduce them, testing your BG as you go to see what you can tolerate. I am convinced that at least for me this worked to break any addiction to carbs and also helped my body remember how to use fat as an energy source.

Some complain of feeling weak and out of sorts during this "induction phase" -- commonly referred to as "induction flu". This did not happen to me, perhaps because I dd not allow myself to feel deprived or go hungry... I just ate "safe foods" until I was satisfied.

Some even hold this up as a rationale not to even try the low-carb approach... I wonder what these same folks would say about trying the grapefruit or cabbage soup diet for example? I can't imagine feeling so great on either of those diets!