Why Do Scientists Refuse to Recommend Lower-Carb Diets for Diabetes?

[Celebration]

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-1-24/64666.html

As I have pointed out before, official recommendations regarding what diabetics should eat have generally focused on the need to eat a low-fat diet, and to include starchy foods (like bread, potatoes, pasta, rice, and breakfast cereal) with every meal.

Because these foods tend to cause brisk and substantial release of sugar into the body, and because blood-sugar control is the primary underlying problem in diabetes, common sense would dictate that conventional nutritional advice for diabetics is somewhat misguided.

................................

But those in the medical and scientific community are, I've found, not so interested in common sense and people's personal experience: What they want is science. I have noticed generally that for an approach that appears to be counter to conventional wisdom, doctors and scientists generally demand science that validates it. On the other hand, for approaches that are accepted as beneficial, no such demands are made.

.......................snip..................

This study found that compared to higher-carb diets, lower-carb regimens led to significant improvements in a number of measures, namely fasting blood glucose, levels of HBA1c (which gives an indication of blood sugar control over the last two to three months), and levels of unhealthy blood fats known as triglycerides.

..................................

Nevertheless, the results speak for themselves. The authors of this study conclude that there is insufficient evidence for carbohydrate-restricted diets to be recommended. They also call for further research into the long-term safety of such diets. If the results had been different, and the study had found that higher-carb diets were superior, I wonder whether there'd be a call for further research. I think we know the answer. When it comes to changing a paradigm in medicine, it seems that not only will common sense not suffice, good science won't do either.

[MannyGoldstein]

1. There's Been Ample Evidence Of this For Over A Decade

The medical world is nuts.

[supernova]

2. Because a lot of Drs

don't get good nutrition training in med school.

Although it's changing very slowly, you are still more likely to run into a Dr who is not so familiar with the idea that with food you can fix a lot of problems before attempting any kind of medication.

[Richard D]

3. I've seen people control Type II

Just with a low-carb diet. Even some pretty severe cases.

[enough]

4. One good reason. No drug company profits when you control your diabetes with diet.

I spent about three months on a strict Atkins diet, and all my numbers came up as if there had never been any Type-2 diabetes in my life. That was the end of my drug-taking days, and the end of my little personal contribution to big pharma. I didn't have to stay on Atkins to control it. That was just the shock-treatment that convinced my doctor to believe it.

[trotsky]

5. Because many low-carb diets also contain lots of fat.

And that can be dangerous to the already-stressed circulatory systems of diabetics. It can help blood sugar control, and reduce the need for medication, but there can be a tradeoff.

Low-carb diets are also high in protein. This can lead to kidney disease, which diabetics are ALSO already at high risk for.

Nope, sorry to break this to you, it's not another example of evil mean bought-and-paid-for-by-big-pharma scientists fighting until the bitter end a "natural" approach to curing disease. Some studies indicate low carb helps. Others indicate it hurts. Scientists take the safe path, and wait until more evidence comes in.

[grasswire]

8. have you read Bernstein's book?

He debunks the theories about fat and protein, at least to my satisfaction.

[trotsky]

10. Oh well, I guess that settles it.

Everyone else is an idiot and a shill for big pharma, I'm sure.

[grasswire]

11. why don't you read the book and tell us YOUR opinion?

Smartass.

[Celebration]

16. there is a Dr. Bernstein's forum you might like

Here it is--

http://www.diabetes-book.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=Health

[trotsky]

19. Here's a better idea.

How about you actually provide some reasoning to show that you understand the book?

High-fat, high-protein diets have their risks too. I understand that lots of people feel there is some easy, simple, "natural" cure-all for whatever condition they suffer from. Sometimes there really is no free lunch. There are risks associated with just about every diet.

[Mojorabbit]

17. My hubby had a heart attack at age 44

while on Adkins. We do watch the carbs but moderation is our goal. I don't think a strict low carb diet is necessarily healthy. A lower proportion than what we were originally eating seems to be the best diet for us.

[grasswire]

6. I learned that the first week of my diagnosis in December.

Carbs bad. I learned that by myself. Anyone who says a type 2 diabetic can eat even a modest amount of carbs is foolish, IMO.

I am almost finished reading Dr. Bernstein's book "Diabetes Solution" explaining his 50 year successful career teaching the merits of low carb diet for diabetics.

I urge anyone with an interest in reading this material. I don't know if I can live up to his recommendations, but I plan to get close.

[cloudythescribbler]

7. I don't know what you're talking about -- I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, and ...

my doctor couldn't have been plainer about the need to keep sugars AND CARBS (even healthy foods like baked potatoes) down. That's because, as is hardly news, carbohydrates turn into sugar in your bloodstream AND HIGH BLOOD SUGAR IS WHAT DEFINES DIABETES.

Any "doctor" or "scientist" who ignores the role of carbohydrates in diabetes today would have to be accused of malpractice.

:think:

[grasswire]

9. you're lucky, then

Many people are told they can eat everything they want, in moderation, if they "trade" the carb for something else. You and I know already that's not so.

[TreasonousBastard]

12. Who says they don't besides this guy? When I was...

first diagnosed, diet and exercise, and appointments with a dietician, were the first things emphasized. It's well known that in many cases weight loss, diet, and exercise can control Type II. Type I's have other problems to deal with, but no one ever tells them to eat more cupcakes.

We're not talking about a drastic carb restriction, but a reasonable reduction in carbs, tailored to the individual.

[Celebration]

15. I think it is getting better

But for the very first time, with no fanfare at all, the ADA actually acknowledged the existence of lower carb diets this year.

A few years ago the guitar teacher I had was given a diet for his newly diagnosed diabetes, and he was having a difficult time trying to eat enough carbs for the diet!!

[ingac70]

13. My Dad's nutritionist gave him a low carb diet to follow...

when his blood sugar levels got too high. Getting him to follow it is another story.

[pingzing58]

14. I believe I read about how in Australia type II diabetes is cured by

some type of stomach tie?

Surgical Treatment for Diabetes
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Published: January 24, 2008
Evidence is accumulating that the best treatment for Type 2 diabetes related to obesity may well be the most drastic: stomach-shrinking surgery, perhaps accompanied by intestinal rearrangements. That such extreme remedies would even be considered is a measure of how intractable the intertwined epidemics of obesity and diabetes have become in the United States.

<http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/24/opinion/24thu2.html>

[dropkickpa]

20. The article is talking about a bariatric surgery

using a lap band. No some new-fangled amazing cure-all for diabetes. The way it gets rid of type 2 obesity caused diabetes is the excess weight is lost, allowing the the body to function more normally. The results seen with the lap band are the same as with any other bariatric surgery, and commom knowlege. Lose the excess weight and your blood pressure, diabetes, and other obesity related disorders resolve.

from the article

In almost three-quarters of those who had surgery, all signs of diabetes disappeared. Only 13 percent of those given conventional therapy had complete remissions. The difference was because of weight loss. Patients in the medically treated group lost only 1.7 percent of their weight, on average. Those in the surgically treated group lost 20.7 percent.

[BadgerKid]

18. Technically speaking, there is no 'essential carb'

but dammit they're tasty :evilgrin:

True that no or low carbs might put you in a brain fog and otherwise make one feel enervated, but when worst comes to worst, the body is suppposed to be able to convert protein into the simple blood sugar that the brain needs.

(My genetics are predisposed to Type 2 so I'm trying to keep educated about these things.)