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Low-carb diets

Do low-carb diets "cure" diabetes - confused?

11 replies

notmytype · 31/07/2014 04:34

Putting this in General Health and Low-Carb diets to increase chance of a decent response.

Been told that my body is showing signs of insulin resistance. 6 months ago was advised to lose weight by GP, cut down on alcohol etc. It's 6 months on and I have managed to lose half a stone.

Am overweight by about 4 stone (13st 3/5ft4). Have been on low-carb diets before, done Bootcamp a few times. Find it very difficult to sustain - 3 months is the longest I've stuck at it - amazing results and then I just cave in and start eating "normally" ie. have a slice of cake at a birthday party, or a croissant for breakfast.

There does seem to be a history of diabetes in my family - my eldest brother had Type 2 and now has to inject (he's in his mid-50s). Ironically he's the skinny one in the family. Another brother has Type 2 in his mid-50s again. Both parents were on Metaformin in their 70s (age-related diabetes?).

My question is this: Does low-carbing "Cure" diabetes? Or is it just a way of eating that will prevent its symptoms? Is it simply the fact that you don't aggravate your body by getting it to produce something it can no longer do (insulin) - so like, if you have a nut allergy, not eating nuts will mean you don't go into anaphylaxis but you are not "curing" your nut allergy by not eating nuts, you are just avoiding the thing that causes your anaphylaxis - does this make sense Confused

OR will going low-carb, losing the weight bring me back from the brink of diabetes and make me function "normally" again (and mean that in future I can eat croissants, bread, rice without "bringing on" the diabetes-threat again?)

I am really struggling to lose weight, really feel I can't do low-carb full time, but don't want to waste my time losing weight via another method (lower calories) if it still means that I am increasing my chances of diabetes.

I've tried low-carbing 3 times in the past 6 months and always lost 7-8 pounds in the first week but fall off the wagon at about week 3 and it goes straight back on. If, however, it is the ONLY way that I will avoid full-blown diabetes then I might be able to make the mental adjustment I need to stick at it.

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Rainydayblues · 31/07/2014 07:52

I think you can only put your diabetes into remission with diet, you will always have a weakness in that area. I sympathise with your situation though, I also need to stick to low carb and it will be a life time commitment to control my body's desire to attack itself.
I really value my health, I find it easier to restrict my eating for health purposes than for vanity/weight loss. So far eating this way has cleared up my skin - eczema, psoriasis, dandruff. Acid reflux. Depression. Restless leg syndrome. Return to eating normally brings back these conditions, not all immediately. So although it's hard sometimes it's worth it.

My dad has type ii and I see the effect it has on his body. He has lost feeling in his lower limbs apart from pins and needles - which he is tormented with on an almost constant basis. He has to use crutches now and we have converted the bathroom in his house because it won't be long before a wheelchair is needed. He continues to eat all his favourite high sugar foods, he is slowly torturing himself to death....it's a horrible way to go. And that knowledge would be enough for me to not want to eat cakes and sweets - but it's still not easy!

Good luck with whatever you decide.

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whatdoesittake48 · 31/07/2014 08:41

Some low car experts and doctors are now claiming that diabetes is not only treatable worn a low car high fast diet but that of is curable. But the diet change needs to be permanent. The fact is that sugar and processed foods should never be a part of our diet so your only option is to embrace low carb and go for it.

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hazelnutlatte · 31/07/2014 08:50

Unfortunately there is no cure for diabetes but for some people with type 2 diabetes it can be controlled by diet. A low carb diet works well for lots of people doing this, as it naturally keeps your blood sugar levels stable. This way of eating can't be seen as a quick fix, because as soon as you start eating high carbohydrate foods again your blood sugar levels will rise and fall accordingly again.
It sounds like you have not been diagnosed as diabetic yet which is a good thing. Not all diabetics can control their illness with diet, some will need tablets or insulin, and some will develop complications even if their diet is perfect, so if you have the chance to prevent it now then that's a really good thing.
If going fully low carb really isn't something you can do long tern then don't give up entirely - there are other options available that you might find easier to live with - have you read 'Escape the diet trap' by John Briffa?

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notmytype · 31/07/2014 11:03

Thanks. So really, certain people, who have eaten a diet high in sugar (or are addicted to fresh, buttered white bread - my own downfall isn't cake and sweets) just bugger up their body over a period of time? If there is a genetic pre-disposition then this type of eating should be avoided before it even starts to screw over your pancreas. And even if there isn't a genetic pre-disposition it should be avoided? Is that the advice that is coming through with the low-carb argument?

My brother, who is going through this particularly badly (his liver results also showed damage like that of a heavy drinker and he's virtually tee-total) has also been vegetarian for nearly 20 years. He has always been lecturing me about the dangers of fat and red meat and meanwhile he has been atrociously carb-heavy with his eating which has exacerbated his condition enormously. He now has to inject even though it's been a Type 2 diagnosis.

I still vacillate between wanting to go down the WeightWatchers route that got weight off me before very effectively and giving the low-carb route a go. I know that simply losing weight would be A GOOD THING IN ITSELF but would it be enough for me? I know from experience that I can mainline sugar, sweet-stuff and alcohol on WW and lose (by simply cutting out fat).

Another thing that got me confused was the correlation between waist circumference and diabetes. Was it the fact that you were genetically pre-disposed to put excess weight on your waist rather than on your arse and thighs an INDICATOR that you were more likely to get diabetes? Or is it that the TYPE of fat that clings and leaps to your torso area is intrinsically different to the fat that is on your arms and legs etc... Is it an "evil" fat with a chemically different composition (akin to a tumour?) that DOES stuff to your pancreas and circulatory system to MAKE it diabetic.

I don't know why I haven't taken what the GP said as enough of a wake-up call 6 months ago. I'm in denial. I think there is a part of me that is complacent and says "oh diabetes is a reversible disease". It's good hearing first-hand experience how that complacency is mis-placed.

I think I just need to accept that my attitude towards food has to change. I must no longer think of it as "pleasurable" - it just needs to be fuel in the tank. It's amazing how every day trip is punctuated with what are we going to eat - I think eating has become "something to do" these days. I'm going to be thoroughly miserable but I might dodge some far worse calamity.

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miffy49 · 31/07/2014 18:00

Lots of sensible advice there! I was on the very edge of Type 2 and I have reversed it with LC but I have found that I can't run wild with carbs or I'm back to square one.

I think you need to bear in mind that the damage caused by a high blood glucose occurs much faster than people realise and you can't afford to mess about even if you are 'only' prediabetic.

Regarding the waist measurement, I believe the high waist measurement is an indicator of fat within the abdominal cavity ie around the organs and in the liver, which is vastly more dangerous than subcutaneous fat.

You can get out of the habit of eating carbs. I no longer find many carbs very attractive and much prefer extra veg. My taste for sweet things if much more easily satisfied with a little fruit or some Greek yoghurt.

You do have to work at it but its sooo worth it!

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ErrolTheDragon · 31/07/2014 18:15

My MIL kept her diabetes in check by low carbing for decades (way before 'low carbing' was a 'thing') - she did end up having to use insulin, but she managed to live to 93 quite sound of wind and limb till the last couple of years.

So - LC isn't a cure but it can be a jolly good idea if you are a T2 diabetic.

If you're prediabetic, then it would doubtless help too - but perhaps you don't need to be quite so hardcore? maybe you need to find a sustainable balance which allows you to lose weight (esp at the waist) and keep it off. I started doing 5:2 after a borderline glucose test - a few months later it was fine. I find doing this - together with exercise (shred type things) has got me fitter and healthier than I've been for years and it seems to be sustainable. I'm probably eating less carbs just because I'm more in tune with what I actually need. So maybe something like that might be worth a go if you can't stick to hardcore LC?

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whatdoesittake48 · 31/07/2014 19:05

The best thing to do is use very low carb initially to get your weight down then work back up to a safe level of carbs where you maintain. That may allow you a slice or two of your fave bread a day. .. but it can be a slippery slope.

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ChickenMe · 01/08/2014 23:00

I think eating excessive carbs (ie sugar and processed foods) causes abdominal obesity and diabetes in susceptible people. Therefore eating a low carb diet would reverse the problem.
IMO low carb diets should be high fat otherwise they are not sustainable. It's better to emphasize that its low processed carbs. Eg if I want to eat loads of veg I will but I don't eat bread/wheat and will limit rice/corn/potatoes although the latter don't mess with my blood sugar so I'm relaxed.
Marks Daily Apple is a good starting point and lots of recipies.
I've eaten LC since 2009 and it's only now that I have discipline around carbs. I think some of us are weak when it comes to sugar-almost like sugar intolerant. It's a drug really. I do have treats but say if i want ice cream I'll have organic green and blacks ie nice and fatty. A little goes a long way.

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ErrolTheDragon · 01/08/2014 23:39

You're right that you can't live on low carb and low fat - we can't live on pure protein. Apparently Europeans exploring the americas with native guides used to live almost exclusively on game - but whereas the natives ate fat and organs and stayed healthy, the Europeans just ate the lean meat ...and tended to keel over and die. I've forgotten the biochemistry but man cannot live by lean chicken and fish alone! My aforementioned MIL would be careful about the sugar quantity of a fruit salad but douse it liberally in cream.

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TillyWilly · 02/08/2014 16:33

My friend lost 5stone and her Type 2 diabetes was virtually gone. She did a low carb type thing. As long as she stays eating like this she is fine.
I eat low carb (not strict though as I do not find it sustainable) but do not add lots of fats to food if they don't naturally occur in the food in the first place. I will eat roast chicken skin and fat and fatty fish, bacon and grilled crispy bits, nuts, avocado, cheese and butter etc. I do however add some oils to my salad with a bit of balsamic and maple. I love Paleo and there are some amazing recipes on PALOMG blog.

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PlentyOfPubeGardens · 16/08/2014 19:36

I'm not an expert but DH has recently been diagnosed with type 2 and so I have been reading around a bit. As I understand it there are two things going on:

Short term, lowering carbs will help you avoid high blood glucose.

Long term, losing weight and keeping it off can bring your blood sugar control back to normal. One thing to note - the people who took part in the Newcastle study went on a severe crash diet but the guidance pamphlet says that it doesn't matter how fast you lose the weight, once you are below your 'personal fat threshold' your insulin producing cells will 'wake up' again.

As you are 'pre-diabetic' I would say the main aim should be the weight loss in whatever way you find easiest and most sustainable, but as I said, I'm not an expert Smile

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