Better Late than Never: Advice About Normal Blood Sugar From The ADA

I was astonished to see the ADA logo at the top of an article titled, "Eight Tips for Super Blood Sugar Control," in the May 24th issue of the Diabetes Health newsletter. If this was actually published with the approval of the ADA (and not another prank from Dr. Feinman*), it signals a turn-around of galactic proportions. The author, Clay Wirestone, even recommend reading the books of Gary Taubes and (are you sitting down?), Dr. Bernstein!

When I was under contract to write a low-carb book for the ADA, they told me I could select anyone I wanted to write the Foreword. I said, "How about Dr. Bernstein?" (It was really a test to see how they would respond.) They said, "Anybody but him!"

Dr. Bernstein has long been an outspoken critic of this organization. He told me he was the only author ever barred from advertizing in the ADA's publications. He often debated representatives of the ADA on the issue of normal blood sugar levels for those with diabetes, which they have always opposed. (In a confrontation with Hope Warshaw, she argued that, "Diabetics deserve to enjoy the same foods as everyone else."  He said, "Diabetics deserve to be healthy.")

Mr. Wirestone waffles a bit, and his "under 7%" target for A1C levels is far above what Dr. Bernstein would prescribe, but if readers take his advice and read the recommended books, they will certainly learn what they need to know and they will also realize that they have been misled by our government and health agencies, including the ADA.

"Eight Tips for Super Blood Sugar Control
by Clay Wirestone, Diabetes Health

You're heard the doctors. You've read the articles. You know all about tight control.

Ever since the results from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial were published in 1993, everyone has known that reducing A1C levels staves off complications and keeps us healthy longer. We know this. And we've listened.

But many type 1s--and even type 2s who aggressively manage their illness--suspect that they could do better. And just a bit of searching around the web or browsing in your local bookstore will prove you right.

For me, it was the work of Dr. Richard Bernstein. "Diabetics are entitled to the same, normal blood sugars that nondiabetics enjoy," Bernstein wrote in the preface to his book Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution. He's stated that viewpoint repeatedly in interviews and articles.

And who could argue with it? Some disagree with Bernstein's advice on how to get that level of control--an extremely low-carb diet figures into his plan--but his basic notion tantalizes. Are normal blood sugars possible? Can people with diabetes transform good blood sugar control into great blood sugar control?

I think we can. And what's more, it's not that complicated. Here are eight suggestions...."

Read the rest of the article here:

http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2011/05/20/7159/eight-tips-for-super-blood-sugar-control/

* Dr. Feinman's press release from April 1, 2010: http://www.free-press-release.com/news-merger-of-metabolism-society-and-american-diabetes-association-surprise-union-to-promote-low-carb-diets-1270129599.html

(C) 2011, Judy Barnes Baker, Carb Wars; Sugar is the New Fat

PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH JIMMY MOORE!

Unless you are new to the low-carb lifestyle, you are certainly familiar with Jimmy Moore's Livin' La Vida Low-Carb site at http://livinlavidalowcarb.com/blog/. Jimmy serves as Grand Central Station for the low-carb community. I have him to thank for much of the success of my first book, and I was thrilled when he invited me for one of his very popular podcasts to introduce the new one.

When we recorded the interview, I was confident that the book would be out, or at least available for pre-order, by the time it aired, but I'm sorry to say that it is not. We are still tying up the loose ends before it goes to the printer.

Jimmy has been involved with this project from the start. (It was over three years ago when I sent him an e-mail with the slightly over-optimistic subject line, "The Carb Wars are Over; We Won!") Whenever I needed to consult with an educator, researcher, or doctor for advice about nutrition and metabolism, Jimmy could always put me in touch. When I needed to recruit recipe testers, it was Jimmy who put out a message that resulted in so many volunteers that I had to regretfully turn some of them away. When I just needed encouragement when things were going wrong, he was always there for support. He even helped me choose the title:

The Healthy Edge; A Cookbook Based on the Latest Science of Nutrition and Metabolism;

Preface by Dr. Mary C. Vernon

Foreword by Jacqueline Eberstein, R.N.

Scientific Perspective by Dr. Richard Feinman

Below is part of the copy that will appear on the back cover of The Healthy Edge:

"The Healthy Edge flows from the science, science that it explains well. Like Judy Barnes Baker’s first book, Carb Wars; Sugar is the New Fat, it provides a good introduction to the metabolic theory that makes dietary carbohydrate restriction the best diet for weight loss, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and, for most people, general health. Carbohydrate-restricted diets are really insulin-control diets, and the science is clear on the need to control insulin fluctuations."
Richard D. Feinman, Ph.D, R.D.

"...when I recommend this book to my patients, I do it with confidence. Using this excellent tool, they are well on their way to changing their life and health with all the benefits I see every day for this lifestyle: fewer drugs, fewer health problems, more energy, less pain. If they have questions about the science, well, the answer is often here. Judy addresses some of the most common issues and discusses the science. So if I can't be there to explain, this book can help....I will be using this in my clinic, but I'll enjoy cooking from it as well. When I bring in these delicious recipes, the hospital staff will gather around pronto. I'm already considering what to prepare for the next holiday when I work.

Thanks, Judy. My patients needed this book, and so did I."
Mary C. Vernon, M.D.

"The “meat” of this book is the extensive culinary information, recipes, and meal plans that will make losing weight and establishing your lifestyle not only nourishing but fun and tasty. Recipes for a variety of very low levels of carbohydrate intake are included."
Jacqueline Eberstein, R.N.

I hope you will enjoy the interview as much as I enjoyed making it. Listen here:
http://www.thelivinlowcarbshow.com/shownotes/4064/469-judy-barnes-bakers-new-cookbook-dr-charles-mobbs-diabetic-research-breakthrough-and-more/

(C) 2011, Judy Barnes Baker

Brainstorming in Portland for the Metabolism Society

Dr. Feinman, founder of the Nutrition and Metabolism Society, invited me to join him and two other Northwest NMS members for a brainstorming session in Portland a little over a week ago. D offered to drive me down, so we put on a CD of Bluegrass music and took the day off for a much-needed mini-vacation. That's me, Dr. Ann Childers, Dr. Peter Ballerstedt, and Dr. Richard Feinman in the picture above (left to right).

I was thrilled to meet Dr. Ann Childers, a child and adult trained psychiatric physician who helps her patients regain their physical and mental health naturally through nutrition and sleep. Her website is: http://annchilders.blogspot.com/2011/01/butter-up-buttercup.html.

Dr. Peter Ballerstedt is an advocate for sustainable, grass-fed beef. He has a blog about the production and utilization of animal fat and protein from forages and why it is vital to the health of humans, their communities, and the earth itself.  You may be surprised at some of what he has to say on the subject. Read more here: http://grassbasedhealth.blogspot.com/  

And Dr. Feinman, a bigger-than-life hero in the low-carb community, is always a joy to talk with. I try to do more listening than talking, since he is a brilliant scientist as well as an articulate spokesman and activist who is passionate about changing the conventional wisdom of the medical establishment that has undermined the health of our nation. Check out Dr. Feinman's new blog at: http://rdfeinman.wordpress.com/.

The mission statement from NMS says:

"The Metabolism Society is dedicated to addressing the problems of obesity, diabetes & cardiovascular disease through public awareness and education. The Society believes specifically that the therapeutic potential of carbohydrate-restricted diets for the treatment of these diseases is under-investigated and under-utilized. The Society seeks to support research in this area....Our mission is to improve current nutritional guidelines and to see that sound scientific information is provided for the public."

You can be a part of this important work by joining the Metabolism Society (you can now join for only $10.00 a year!). More information about ways you can support truth in science is here: http://www.nmsociety.org/  

(C) 2011, Judy Barnes Baker

 Carb Wars; Sugar is the New Fat, 2007; The Healthy Edge, summer, 2011