It’s a sad situation when we have to ignore our doctors’ advice in order to stay healthy. (Tom Naughton)
Two years ago, I decided to chuck the advice of my then doctor, and go back on the low-carb diet I had been on for most of my 10 years as a diabetic, except for those 2 years between 2007 and 2009 when I apparently forgot I had diabetes. (Not really – I just started eating like I had been before the diagnosis.) At that time, my hemoglobin A1c was 11.5 (it had been 9.1 when I was diagnosed in 2002), triglycerides 590, blood pressure 160/100, and weight nearly 200 pounds.
In late 2010, the A1c had dropped to 7.2 (still above ADA goals, but better than 11.5), triglycerides to 118, blood pressure to 130/80, weight to 175. Three months later, with a hemoglobin A1c of 5.2, my doctor’s assessment was, “It’s like you don’t even have the disease.”
Now, as of March 2012, my last 3 A1c tests have been 5.2, 5.5, and 5.8 (well below ADA guidelines), triglycerides still in the low 100s, blood pressure still 130/80, and weight down to 160. Doctor’s words this time: “You’re the picture of health!” I’m glad she thinks so, but my guess is she would frown disapprovingly if she knew too many of the specifics of my diet, especially my liberal use of eggs and saturated fats, and my complete lack of “healthy whole grains.”
Got a call from the doctor’s office with my latest lab results yesterday, and the nurse said, “All of your lab values are stable (kidney function normal, electrolytes normal, lipid panel with HDL 62 and other values that look good, A1c 5.8, vitamin D level at 66.6, microalbumin normal). Watch the cholesterol in your diet.” Hello! Thanks for the tips, doc, but I’ll stick to your previous advice to keep doing what I’ve been doing.
Doctors whose advice I AM following:
Dr. John Briffa – http://www.drbriffa.com/blog/
Dr. Michael Eades – http://www.proteinpower.com/drmike/
Dr. William Davis – http://www.trackyourplaque.com/blog/ and http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/
Dr. Jay Wortman – http://www.drjaywortman.com/blog/wordpress/
Some regular guys and gals who are controlling their diabetes and other metabolic issues with a low-carb and/or paleo diet:
Props to Steve Cooksey who first planted the idea in my head that NORMAL blood sugars were possible and achievable – http://www.diabetes-warrior.net/
Jimmy Moore – http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/
Dana Carpender – http://holdthetoast.com/blog
Grace2882 – http://grace2882.wordpress.com/
Tom Naughton (not sure if he has diabetes or not, but same diet) – http://www.fathead-movie.com/ (Do yourself a favor and watch the movie on Netflix or iTunes, whichever you have access to.)
Favorite Low-Carb Recipe Sites:
Maria’s Nutritious and Delicious Journal – http://mariahealth.blogspot.com/
Jennifer Eloff – http://low-carb-news.blogspot.com/
Lisa Mac – http://www.sugarfreelowcarbrecipes.com/
Bill and Haley – http://beta.primal-palate.com/ (new site) and http://www.primal-palate.com/ (old site)
Amy – http://healthylowcarbliving.com/low-carb/running-the-numbers/
Lisa Motyok – http://247lowcarbdiner.blogspot.com/
Carolyn – http://www.alldayidreamaboutfood.com
Peggy – http://buttoni.wordpress.com/
Ginny – http://ginnyslowcarbkitchen.blogspot.com
Very happy with the diet – even more happy with the results. The biggest help so far in reaching normal or near-normal blood sugars (and cholesterol/triglycerides, and blood pressure, and dropping weight among others) is following Dr. William Davis’ suggestion to test one-hour post-meal blood sugars and eliminate those foods that raise it very much. I’m not yet to the point where I can avoid any elevation at one hour, but after 10 years with diabetes, I’m pretty stoked that it continues to get better rather than the dire prediction of my 2009 doctor that blood sugar control only gets harder, and next step is insulin. Thanks, but no thanks. But definitely thanks to all of the above people who have helped me along in my journey by sharing their own.



























