Reduced Carbs and Other Questions Of Interest

[Meme2]

Anyone on a reduced carb way of eating? What are your daily average numbers for blood glucose levels? How long have you been T2? What have been your experiences and what tests do you have done every 3 months? Do you take statins?
What was your last A1c? Do you believe you can reduce your meds or get off of them entirely to become non-diabetic again?

I am just curious about how all of the rest of you manage your blood sugar control, your hopes for your future health and your beliefs.

Thanks for your input.
Cheers and Merry Christmas to all!!
Meme

[Schlep]

Here is my story and how I have done on low carb.

http://www.diabetesforums.com/forum/type-2/24205-uncle-diabetes-wins.html

[Meme2]

Sounds great, Schiep!! My A1c started at 9.3 (July, 2007) and is at 4.6 (Nov, 2007). That is strictly low-carbing. I love it!!

[mho357]

Hi Meme,

I try to keep my carb intake below 200 g per day. I don't go to extremes. For the most part, this works well for me (last a1c=5.4).

Mark

[Meme2]

Wow, Mark that's wonderful. I love bread and was missing it a lot until I found Aunt Hattie's Low Carb bread. It's not like Atkins and as a matter of fact if I don't have a couple slices of it daily, my BG goes up somewhat. It's only 5G per slice and fits nicely into my 6-12-12 carb regimine. I also love vegies and nuts as well as meat and fish. So I am fine with the low carb WOE. But it is great to hear someone who can eat more carbs and still have a great A1c!!
Thanks for sharing your information!!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!!!
Meme

[xMenace]

Meme, you are asking a year's worth of questions at once! Lots of low carbers here, and that's a good thing. But remember there are limits. You do need some carbs to function. Sooner or later it may not be enough. Meds aren't bad.

[Lloyd]

My numbers and results are in my sig file.

[soso]

I think as long as you feel healthy and happy and satisfied with low carb, go for it! I have done the 6-12-12 for a couple of years and now do 60-90g per day except for feast days...
I do not think you can become non-diabetic, but you can keep your bg near normal and hopefully keep yourself as sensitive to insulin as possible.. giving your pancreas a break from over production and glucose toxicity also allows it to recover its storage capacity... so it's win win situation...
I don't take statins, nor would I unless I had very very high cholesterol—I certainly don't believe in taking it as a precaution as my Dr would like...
I believe you can get off meds sometimes

[Meme2]

Hey Lloyd and Soso, Thanks for all your responses. I really do appreciate them. I am with you, Soso regarding the statins. I am still studying it and trying to figure out what tests to ask for next time. Have you heard of DeWayne McCulley? He wrote the book, Death to Diabetes. I think he has a point. I am in what he calls phase 2 or 3 but I haven't gotten the "super meal" down pat yet nor have I done the "cleansings". I am luxuriating in being in control and weill begin the stuff he suggests in earnest after the first of the year. My husband just left for a year in Iraq and I am just getting used to and prepared for some major changes in the household and then I'll settle down and do the eating and exercise changes he suggests.

Lloyd, it sure sounds complicated with your insulin. I wouldn't know what to do with the kind your using but having the pump probably helps eliminate the confusion and allows for an easier life and one without needles. Looks like you have your control well in hand. I've only had three A1cs done so I don't have as many to report as you do. But I am hoping to keep it where it is; control is a daily effort too regardless of what I eat. Sometimes it's easy sometimes not so easy. I react to the same foods differently from time to time. Guess my insulin sensitivity changes.

Thanks to xMenace for your advice. I have noticed that if I do not have some type of high fiber BG can rise. I do not eat potatoes and that makes me sad because I love them (I'm Polish and love Pierogies!!) but I will get by and I am hoping to increase my insulin sensitivity with weight loss. Up to now I have lost 40 lbs - have more to go. It's slow going and I guess that's because of the fact I have to take Lantus at night. I just reduced that 2 units/night and am going to reduce it somemore if my BG continues to go lower as it did before my reduction.

Well, Merry Christmas!!
Meme

[Handybear]

I am a Dr. Bernstein follower and I eat very low carb.

I have been type two for just over a year. I was taking actos and metformin, but at my last Doctor visit I was told I could stop taking the actos!

I have a full blood panel done ever three months and a kidney and liver test every 6 months.

I will never be "non diabetic", but I will manage my diabetes and the Doctor says I may be drug free in another six months if I keep up the good work.

My current 14 day bg is 91.

[Meme2]

Wonderful!! Handybear!! Keep up the good work!! I'll try to follow your lead. Also do you know why the doctor said you could stop taking Actos? I am taking it and metaformin and Lantus at night. It's great to have control but I would like to be able to maintain control w/o meds and w/o insulin. I was thinking it might be best to try to get off the insulin first and then reduce the Actos and then the metaformin in that order.

Merry Christmas!
Meme

[BlueSky]

Anyone on a reduced carb way of eating? What are your daily average numbers for blood glucose levels? How long have you been T2? What have been your experiences and what tests do you have done every 3 months? Do you take statins?
What was your last A1c? ....
I eat 60-80 carbs a day and get about 65% of calories from fat. I have been a T1 for 30 years and reduced carbs to improve control 4 years ago. I wanted to get the HBA1c down from 8.6% to <6.5%, I wanted recently diagnosed background retinopathy to go away, and most importantly, I wanted to stop the seizures that were caused by severe and unpredictable lows. I have been successful in that the last HBA1c was 6.3%, reduced insulin dosages stopped the seizures (haven't had one in 4 years), and the retinopathy has not progressed.

My main concern was about what eating like this would do to cholesterol. So I had it measured before I started and every 3 months for the next 3 years. While the cholesterol varied somewhat during that period, what I was eating did not seem to make much difference. An increase in LDL during 2005 corresponded with a very stressful business failure, and it dropped down to ealier levels when the crisis was over. So I don't worry about cholesterol anymore and only have it tested twice a year.

You need to ask for a full lipid profile, which involves measuring total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It is also helpful to get an analysis of the LDL particle size at baseline (e.g. the VAP test). Eating low carb typically reduces triglycerides and increases HDL, both of which are desirable. Most doctors are concerned that eating this way will increase LDL. But most people who actually try it out find that high fat eating doesn't have much of an effect. This certainly was my experience.

The levels we are told we should aspire to, as diabetics are, IMHO, too low. I really can't see how having below-normal cholesterol can be good for anyone. I have told my doctors that I am not interested in taking a statin because they do more harm than good. My last cholesterol numbers were TC 255, HDL 81, LDL 152, Triglycerides 110.

To me, it is a no brainer. Reducing carbs makes managing blood sugar a lot easier. The older we get the greater this effect becomes. Essentially, it is because we all become inceasingly insulin resistant as we age. And eating lots of carbs accelerates this process. The less carb you eat, the better your long-term prognosis becomes, and this applies to both T1 and T2 diabetics. I am aware that this notion is not embraced by mainstream medical wisdom. And I probably wouldn't believe it if I hadn't observed it in myself. ;)

[Handybear]

The doctor said that I didn't need the Actos since my lifestyle (exercise and diet) seem to be controlling the diabetes. He thinks as long as I continue my way of eating and exercise I will eventually be off the metformin as well. He mentioned that most athletes who are type 2 never need any extra medication to control their diabetes. He said my progress is leading me toward that goal. I owe it all to hard work and Dr. Bernstein's program.

[Meme2]

I eat 60-80 carbs a day and get about 65% of calories from fat. I have been a T1 for 30 years and reduced carbs to improve control 4 years ago. I wanted to get the HBA1c down from 8.6% to <6.5%, I wanted recently diagnosed background retinopathy to go away, and most importantly, I wanted to stop the seizures that were caused by severe and unpredictable lows. I have been successful in that the last HBA1c was 6.3%, reduced insulin dosages stopped the seizures (haven't had one in 4 years), and the retinopathy has not progressed.

My main concern was about what eating like this would do to cholesterol. So I had it measured before I started and every 3 months for the next 3 years. While the cholesterol varied somewhat during that period, what I was eating did not seem to make much difference. An increase in LDL during 2005 corresponded with a very stressful business failure, and it dropped down to ealier levels when the crisis was over. So I don't worry about cholesterol anymore and only have it tested twice a year.

You need to ask for a full lipid profile, which involves measuring total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It is also helpful to get an analysis of the LDL particle size at baseline (e.g. the VAP test). Eating low carb typically reduces triglycerides and increases HDL, both of which are desirable. Most doctors are concerned that eating this way will increase LDL. But most people who actually try it out find that high fat eating doesn't have much of an effect. This certainly was my experience.

The levels we are told we should aspire to, as diabetics are, IMHO, too low. I really can't see how having below-normal cholesterol can be good for anyone. I have told my doctors that I am not interested in taking a statin because they do more harm than good. My last cholesterol numbers were TC 255, HDL 81, LDL 152, Triglycerides 110.

To me, it is a no brainer. Reducing carbs makes managing blood sugar a lot easier. The older we get the greater this effect becomes. Essentially, it is because we all become inceasingly insulin resistant as we age. And eating lots of carbs accelerates this process. The less carb you eat, the better your long-term prognosis becomes, and this applies to both T1 and T2 diabetics. I am aware that this notion is not embraced by mainstream medical wisdom. And I probably wouldn't believe it if I hadn't observed it in myself. ;)

Thanks Bluesky!!
Your numbers are wonderful!! Congratulations!!!
I believe as you do. But I must tell you, you have really helped open up my eyes by giving actual numbers to the situation. I can say that even though I went off the statin in August and all the numbers increased, so did the HDL so I was encouraged by that alone. I do believe that having the full lipid profile is something I will be asking for the next testing time especially the VAP test - I have just been reading about that lately.
I too eat low carb and believe it has been the reason for my regaining control of my BG so soon after Dx. I will continue this WOE.
May you have a wonderful holiday season and a joyous new year!!