Dr. Bernstein,
It is with great pleasure that I write this letter to you. I would like to report to you the great success I have had with my Type II diabetes, due primarily to the advice found in your book.
Let me back up and explain. This past January I went in to the hospital for pre ops for minor surgery on my leg. My blood glucose at that time was 275. The day of surgery it was 277. Guess you could say I had a REAL problem.
I got on the Internet and looked for diabetic support groups, and found several good ones. There I kept hearing “The Bernstein Diet” time and time again. Then I found out about your book and bought it, and have read it twice.
In April, I finally talked my doctor into a physical. My Hemoglobin A1c was 6.1, and fasting serum Insulin was 10.7. Total cholesterol was 154, triglycerides were 91. All of the “lipid profile” numbers were very good. This was after 8-10 weeks on “low carbohydrates”.
In July, I had more blood work. Now A1c is 5.4 and fasting serum insulin is 6.3. WOW, lower glucose average, on LESS INSULIN. I think my insulin resistance got a lot lower! (very big grin) The lipid profile showed some variation, but nothing significant.
I have lost about 60 pounds (all body fat), from 250 to 187 now. I have calipers and measure body fat, which is now 17%. I have gained some muscle mass, so I can assume I was about 40% body fat in January. My waist size had dropped from 44 to 35.
How was this accomplished? With a dietary change and exercise.
1. I have averaged 1950 calories a day, 55% which has been FAT. (40% of fat saturated) Carbohydrates have averaged 37 grams a day, And the rest is protein. I try to maintain 1 gram per pound of muscle mass.
2. I ride a stationary bike (8.5 miles in 24 minutes, 2-3x week) and working out with weights (took your advice there!) 2-3x weekly.
Guess one could say I have had great success in this battle with diabetes, and to you, Dr. Bernstein, I give the credit. Your personal example is a supper testimony to the effectiveness of controlled glucose levels. And the fact that you are complication free with controlled glucose gave me the intense desire to maintain a tight level of control.
Do I plan on changing anything now? Not on your life (or mine!). I never dreamed I would be able to eat so little, and be satisfied. And the lipid profiles, they reveal no reason to change. ( I have made one change, I have found that eating an apple after my ride, and before my workout seems to “supercharge” my workout, and my glucose is unaffected by it. I also burn more energy in the ride/workout than gained by the apple anyway)
Thanks again for a wonderful book, and for leading the way.
PS: Other reading has been:
1. The Atkins Diet Revolution
2. Protein Power Life Style (Dr. Eades)
3. The Ketogenic Diet, by Lyle McDonald.
I am open for suggestions for more reading on this level, either on Diabetes, Human metabolism, or sports nutrition.
