I have type 2 diabetes and have seen several articles and books suggesting that with the right diet and a bit of exercise diabetes can if not be cured at least render you symptom free and relieve you of the need for medication. Is there any actual proof of this. Are there any medical professionals out there who could clarify this for me. Thanks in advance.

Diamond

There is no cure for diabetes as yet. However the symptoms of diabetes can be controlled, mostly by controlling your sugar levels. These levels CAN be controlled through diet and exercise, but its not easy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ScottGem

There is no cure for diabetes as yet. However the symptoms of diabetes can be controlled, mostly by controlling your sugar levels. These levels CAN be controlled through diet and exercise, but its not easy.

---

Hi Scott
Many thanks for swift reply. I am aware that there is no cure for diabetes but I was hoping you or anyone might have read some of these books claiming to have found if not a cure at least a way to eliminate the syptoms and reduce the need for medication. Do not want to buy these books just to find that they are saying the same as you. Will live in hope. Again my thanks.

Regards

Diamond

Diabetes will ALWAYS get worse.

Abdomen x-rays will make it worse quickly.

Lower your weight to an ideal level.

Get a copy of the Gycemic Index for Foods and limit foods with a high glycemic index. Note preparation method alters the index.

For example: Pizza, raw sugar and white bread are bad for diabetics.

[QUOTE=KISS;2484543]Diabetes will ALWAYS get worse.

Abdomen x-rays will make it worse quickly.

Lower your weight to an ideal level.

Get a copy of the Gycemic Index for Foods and limit foods with a high glycemic index. Note preparation method alters the index.

For example: Pizza, raw sugar and white bread are bad for diabetics.[/QUOTe
Hi Kiss
Many thanks for taking the trouble to answer but being a diabetic I know all this already. I'm trying to avoid being conned into buying books that claim to help you but may be just another faddy diet and not really helpful at all.

Regards


Diamond

I have to respectfully disagree with KISS. Diabetes will NOT always get worse.

I am a medical professional and with the right stringent diet and exercise Diabetes can be controlled and the need for medication either reduced or removed from the treatment plan.

I also have to say it can be controlled.

I was diagnosed with diabetes,put on not only Insulin but metformin and one other(can't remember the name, I no longer have to take ANY of them)

With a diet controlling the issues(which also there was a medication involved which might have triggered the diabetes), non-the-less I am not and have not been on any meds for it for a very long time(more than a few years)

Books and articles stating a cure or somesuch are either common sense or something you can learn by seeing a diabetic dietitian.That is where I learned all I did.

Our local hospital has classes(one or 2 sessions) with a diabetes educated doctor(she actually has diabetes) and you can talk with any of the dietitians anytime you want to call in, free of charge.

I would seek the information you are looking for in your locality before buying books that might steer you in the wrong direction.

Just my opinion:p

KBC

Well, that's what my endocrinologist told me. Diabetes is a progressive disease.

I was Type II and eventually insulin dependent. Started with glyburide and now about 65 units of Levimir per day and about 40 units of Novolog + Insulin sensitizers and meds to prevent kidney complications (blood pressure) and meds for hyperlipidimea which is a complication as well.

Mom, same thing glyburide and now Levimir/Novolog. Dad, just needed Insulin when he was having Chemotherapy.

Make sure that you periodically do a full set of blood sugar readings. Morning fastings, before each meal and 2 hours after a meal. Don't rely on hA1c alone.

Diabetes is a lifestyle change with or without insulin. I wish I would have started insulin therapy sooner and also wish I would have went to an endo first.

This supports my endo's view: Type 2 Diabetes - A Progressive Disease

Type 2 Diabetes ? Failure, Blame and Guilt in the Adoption of Insulin Therapy

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by J_9

I have to respectfully disagree with KISS. Diabetes will NOT always get worse.

I am a medical professional and with the right stringent diet and exercise Diabetes can be controlled and the need for medication either reduced or removed from the treatment plan.

---

While I agree with you because I know you are an RN I lived with a diabetic husband and his endocrinologist said she has never had a patient with diabetes that did not progress as the patient aged, no matter how stringent the diet and exercise.

Is there a particular site you would recommend to research this? I don't want to be giving incorrect info.

My husband started with diet/exercise, progressed to the "pills," then insulin - and the organ damage then put him into dialysis.

Just a quick glance (I'm busy cleaning on my day off) and found that the Mayo Clinic has a good website.

Diabetes diet: Create your healthy-eating plan - MayoClinic.com

Just because a person is diagnosed with diabetes does not mean they are going to go blind, loose a limb, etc. Proper diet and exercise (dependent on the severity of the diabetes) can control the disease.

To clarify a little bit. I am in NO way saying that the disease can be reversed, nor am I saying that it can be cured.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by J_9

I have to respectfully disagree with KISS. Diabetes will NOT always get worse.

I am a medical professional and with the right stringent diet and exercise Diabetes can be controlled and the need for medication either reduced or removed from the treatment plan.

---

Thanks for help. I was diagnosed 7 years ago and my diabetes does not seem to be getting worse but I do worry about future complications and try to eat as carefully as I can without becoming paranoid about it.Apart from walking I can't seem to get into any other exercise. But thanks anyway.

Regards

Diamond

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KBC

I also have to say it can be controlled.

I was diagnosed with diabetes,put on not only Insulin but metformin and one other(can't remember the name,,I no longer have to take ANY of them)

With a diet controlling the issues(which also there was a medication involved which might have triggered the diabetes),,non-the-less I am not and have not been on any meds for it for a very long time(more than a few years)

Books and articles stating a cu
This has been very helpful. My doctor is very good but unless you ask questions he might not point you in the direction of a diabetic dietician or classes at the local hospital. When next I see him I will ask.



ocal hospital has classes(one or 2 sessions) with a diabetes educated doctor(she actually has diabetes) and you can talk with any of the dietitians anytime you want to call in,,free of charge.

I would seek the information you are looking for in your locality before buying books that might steer you in the wrong direction.

Just my opinion:p

KBC

---

Hi KBC
This has been very helpful. Will contact my doctor and see what is available at the local hospital.

Regards

Diamond

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by diamonds64

Thanks for help. I was diagnosed 7 years ago and my diabetes does not seem to be getting worse but I do worry about future complications and try to eat as carefully as I can without becoming paranoid about it.Apart from walking I can't seem to get into any other exercise. But thanks anyway.

Regards

Diamond

---

My husband and I were told that the swings in his sugar were far more damaging than the diabetes itself. Apparently those swings damage organs so perhaps if a person sticks to a certain diet and exercise plan the disease will not get worse or become uncontrollable.

My husband's diabetes was totally under control - and then he had a heart attack. The "heart" diet and the "diabetes" diet are not the same and his diabetes went wild.

His Physicians also REQUIRED both of us to have consultations (yes, more than one) with a dietitician who specialized in diabetes - I was basically the cook and had to know what to do and I wanted to be informed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

My husband and I were told that the swings in his sugar were far more damaging than the diabetes itself. Apparently those swings damage organs so perhaps if a person sticks to a certain diet and exercise plan the disease will not get worse or become uncontrollable.

My husband's diabetes was totally under control - and then he had a heart attack. The "heart" diet and the "diabetes" diet are not the same and his diabetes went wild.

His Physicians also REQUIRED both of us to have consultations (yes, more than one) with a dietitician who specialized in diabetes - I was basically the cook and had to know what to do and I wanted to be informed.

---

Hi JKT
So sorry to hear your husband had a heart attack. Like you I just want to be more informed. I'm not advocating a diy job but the amount of info is enormous and some is definitely misleading so for me the doctor is the first port of call but he is not all that into diabetes and has not pointed me in the right direction. I need a good book that I can refer to from time to time because I can't just walk into the doctor's surgery whenever I need to know something but I don't want to buy anything that's only going to tell me what I know already. So recommendations welcome.

Regards

Diamond

No, you need to see a Physician who specializes in the treatment of diabetes. If your Doctor is not that "into" it, find another Doctor. I agree that being educated is one of the best things you can do; however, you need medical intervention based on many factors, including your age, your readings, other health factors.

As it happens my husband had four heart attacks in a five year period so, as I said, it was very, very difficult to control his diabetes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

No, you need to see a Physician who specializes in the treatment of diabetes. If your Doctor is not that "into" it, find another Doctor. I agree that being educated is one of the best things you can do; however, you need medical intervention based on many factors, including your age, your readings, other health factors.

As it happens my husband had four heart attacks in a five year period so, as I said, it was very, very difficult to control his diabetes.

---

Hi JKT
Treament here in the UK is somewhat different from America. It is not that simple to change your doctor. Most GPs are just that, General Practitioners and one has to go through him to see a specialist and only then if it was something specific. However many thanks for your help. Will bear in mind what you said and all the best to your husband.

Regards

Diamond

I should have been more specific - my husband passed away almost three years ago.

And health care in the UK surprises me - I had no idea.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

I should have been more specific - my husband passed away almost three years ago.

And health care in the UK surprises me - I had no idea.

---

Hi JKT
Sorry to hear about your husband. Health care in the UK is excellent but no doubt there is room for improvement and it's free. However this is my body and I'm taking care of it to the best of my ability. I do have regular tests to make sure everything is okay but I need to lose a bit of weight and I'm not succeeding very well there. The amount of info about diet is confusing to say the least and this is where my doctor is not too clued up. So I was looking for books that might help but the amount of those is also enormous. When I next see my doctor I will try and be more persistent and see what he says.

Regards

Diamond
:)

Please come back and let us know how this works out for you - and thank you for your sympathy. He was a really good man.