Testimonials

See how Dr. Bernstein’s book has touched the lives of many readers. Do you have a story to share? Read the guidelines at the bottom of this page and send an e-mail!

Dear Dr. Bernstein,

I have recently read your book and must congratulate you on the most informative and revolutionary contents. A friend in the USA recommended the book to me as, at the age of 64, I have adult onset diabetes.

Having read your book and drastically changed my dietary habits, I find that the symptoms have virtually all disappeared, so it does seem to prove that the problem is diet-related. I am also following your resistance training exercise plan, and this appears to be working for me, too.

What is extraordinary is that the major institutions, such as the British Diabetic Association, are still advocating the high carbohydrate/low fat diet approach to diabetes, despite the growing evidence from yourself and other sources that such a diet is harmful!

The main reason for my letter is that I feel you would like to know that stevia-derived sweeteners are banned in Europe since they are deemed to cause problems with the male reproductive system. It would be wise to be cautious in the use of these products. Details of the problem can be found on the European Food Safety Authority Web site . [Editor’s note: since this testimonial was received, Europe has removed the ban on Stevia]

Trevor
United Kingdom

MORE TESTIMONIALS FROM READERS:

• • Dear Dr. Bernstein, In October, 2004 I was diagnosed with diabetes type 2. My initial blood glucose reading was 440, and I was started on insulin. The PA who saw me suggested low carbohydrate diet, but also gave me the standard diabetes exchange sheets and a talk on the ADA treatment methods. more >

• Dear Doctor Bernstein, I am 68 years of age and I was diagnosed as having diabetes type 2 over two years ago. I attended lectures at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital UK on diabetes and they advocated a carbohydrate high fibre diet which was identical to the advice given to me by my own GP. I followed the exercise routine and stuck to the diet for approximately one year. I found that I could not rely… more >

• I was diagnosed with type I in dental school at the age of thirty… always have been in” good control” according to my Docs… three months ago the muscles in my legs knotted up and my hands hurt… couldn’t walk a mile without starting to stumble… I had previously been a runner and squash player as well as a windsurfer… I had sold your book to the used bookstore because I thought your program was too hard… got the book back, went on your program, and reversed my symptoms… I can’t thank you enough… Now I realize I don’t like my former gourmet foods enough to die for them… Edwrd Epifani DMD Salem ,OR more >

• I was diagnosed with high blood sugar in March 2002 just before my 50th birthday.It seemed that I was following in my fathers footsteps who was a diet controlled Type 2 diabetic from a similar age.I refused oral medication recommended by my doctor deciding that exercise and diet would suffice in lowering my blood sugar and immediately started to get myself into shape and follow the diet recommendation of Diabetes Australia i.e.low GI high carbohydrate.During the first 6 months this worked to a degree lowering my 3 month average blood sugar to 7.2 mmol/L from over 10 mmol/L when first diagnosed. more >

• I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1957 at the age of six years, and started on one insulin injection daily increasing to two each day in 1959. In 1984 this increased to three injections daily and since 1994 to four each day. I started self-blood glucose testing in 1980, and of course before that I was testing urine. I now test four times each day (using a plasma calibrated meter) and I also do moderate exercise two to three times per week. more >

• I discovered I had a glucose problem because my diabetic brother-in-law had purchased your book and his meter test on me showed a blood glucose of 148 at 10:30 p.m., long after we had eaten. Although I had recorded a fasting glucose of 124 on my annual medical tests, my doctor never mentioned the possibility of glucose intolerance.
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• I was diagnosed with Type I diabetes 20 years ago, at the age of 9.  After struggling for years to maintain good blood sugars despite religiously exercising for an hour a day, taking up to 8 shots a day, checking my blood sugar constantly, and eating all of the “right” foods, my blood sugar control was still very poor, with wildly fluctuating blood sugars.  Just as I was at the “end of my rope” more >

• Last month, June, 2002, I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. BG levels ranged between 250 and 300.  This was quite a shock as there was no previous history of diabetes within my family. more >

• Dear Dr. Bernstein: I’ve been a type 1 diabetic for 33 years. I read your book, Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution, about 10 months ago. I was amazed by all the information about diabetes, in one book! This book was indeed, a complete guide to achieving normal blood sugars. I had considered myself well educated on diabetes. Over the years my personal doctors have told me I was doing very well. However, my hemoglobin A1c tests have always ranged from 7.0 – 8.5. To really be in “good control” and prevent complications (long term), a diabetic should keep their blood sugars in the non-diabetic range (hemoglobin A1c less than 6.0). However, it was difficult for me to get a A1c of 7.0… more >

• I have been on Dr. Bernstein’s plan for 4 weeks now.  I began taking insulin x 4 daily before Christmas 2001 after years after oral meds. and many complications.  Insulin really controlled my BS better than orals anyway, but I was not pleased with the overall results.  The reponse from my physicians and diabetes educators to my concerns about a 20 pound weight gain in 5 months sent me looking for alternative approaches.  “You’re going to gain weight” was unacceptable to me. more >

• How does one begin to thank someone for saving their life?  I was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in January 2002.  It was devastating because I have had ten members of my father’s family die of Diabetes related problems (including my father). My elder sister had also developed the disease and was already taking seven tablets a day and still not achieving blood glucose levels in single figures.  In the UK we use a slightly different method of measuring BG.  I have found that to understand your book properly I just divide your BG figures by 18 to convert them to the UK equivalent… more >

• I have been a type II diabetic for 10 years, but did not read your book until a year ago.  I have to say that your book has most likely saved my life and has certainly added years to it. When I started living low carb, my blood sugars averaged 250 (and were climbing despite my best efforts) and I had just been put on 1000 mg. of Glucophage a day, my blood pressure was dangerously high and I was more than 100 lbs over my ideal weight. more >

• Dr. Bernstein, I heard your presentation many years ago at a Broda Barnes Symposium. At that time I had my patients use your tapes as a reference along with some hand outs that you had available. Now of course I refer them to your book. I hope you know how many lives you have saved and or extended the quality of their life.
  Thank you Genia I Kadile, M.A., Certified Clinical Nutritionist. more >

• A million thanks! A Type II on 850 Glucophage 2x a day:
  MONDAY: My 2 hour readings, 219 and 268. First time to take 2 hour readings, usually do right before meals. Extremely depressing to say the least! Especially after walking/jogging regularly, etc.
  MONDAY NIGHT…. more >

• My husband and I received his diagnosis as a Type II five months ago. We were very disturbed, obviously, by the unsettling and startling news that this (then) man of only 34 years and normal weight had this condition.  I had already been lowering my carbohydrates after reading Protein Power by the Drs. Eades, and noticed that your book was very highly recommended. more >

• Dear Sirs,My wife Jane was hospitalized for 10 days in July. Her BG numbers were in the 300’s. She was on 1200 units of insulin a day.  Now, five months later…
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• I just wanted to say thanks. My mom was diagnosed with diabetes 3 years ago and began following your diet over two years ago. It’s amazing what a difference it makes. She’s always… more >

• I live in Nairobi and regularly work for long periods in humanitarian crises in Congo, Sudan, Burundi and Somalia – not ideal places to get medical treatment! Four months ago I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes as a result of symptoms including excessive urinating and blurred vision. I had a blood sugar reading of 384. more >

• Following your guidelines over 2 years, I have lost 52 lbs., my BG is normal, HbA1c is 4.5! You have the right idea, why don’t the “authorities” see it? My doctor is in awe – my health has never been better, I look good and feel good. I refused traditional treatment when I was diagnosed 2 years ago (prescribed diabeta), and I’m glad I did. more >

• I was diagnosed 7-20-00 w/diabetes.  My fasting sugar was 300.  I followed the Atkin’s diet for awhile but my fasting sugar was still too high – 145 .  I then searched on the web for help – and found the book from Richard Bernstein – I purchased the book and have followed his diet now for 1 year and have lost 53 lbs. I also have a normal liver (it was high before) and my A1c is ranges 95-100. I’m 33 years old and finally feel young. more >

• I am a Type I diabetic with 27 years diabetes “experience” (one year 27 times) and thought I had got a grip on my condition. My diabetologist said my HgB A1C’s at 7% were supposedly “perfection,” that the appearance of small amounts of microalbumin in the urine was “not outside the boundaries of expectation” (???) and that it was normal to continue to gain weight as I approached 40 and beyond. more >

• I recently sent the following e-mail to Balance, the magazine of Diabetes UK, the largest Diabetes Charity here. It is in response to an article they published characterizing lo-carb diets as “fad diets” which they do not recommend… more >

• I am a newly diagnosed (eight months), thirty year old, British, male Type 1 diabetic and simply must write to tell you what a profound difference Dr. Bernstein’s book and methods have made to my life. more >

• I’m a nutritionist who works with diabetic patients, among others. I recently introduced a Type I diabetic (for 50 years) to your book. He was  initially resistant, being very well-educated (read brainwashed) as to the necessity for a high carb, low fat diet, the danger of protein to the kidneys, etc. I asked him to please just try your method for two weeks. more >

• Thank you for writing the book Diabetes Solution . We were made aware of your book after my wife learned she had Type II diabetes last year. We purchased the book from Bayer after we purchased the Elite Blood Glucose Meter. My wife was advised by her doctor to attend a meeting with a nurse from the local Visiting Nurses Association to get instructions regarding use of the blood glucose meter, diet, exercise, etc. She was advised by the nurse to follow the instructions in the eleven NIH publications by NIDDK that explain in detail all aspects of living with diabetes. more >

• Last year my blood sugars were once again out of control, “whack”, and once again I made my trip to Kaiser, and once again I was told to increase my dosage of Tolanase. I knew there was a better way, but fear, laziness, whatever kept me from doing anything. Asking the doctors at Kaiser about alternative treatments always brought the same lame advice: “eventually” you will be on insulin so there’s really nothing that can be done, except follow the ADA diet and exercise. more >

• I decided on a low-carbohydrate regimen. In the past I’d lost weight on low fat/low calorie diets, but I always packed it back on, and more with each cycle. Moreover, I prefer meat, fish, cheese, and eggs to brown rice and collard greens. And then, it seemed reasonable to me, carbohydrates being the chief contributor of glucose in the blood, the fewer carbohydrates in the diet, the better the chance of getting the blood sugar count down. more >

• I have had Type 1 diabetes for 25 years. I had a lot of different problems with it. I was waking up every day with sugars around 400. My doctor said it was probably because I was over medicating myself at night and having hypoglycemia during the night, therefore bouncing back up before morning. I didn’t buy it. more >

• As a type two diabetic for 8 years, I was out of control, taking the maximum doses of orals, exercising like a fiend, following the American Diabetes Association’s recommended diet, yet still getting worse and worse. Eventually, I had to start insulin. In December 1999, first 10 units before a.m. and p.m. meals, then 12, 14, 18, 20…. up to 40 units before p.m. meal and 25 before breakfast. I was doing exactly what the doctors ordered, ate right, exercised, took the prescribed orals and insulin, monitored 4 times a day, and had to take more and more insulin, gaining more and more weight. more >

• A month ago I was told by a PA about your thinking regarding the treatment of diabetes by keeping the blood sugars under control. I am doing this as good as I can and am shedding the three Tolazomide pills I was taking on top of Metformin 850, taking 2 per day. It is simply great how well it works. I speak about this wherever I go, recommending your way of doing things to everybody and his brother. more >

• Here is another letter from a person who is very grateful for your work, and the publication of your book, Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution. I expect that you will have hundreds, if not thousands, of similar letters on your files by now, but I feel compelled to write to you and express my thanks for giving me the information I needed to allow me to take my life back again, now that my blood sugar levels have become normalised. more >

• 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. more >

• After reading your book, I was greatly encouraged and uplifted. I have had Type I diabetes for 14 years, and never seemed to get it under control. I have always been slightly overweight, and my bad control was blamed on my eating habits and inability to lose weight. But all along I was following the ADA diet and seeing a “diabetic” dietician. more >

• Age 67, height 5.7, normal weight as young man: 9st 6lb. Following vast overindulgence in food and alcohol, weight at age 40: 14st, 6lb. Current weight: 10st. more >

• I was fortunate enough that the first book I read after being diagnosed with type II diabetes was Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution. At the time of diagnosis (August 1999) I weighed 228 lbs., more >

• I was diagnosed as a type 2 five years ago. I suspect I HAD diabetes years before but the only time I recall it mentioned to me was in the context of my being borderline. more >

• Hi! My husband purchased your book for me shortly after he decided to begin the Atkins’ Diet. I have been diabetic since January ’97, and did well on the traditional diabetic diet…for a while. more >

• I’m a newly diagnosed overweight diabetic II. I’m on no meds and limit my carbs to about 50gms/day. In 4 mo. I’ve seen lots of benefits–lower and stable blood sugar, higher HDL, lower LDL, triglycerides, BP and liver enzymes. more >

• Since developing diabetes type II in the early 1990s, my blood sugar level raged out of control from the 200’s to the high 300’s. At first I failed to take my disease seriously. more >

• I had checked out every book on Diabetes Type 2 to try to stay off medications. The doctors, educators and dieticians were no help–none of them believed an obese woman could stay off meds with diet and exercise. more >

• I found Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution the best general information book about diabetes I’ve ever read. more >

• It has begun! Actually, it all began 7 years ago. I was diagnosed with diabetes. “Just don’t eat any sweets and take 15 units a day of 70/30.” Those were my doctor’s instructions. more >

• Doc: Is this a joke or what? After almost 40 years of busting a gut to maintain HA1C levels just over 6 on a high carbo diet, I make the transition to your regimen and am getting blood glucose numbers to die for–FROM DAY ONE! more >

• Dr. Bernstein, Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou!!!!
  Before I started eating a low carb high protein diet on June 23, 1999, my lipids were HDL: 55, LDL: 52 Triglycerides: 376. more >

• You have given hope to myself and several fellow employees at my place of employment and for that I thank you. Your book is well written and very easy for the layman to understand and apply to our lives. Thank you for life saving information and hope for a full & rewarding life. David A. Bailey more >

• After finding out the hard way (landed myself in ICU) that I had diabetes at all, I came to the Interent to solicit sugar-free recipes and just plain suggestions on how to deal with taking insulin and glucophage. I got only 1 response. more >

• After a week [of following Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution ], I lost eight pounds, and my neurological symptoms were vastly improved. Now, six months later, I have lost over forty pounds, my blood sugar level is nearly normal, and I feel better than I have in many years. more >

• Other than the small adjustment in diet, Dr. Bernstein’s program actually results in greatly increased daily schedule flexibility over traditional diabetic methods of management because the intensive insulin regime better tracks the body’s natural hormonal processes. more >

• I have had long-term diabetes and was suffering from neuropathy of hands and feet, impaired gait, digestive problems and sporting an A1c of 10.8 when I discovered Dr. Bernstein’s book in September, 1997. more >

• I just had to write and thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing your book, Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution . My husband is 42 years old and was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic over 10 years ago. He had a severe foot infection this past summer and had slowly become impotent. more >

• When I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in April 1997, my bg reading was over 400, my first Halc reading was nearly 11, and I was about 15 pounds overweight. The diet my doctor wanted me to follow included about 300 carbs a day, and he put me on two oral medications. I wasn’t willing to accept everything my doctor told me, so I did some of my own research. Among the first books I purchased was Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution. more >

• I was diagnosed a type 1 diabetic last June. I am 25 years old. Over the past year I have been “honeymooning”, which is a temporary condition where the beta cells function again and produce insulin. The “honeymoon” usually lasts a couple months, but I have prolonged it by keeping my numbers low through exercise and good diet–I thought. more >

• I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes and given a regular low fat/high carbohydrate diet. I had a hard time keeping my counts under 200. After starting your program I am completely off the meds and have lost 30 lbs. My glucose counts are consistently averaging about 100. more >

• Have been following Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution formula since March, lost 15 lbs, and my labs are ALL NORMAL!! more >