Just last week I went to an endocrinologist for the first time�I had been going to my family physician for four years�He had been helping me... I had lost lots of weight by going to the Diet Center�But even after losing the weight and at the end of the program I started having my sugar levels jump up and down�So in August he put me on glucophage and then I started having other health issues�I was depressed, (and that is NOT me!) felt rotten most of the time and had no energy�

In talking to a friend who is a diabetes counselor they suggested that I go to a specialist and they recommended the endocrinologist�When they ran my test levels my A1C was 6.3 but I was high in LDL (just over 200)�He took me off all medicine and told me to start the South Beach diet�He said it would level my sugar levels and assist in lowering my LDL�/P>

Okay�I bought the book and am on the first week of Phase One�No big deal�But is there anyone else out there that has done this? What are your results? Success? Almost success? Not so great success? Comments?

 

 

Yes...I believe in the South Beach Diet as I lost 20 pounds and got off my diabetic medicine. I had alot of energy and felt like myself with out diabetic meds (glucophage). With stress at work and working long hours I ended up gaining part of it back. Then with disappointment had to start taking metformin.   A internal medicine Dr put me on glyribide and I kept having low blood sugars and eating more to prevent the low sugars and gained 15 pounds.  I made a Dr. appointment but the Dr. was on vacation so I saw the PA and she said to eat more  and give the meds time to work. Right I was getting fatter and fatter. SO I made an appointment with a endocrinologist He put me on metformin taken at supper time. Wow I lost 17 pounds and he was happy about that. Then the last time going to the  internal medicine Dr. my LDL cholesterol was up and the Dr. wanted to put me on a drug to lower it. I need to get back on the diet and lower my blood sugars and cholesterol and take care of my body. I felt so better. Is there anybody at there who would like to join me in doing the South Beach Diet and exercizing   Waiting to hear from you.......

Study Casts Doubt on Glycemic Index
Diets that distinguish between "good carbs" and "bad carbs," are not an effective way of managing blood glucose levels, a new study suggests. Although made popular by the South Beach Diet and others, the glycemic index has never been fully embraced by most dietitians and remains a point of debate among scientists. Now, diabetes researcher Elizabeth Mayer-Davis of the University of South Carolina says the use of the index should be ended altogether in favor of more traditional methods of losing weight and reducing the risk of diabetes -- eating less and exercising more. "The glycemic index is sufficiently flawed as an index that it is not helpful for scientists or people trying to create a healthy diet," Mayer-Davis said.

I find the article that was posted interesting in light of the fact that almost all diabetic recommendations that I know of (and I admittedly know very little) ...but all the ones that I have read about speak about lowering  your sugar (carb) intake.  That is what the South Beach (and some other) diets promote.  The way I understand this and other similiar diet plans is that South Beach suggests making the carbs that you do eat be those which are most healthy for you... the ones which have more fiber and more vitamins and nutrition...and staying away from what are deemed "empty" calories or carbs...the ones with more processed sugar.

 

This is just common sense so far as I am concerned.  Of course anyone...and especially anyone with diabetes...should refer to their own physician and not take ANYONE's word for anything...certainly not mine ...but not this article's either. 

 

All I know is that I lost 70 pounds by cutting out refined carbohydrates...the "empty" calories and by eating something less likely to spike my blood sugar every three hours.  I am not advocating this... I am simply saying that it can help a person lose weight and for diabetics that can be a good thing.  My husband is the diabetic...and his doctor said to my hubby,  (and I quote)  "Do whatever it is that she is doing."  

 

So while you can't believe every fad that comes down the pike...neither can you dismiss results.  -Jenny