There is now overwhelming evidence that T2D is caused by the habitual consumption of diets that have a high content of sugar and foods that contain starch such as rice, pasta, potatoes and pasta. While there is growing acceptance that sugar is bad news, there is disagreement about the role of the starchy foods.

The official advice promoted by the mainstream healthcare professionals is summarized in this extract from the NHS Choices website:

“The important thing in managing diabetes through your diet is to eat regularly and include starchy carbohydrates, such as pasta, as well as plenty of fruit and vegetables. If your diet is well balanced, you should be able to achieve a good level of health and maintain a healthy weight.”

In addition, patients are also advised to reduce the amount of fat consumed, with special emphasis on the saturated fat.

The big problem is that this is simply not working. Patients who follow this advice do not get better. The vast majority continue to deteriorate and may well become very seriously ill.

However there is lots of good news. Many individuals have discovered for themselves that they can overcome T2D and some are convinced that they are completely cured. What comes through loud and clear is that the diets, which produce this success are in direct conflict with the conventional advice. The fundamental approach is to restrict the consumption of not only sugar but also all other sources of carbohydrates such as starch. In addition these carbohydrates are replaced by healthy fats. Such diets are described as low carb high fat (LCHF).

This should be no great surprise because we know that the sugar and other carbohydrates are broken down to release glucose. The higher the glucose in the blood, the harder the pancreas has to work to produce the insulin to control the glucose. Ultimately the pancreas packs up and the blood glucose can no longer be controlled and causes havoc inside the body. For example it sticks to the haemoglobin, which explains why the circulation deteriorates possibly resulting in the amputation of limbs. This is all well-established and in no way controversial. In addition, there is reliable research, which provides conclusive proof that LCHF is a very effective way of controlling T2D.

Convincing confirmation is provided by the success of Dr. David Unwin, who is a GP based in Southport. At an event in Skipton held at the beginning of September, he described his amazing results with patients, who suffer from obesity and diabetes. The vast majority discover how to control T2D and avoid the need to use drugs. The impact can be measured by the fact that he has reduced the cost of drugs prescribed by the practice by £45,000 per annum.

Dr. Unwin has been advising a group of his patients to reduce sugar and foods with a high starch content such as bread, pasta and rice. These can be replaced by increasing consumption of green vegetables, whole-fruits, such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and the “healthy fats” found in olive oil, butter, eggs, nuts and full-fat plain yoghurt. Calorie counting was not needed.

All the participants reported that they felt healthier and more energetic on this type of diet. They also appreciated that the diet did not involve any weighing of food or calorie counting.

However, the most significant result was that the markers for blood sugar improved to such an extent that they reached “normality”, which is absolutely tremendous news. To cap it all, the average weight loss was 9 kg.

New training course for diabetics

There is now an opportunity for follow-up our event in September by means of a training course here in Skipton. This will be presented by Keith Rathbone, who used his skills as a Design Engineer to work out how to control his own T2D by making changes to his personal diet. He is very enthusiastic about sharing this knowledge with others and is a Patron of the Public Health Collaboration. Keith is particularly keen to attract people who have recently been diagnosed with T2D and wish to avoid the use of drugs. He will explain the rationale which underpins the strategy and provide detailed guidance on how to make the appropriate changes to the diet. It is proposed that the programme will commence on Monday 23rd January with an introductory session, which will be followed by one session per week for another six weeks (on Mondays). The venue is The Rendezvous in Skipton. Sessions will commence at 6.30pm.

Here is an outline of the topics which will be covered.

Session 1 What is pre-diabetes and diabetes?

Explains the effects of how digestion of carbs effects BG control.

Also includes 7 lifestyle factors for optimal heath.

Health results- what they mean.

Medications used in diabetes.

Setting Goals.

 

Session 2 Weight Management

Eating for good health – food groups/portions

Addressing the myths and misconceptions.

Physical activity – when what and how?

Options for weight loss.

How to assess what I am eating.

Setting goals: eating and activity.

 

Section 3 Carbohydrate Awareness

Carbohydrate and blood glucose levels

Assessing the amount of carbohydrate

Practice at estimating carb content.

Daily intake of carbs

Setting Goals: the right carbohydrate for me.

 

Section 4 Understanding Food labels

Nutrition information on food packaging

Traffic light system

Reference intakes

Nutritional claims – what do they mean?

Setting Goals: the foods I buy

 

Section 5 Health Check

Low and High BG levels

How could diabetes effect my long term health?

Prevention of complications

Importance of regular check ups

Work, driving insurance, travel and sick days

Setting goals: to reduce risk

 

Section 6 Leave the Best to Last

Recapping with the X-PERT Game

What resources are available to help me?

Revisiting my health profile

Have my needs been addressed?

More confidence to self-manage my health?

Setting goals: self-management in the future…

It will especially valuable to anyone who has just been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes or is at risk of developing the disease. If interested please contact Verner Wheelock at:

verner.wheelock@vwa.co.uk

Binns Lane Farm

Glusburn

Keighley

West Yorkshire

BD20 8JJ