Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
Jul 5th 2016, 6:28 am
#1
Austin. TX.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,932
Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
This is not medical advice, not dental advice even, just a recommendation for a book that I think would be very, very good reading.
"The Obesity Code" by Dr Jason Fung. He is a real medical doctor. A Canadian kidney specialist who treats patients with kidney failure, most of whom have type 2 diabetes.
He has had great success with reversing even the most advanced diabetes.
What I liked about the book is his reliance upon real scientific data and de-bunking a lot of the crap dietary advice out there. He stresses that there isn't a one-size fits all solution.
I already knew that my genetics plays a huge role in my future health and tbh when I look at my family, I feel like I have a loaded gun to my head when it comes to being overweight and getting type 2 diabetes. Up until a few years ago, I had been doing really well, as a former dental hygienist I was very clued up on healthy eating and had naturally avoided sugar/carbs and as I had lived in France, I hadn't eaten between meals.
Then I moved to the USA and since then despite my diet remaining good, my weight has gone up no matter what I did. I have rigourously entered all my food into myfitnesspal, I have exercised, I have done weights and still that needle goes up. In my case, I have been under stress for various reasons since moving here and I had already decided that this was the key for me. I can't yet say the stress has gone, it hasn't but I am figuring out a few things to do that seem to be having an effect. Some of them thanks to Dr Fung.
You may have heard of the "insulin hypothesis" for weight gain/loss. The hormone insulin is the fat storage hormone. It's one of the reasons that low carb diets work initially. Low carb means less blood glucose means less insulin. Dr Fung takes this to the next stage as he talks about insulin resistance - the more we eat carbs, the more frequently we eat carbs then the more insulin is needed to deal with the blood glucose, leading eventually to diabetes type 2.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, drives insulin production. So,if you are stressed then you are more likely to store what you eat as fat. Ancient survival technique. I need to manage my stress better.
"The Obesity Code" by Dr Jason Fung. He is a real medical doctor. A Canadian kidney specialist who treats patients with kidney failure, most of whom have type 2 diabetes.
He has had great success with reversing even the most advanced diabetes.
What I liked about the book is his reliance upon real scientific data and de-bunking a lot of the crap dietary advice out there. He stresses that there isn't a one-size fits all solution.
I already knew that my genetics plays a huge role in my future health and tbh when I look at my family, I feel like I have a loaded gun to my head when it comes to being overweight and getting type 2 diabetes. Up until a few years ago, I had been doing really well, as a former dental hygienist I was very clued up on healthy eating and had naturally avoided sugar/carbs and as I had lived in France, I hadn't eaten between meals.
Then I moved to the USA and since then despite my diet remaining good, my weight has gone up no matter what I did. I have rigourously entered all my food into myfitnesspal, I have exercised, I have done weights and still that needle goes up. In my case, I have been under stress for various reasons since moving here and I had already decided that this was the key for me. I can't yet say the stress has gone, it hasn't but I am figuring out a few things to do that seem to be having an effect. Some of them thanks to Dr Fung.
You may have heard of the "insulin hypothesis" for weight gain/loss. The hormone insulin is the fat storage hormone. It's one of the reasons that low carb diets work initially. Low carb means less blood glucose means less insulin. Dr Fung takes this to the next stage as he talks about insulin resistance - the more we eat carbs, the more frequently we eat carbs then the more insulin is needed to deal with the blood glucose, leading eventually to diabetes type 2.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, drives insulin production. So,if you are stressed then you are more likely to store what you eat as fat. Ancient survival technique. I need to manage my stress better.
Jul 5th 2016, 7:19 am
#3
Austin. TX.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,932
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
I'm not sure what is happening to BE lately - people seem to be perfectly happy to post without adding any useful comment or information at all.
Jul 5th 2016, 7:22 am
#4
Muskoka, Ontario
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,045
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
Are you pre-diabetic?
Jul 5th 2016, 7:26 am
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
Why don't you go to your doctor and get an A1C test. You can even now get home A1C tests that are actually quite accurate. Do one once a month while getting an annual or bi-annual A1C at you doctor and that should give you some peace of mind.
Jul 5th 2016, 7:29 am
#6
Austin. TX.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,932
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
not that I'm aware of but I haven't gone out of my to test it. Considering my diet and exercise, I would rule that out - my only slight niggle was a slightly high fasting blood glucose level (taken in the morning) which I think is explained by the stress/cortisol.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
Jul 5th 2016, 7:34 am
#7
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2012
Location: Apex, NC
Posts: 419
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
not that I'm aware of but I haven't gone out of my to test it. Considering my diet and exercise, I would rule that out - my only slight niggle was a slightly high fasting blood glucose level (taken in the morning) which I think is explained by the stress/cortisol.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Jul 5th 2016, 7:39 am
#8
Muskoka, Ontario
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 3,045
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
not that I'm aware of but I haven't gone out of my to test it. Considering my diet and exercise, I would rule that out - my only slight niggle was a slightly high fasting blood glucose level (taken in the morning) which I think is explained by the stress/cortisol.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
Jul 5th 2016, 8:33 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2016
Location: California
Posts: 96
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
I have read his book, and although it mostly recycles and repackages already-known science, it has some very valid points regarding insulin resistance. The thing that always worries me about these types of books is that it seems to place the blame all on a single source (it's not the calories or the exercise, it's the hormones). For some people, perhaps such as yourself, it may well be stress impacting your insulin production etc. but it cannot be denied that large amounts of people simply lead very unhealthy lifestyles, i.e bad diets, constant snacking between meals, little exercise, etc.
I don't think or suggest that Dr Fung really believes it is all about the insulin, but the way the book is packaged at times makes it appear fad-ish.
Jul 5th 2016, 8:50 am
#10
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 46,474
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
not that I'm aware of but I haven't gone out of my to test it. Considering my diet and exercise, I would rule that out - my only slight niggle was a slightly high fasting blood glucose level (taken in the morning) which I think is explained by the stress/cortisol.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
I would love to get my hands on a continuous blood glucose monitor though. Apparently these things are going to be game changers in the way we manage our diet.
Although you are not diabetic you do glucose testing daily? Why? Are you that fearful?
Jul 5th 2016, 10:39 am
#11
Austin. TX.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,932
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
Sigh, no doubt another reference to my prior post in the AP/IB thread...
I have read his book, and although it mostly recycles and repackages already-known science, it has some very valid points regarding insulin resistance. The thing that always worries me about these types of books is that it seems to place the blame all on a single source (it's not the calories or the exercise, it's the hormones). For some people, perhaps such as yourself, it may well be stress impacting your insulin production etc. but it cannot be denied that large amounts of people simply lead very unhealthy lifestyles, i.e bad diets, constant snacking between meals, little exercise, etc.
I don't think or suggest that Dr Fung really believes it is all about the insulin, but the way the book is packaged at times makes it appear fad-ish.
I have read his book, and although it mostly recycles and repackages already-known science, it has some very valid points regarding insulin resistance. The thing that always worries me about these types of books is that it seems to place the blame all on a single source (it's not the calories or the exercise, it's the hormones). For some people, perhaps such as yourself, it may well be stress impacting your insulin production etc. but it cannot be denied that large amounts of people simply lead very unhealthy lifestyles, i.e bad diets, constant snacking between meals, little exercise, etc.
I don't think or suggest that Dr Fung really believes it is all about the insulin, but the way the book is packaged at times makes it appear fad-ish.
No Dr Fung most emphatically does not advocate a one size fits all approach.
He makes this very, very clear.
Jul 5th 2016, 11:04 am
#12
Austin. TX.
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,932
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
I saw a nutritionist two weeks ago and this was one of the things we spoke about ... high glucose levels first thing in the morning as evidenced by fasting blood testing quarterly. She advised that eating a light snack just before bedtime is the way to go. When your body does not have food to work at digesting, it producing more insulin. By eating a light snack before bedtime you give your system something to work on and thus lowers the morning glucose. So far it is working nicely. I snack on fresh blueberries about 1/2 hour before time. Any type of berry will do.
Although you are not diabetic you do glucose testing daily? Why? Are you that fearful?
Although you are not diabetic you do glucose testing daily? Why? Are you that fearful?
I'm working on the stress reduction/management - I'm not overly concerned with pre-diabetes right now. It's on my radar though since so many of my family do have issues with it.
I'm a nerd when it comes to measuring things, I like hard figures to work on. Part of that is my dental background of course. That's why I'd like to have a try with a continuous blood glucose monitor. I think if people could see what happens to their bodies when they eat something, it could be a game changer. Part of the problem with advocating dietary changes is that the results can take a while to show themselves. But if you can say to someone, try to keep your blood glucose below x level all day, then that is something concrete to work on each day.
Dr Fung talks about frequency of eating as well. In dentistry we know that the frequency of eating can be more important than what you are eating. Your teeth can cope with about 3 acid attacks per day, once you increase that on a regular basis then your risk of dental decay increases. It seems that the rest of our body works better if we are not constantly eating as well. This fits in well with what I observed in France too. French women generally do not snack between meals and children have a mini-meal called a "gouter" or snack but it isn't often that you see people walking around munching or drinking soda. Interesting for me to observe.
Jul 5th 2016, 11:19 am
#13
WTF?
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: Homeostasis
Posts: 79,449
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
What is the AP/IB thread? 
Jul 5th 2016, 11:24 am
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2016
Location: California
Posts: 96
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
Sorry, it's actually the foreign language after brexit thread. It was kind of a reference to a discussion between PF and I on another thread and has no relevance to the subject of this thread. Sorry for the confusion.
Last edited by Teckelspass; Jul 5th 2016 at 11:27 am.
Jul 5th 2016, 11:24 am
#15
Banned
Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: Weight loss/Diabetes type 2.
This is not medical advice, not dental advice even, just a recommendation for a book that I think would be very, very good reading.
"The Obesity Code" by Dr Jason Fung. He is a real medical doctor. A Canadian kidney specialist who treats patients with kidney failure, most of whom have type 2 diabetes.
He has had great success with reversing even the most advanced diabetes.
What I liked about the book is his reliance upon real scientific data and de-bunking a lot of the crap dietary advice out there. He stresses that there isn't a one-size fits all solution.
I already knew that my genetics plays a huge role in my future health and tbh when I look at my family, I feel like I have a loaded gun to my head when it comes to being overweight and getting type 2 diabetes. Up until a few years ago, I had been doing really well, as a former dental hygienist I was very clued up on healthy eating and had naturally avoided sugar/carbs and as I had lived in France, I hadn't eaten between meals.
Then I moved to the USA and since then despite my diet remaining good, my weight has gone up no matter what I did. I have rigourously entered all my food into myfitnesspal, I have exercised, I have done weights and still that needle goes up. In my case, I have been under stress for various reasons since moving here and I had already decided that this was the key for me. I can't yet say the stress has gone, it hasn't but I am figuring out a few things to do that seem to be having an effect. Some of them thanks to Dr Fung.
You may have heard of the "insulin hypothesis" for weight gain/loss. The hormone insulin is the fat storage hormone. It's one of the reasons that low carb diets work initially. Low carb means less blood glucose means less insulin. Dr Fung takes this to the next stage as he talks about insulin resistance - the more we eat carbs, the more frequently we eat carbs then the more insulin is needed to deal with the blood glucose, leading eventually to diabetes type 2.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, drives insulin production. So,if you are stressed then you are more likely to store what you eat as fat. Ancient survival technique. I need to manage my stress better.
"The Obesity Code" by Dr Jason Fung. He is a real medical doctor. A Canadian kidney specialist who treats patients with kidney failure, most of whom have type 2 diabetes.
He has had great success with reversing even the most advanced diabetes.
What I liked about the book is his reliance upon real scientific data and de-bunking a lot of the crap dietary advice out there. He stresses that there isn't a one-size fits all solution.
I already knew that my genetics plays a huge role in my future health and tbh when I look at my family, I feel like I have a loaded gun to my head when it comes to being overweight and getting type 2 diabetes. Up until a few years ago, I had been doing really well, as a former dental hygienist I was very clued up on healthy eating and had naturally avoided sugar/carbs and as I had lived in France, I hadn't eaten between meals.
Then I moved to the USA and since then despite my diet remaining good, my weight has gone up no matter what I did. I have rigourously entered all my food into myfitnesspal, I have exercised, I have done weights and still that needle goes up. In my case, I have been under stress for various reasons since moving here and I had already decided that this was the key for me. I can't yet say the stress has gone, it hasn't but I am figuring out a few things to do that seem to be having an effect. Some of them thanks to Dr Fung.
You may have heard of the "insulin hypothesis" for weight gain/loss. The hormone insulin is the fat storage hormone. It's one of the reasons that low carb diets work initially. Low carb means less blood glucose means less insulin. Dr Fung takes this to the next stage as he talks about insulin resistance - the more we eat carbs, the more frequently we eat carbs then the more insulin is needed to deal with the blood glucose, leading eventually to diabetes type 2.
Cortisol, the stress hormone, drives insulin production. So,if you are stressed then you are more likely to store what you eat as fat. Ancient survival technique. I need to manage my stress better.
