Help Please Diabetes!

[luckitri]

I am new at this and hoping some of you wonderful people can help me. My husband is a 66 year old meat and potatoes guy and a triple bypass and diabetes that has progressed to insulin dependance has not changed his eating pattern. Looks like the diabetic neuropathy has finally got him ready to change. This week he grumped about my filling up the fridge with young coconut and the cost. Yesterday he let me make him a young coconut smoothie with the juice and the meat. He learned that the $1 coconut is a meal for both of us! However, now that he is suffering enough to try I have no clue what to feed him. I am not ready for recipes yet. Sometimes his sugar is so high he is afraid to have a fruit smoothie. If you know of raw foods that will help him and raw foods to avoid please advise. Finances are an issue right now and I have a blender and a juicer. We bought special supplements at the health food store (hundreds of dollars worth) but he is still getting worse. My co-enzyme q10 is missing so I think that he took a whole bottle of it in a week by mistake and I have no clue what that could do to him either.

[mel123]

i am a recovering type 2 diabetic...dr gabriel cousens is one of the raw food gurus i enjoy and he suggests a low glycemic eating plan....it works well for me and my sugar issues...i have found it helpful to abstain from sweet fruits for a time...my diet focuses on veggies, green drinks, and seeds....very little use of sweetners if i feel it is important to add....reducing sweet fruits temporarily has been etremely helpful to my bs levels...there is info about this...i remember one thread by paleo...something like "i dont do well with fruit"....there are a lot of varing opionions regarding the intake of fruit on a raw diet...this is what works for me and my body....i do use stevia, a bit of agave, and green apples for sweetening...he could start by tapering off of sweets or going cold turkey it depends on what he wants to do....

[luckitri]

Thanks Mel,

I sent him the trailer about the diabetic experience in Patagonia but he hasn't looked at it yet. I have heard of stevia but agave......well its a plant that grows in the desert but how to use it I am clueless. A few weeks ago we started buying the raw cactus pads at the health food store but juicing them was just too slimy for us. Maybe I will get more and just have him snack on them. He grew up having them fried with his eggs and chorizo but we're not doing that now.

[mel123]

you can buy agave nectar at the health food store....as i said there are many versions of the raw food diet...many people eat different ways here...this is what works for me...his body will tell him which is the right way to eat...follow his bs readings and his intuition....sending both of you the best...

[beelzebubble]

i think what is being referred to is agave nectar. it's a natural sweetener that has little to no impact on one's blood sugar.

here's a link to the company i buy.

http://www.madhavahoney.com/agave.htm

[Graciebeliever]

Dear Luckitri

There is so much information out there and I am sure you are overwhelmed at the moment.
I think the best point is here that your husband is willing and you are making the effort for him and that is amazing all by itself!

I don't have information on treating insulin diabetes with Raw food although I am sure that others have changed their lives drastically with eating Raw and I just KNOW you will find great help and answers.

So, I guess I will fall into a cheerleader spot and give you all the encouragment I can. There a LOTS of good people here that will have great suggestions and it takes some time for them to all get here and put in their 2 cents.

Use the Banana Button on top and look up some searches for diabetes, using the search always finds me something!!

I can tell you for myself that I am on my 44th Day of 100% Raw. I have gone from barely able to move to walking without pain and generally feeling fantasic!!


**waves her pompons and does the RAW cheer**

Hang in there and read read read :)

[Framboise]

On CNN's front page, they had an article discussing this topic to which I give the link: http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2006other/news.htm

If plain and simple veganism can do this, then raw foodism is surely a step even further. Perhaps your husband would be interested to see that even something as mainstream as CNN is picking up on the benefits of changing one's way of eating.

[juliebove]

I have type 2 diabetes. It is carbs that raise blood sugar the most. Carbs are found in fruit. Some fruits seem to have less impact than others, but this will vary from person to person. Do I eat fruit? Not much at all. The only fruit I had yesterday was a little piece of RP's brownie and a tiny bite of an apple from our tree. I wanted to determine what kind it was. It was Granny Smith. Normally I eat no fruit at all. I just can't. It raises my blood sugar too much. And of course by fruits, I mean those things we eat "as" fruits. Not tomtatoes, peppers, etc.

I wouldn't touch a smoothie if you paid me. I don't like those kind of drinks and they just don't appeal to me. I do eat coconut. I eat coconut oil. I eat nuts in limited quanties. But the bulk of my diet is vegetables.

If your husband was a "meat and potatoes" guy then that was his problem right there. Diabetics simply can't eat that way. Potatoes are one of the worst foods for most of us. Why? Because of the carbs. Some diabetics find they can't eat so much as a bite of potato or their blood sugar is through the roof. I am one of the lucky ones who can eat them. But even I have to measure my portion out. If I eat too many carbs, regardless of the source, my blood sugar is too high.

As for the agave nectar, I do not believe it doesn't raise blood sugar. I have tried it once. Put just a tiny amount in something. I do not normally use sweeteners. I do not need them. Any food that contains carbs will raise blood sugar. Each 5 grams of carbs a diabetic eats can raise blood sugar by 15 points. That means even lettuce can raise blood sugar if you eat enough of it. But there are other factors in there. Like fat. Fat delays the absorption of carbs. And then there's insulin resistance. A person with a lot of insulin resistance might find that this formula doesn't always work for them. We in the diabetes world often say, YMMV meaning "Your mileage may vary". Or what works for me might not work for you.

Since you have an Internet connection, you might direct your husband to one of the diabetes newsgroups. Or if he won't go there, you could. Here's the website for alt.support.diabetes:

http://www.alt-support-diabetes.org/

There are some vegans there and at lease one other raw foodist.

[luckitri]

for the support and encouragement! I sent him all the links. He still hasn't watched the trailer that I sent him about Dr Gabriel Cousens' diabetic month participants in Patagonia so tonight I will make him sit in front of the computer instead of the TV to catch up.

[aromaticwings]

Can I ask what that link is?? I have a friend who has diabties 1 and we are going back and forth weather raw really is beneficial...

[juliebove]

Can I ask what that link is?? I have a friend who has diabties 1 and we are going back and forth weather raw really is beneficial...

A person with type 1 diabetes really has more leeway with diet than a person with type 2 because they figure the carb count for their meal and inject insulin accordingly.

But a person with type 1 also is more likely to have a life threatening hypo because they do inject insulin. They must carry some form of fast acting carb with them at all times. That usually means glucose tabs, candy, juice, regular soda, etc. While it would be possible to carry some raw juice with them at all times, that probably wouldn't be feasible because much of the time it would go to waste. Juice is not something diabetics would normally drink because it is so high in carbs.

So while a person with type 1 could try to be 100% raw, they would have to accept the fact that at times they may not have a choice. When a hypo strikes a type 1, fast action is imperative and they may have to have some soda, regular juice, candy, etc.

[spicyfull]

I hope you find something that works, since you have a willing partner now. May God Bless you and your endevours................

[mcasburn]

If he's not ready to go 100% raw, try reading Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" with him. It acknowledges the benefits of raw foods and espouses a diet that is composed of 90% unrefined foods. It includes a six-week "starter" plan that proscribes a pound of raw vegetables AND a pound of lightly cooked vegetables per day, as well as a lifelong plan.

He claims to have helped many people cure themselves of Type II diabetes within days or weeks, and has had good feedback from folks on this list.

READ READ READ READ READ! Knowledge is power!

[alex]

Please read: The pH Miracle for Diabetes by Robert O. Young

Changing ones eating habits is a personal decision that each of us must make. It is virtually impossible for one person to change the eating patterns of another - best of luck and hope your hubby sees the light before the point of no return.

Also, use your juicer every day - best is green juices all by themselves but takes a bit to getting used to the taste.

Hope this helps


alex

[luckitri]

We broke down late last night and ate some corn chips. This am his eyes were bright red and his sugar was 500+! The green juice has caused us some bathroom runs at work that we can't afford so we are a little leery for now altho I really loved spinach juice. Actually I have found that any juice seems to be too strong for us so far except the coconut blend. The drs tests can't find it but now that I am isolating foods I can see that I have a big sugar problem as well. I had read that eating bitter greens can compensate for the sugar and the only thing I had on hand that was close was fresh mint. His sugar is down by half but he seems to be insulin resistant as well as neuropathy in his arms and legs. We are afraid. I haven't had the chance to get any of those books yet as we are busy putting out small fires in our life so if anyone has any help they can share please do. We have been trying to cut back on the nuts and avocados because we read that was too much (the amounts he was doing) and that is why we broke down and did the chips. Really - I like what raw is doing for me but we both physically feel like we are starving ourselves. Any suggestions for allaying that without spiking the sugar? The past few days I don't even shred carrot on his salad and I was even afraid to give him some zucchini because it seems starchy.

[mel123]

i would first recommend spending some time getting reconnected with your inner voice...this is a very fear-inducing time for both of you...and anxiety and fear only worsen the dillema you face....as you get more and more connected...you will be able to serve as your own guru....you will be able to hear your own body talking....i cannot tell you what to do...i can only tell you what works for me...but as you choose to calm yourself in anyway possible...meditation, prayer, talking lovingly to yourself..whatever works...you willl begin to feel what is right for you and your husband....as for green drinks...i find the best tasting ones have a watery veggie base...celery, cucmber, romaine...with a handful of darker greens....as you develop a liking to the greens you can add more dark greens..a juiced lemon or two and some sweetener...stevia possibly...all adds together to make a beautiful drink....gabriel cousens has a book called rainbow green live food that addresses blood sugar issues and the raw food diet...you can get it on amazon.com for about 18 dollars...continue to let us know how you are doing...all is really well right now...even if it does not feel like it...you are embarking on a wonderful journey.... ;)

[luckitri]

Thanks mel123, we really can't even afford life right now so I won't be ordering any books for awhile. I wonder how confused he gets and we don't have enough monies coming in anyway....that is a whole other mess. Eating this way has other negative connotations for him of being a POW in 'Nam and escaping after the fall of Saigon. I don't even play rock or electric guitar music in the house that might bring up bad memories for him. He is very angry right now because his sugar is back up in the 300's. He doesn't know what he CAN eat and neither do I. I ran off to the Asian market and got a bunch of greens I can't get easily elsewhere because I read that bitter greens helps with sugar. I got some stuff I have no clue what it is but it IS bitter! along with watercress and stuff. We agreed on cucumber salad for now with the SAD dressing and he is waiting for me to make it.

[juliebove]

We broke down late last night and ate some corn chips. This am his eyes were bright red and his sugar was 500+! The green juice has caused us some bathroom runs at work that we can't afford so we are a little leery for now altho I really loved spinach juice. Actually I have found that any juice seems to be too strong for us so far except the coconut blend. The drs tests can't find it but now that I am isolating foods I can see that I have a big sugar problem as well. I had read that eating bitter greens can compensate for the sugar and the only thing I had on hand that was close was fresh mint. His sugar is down by half but he seems to be insulin resistant as well as neuropathy in his arms and legs. We are afraid. I haven't had the chance to get any of those books yet as we are busy putting out small fires in our life so if anyone has any help they can share please do. We have been trying to cut back on the nuts and avocados because we read that was too much (the amounts he was doing) and that is why we broke down and did the chips. Really - I like what raw is doing for me but we both physically feel like we are starving ourselves. Any suggestions for allaying that without spiking the sugar? The past few days I don't even shred carrot on his salad and I was even afraid to give him some zucchini because it seems starchy.

Blood sugar over 500 warrants an immediate trip to the hospital! There is something called glucotoxicity and chances are he has it if his blood sugar is that high. Without injecting insulin, it would be difficult to get it back down. He is also at risk for ketoacidosis and dehyrdation.

Starving isn't the answer. If he has type 2, starving is the worst thing he could do because it will cause his liver to dump more glucose. Carrots and zucchini are perfectly fine foods to eat. Just watch the portion size. I don't know his height or weight but he should be able to do a cup of raw ones with no problems.

Corn chips shouldn't be a problem either if he ate a serving = to 15 g of carbs. The problem now is that he is in glucotoxicity and he needs something to get that blood glucose down ASAP. If he's type 2, he needs to be on meds, and/or insulin. If he's type 1, he must be on insulin or he will die. If he's already on insulin, something is very wrong and he either isn't using it properly or is on the wrong kind.

He needs to drink plenty of water. He should not exercise with blood sugar that high. And he MUST get prompt medical attention! The neuropathy will not get better if his numbers stay high. He is also at risk for kidney failure, blindness and even heart attack. This is a very serious thing.

[juliebove]

If he's not ready to go 100% raw, try reading Joel Fuhrman's "Eat to Live" with him. It acknowledges the benefits of raw foods and espouses a diet that is composed of 90% unrefined foods. It includes a six-week "starter" plan that proscribes a pound of raw vegetables AND a pound of lightly cooked vegetables per day, as well as a lifelong plan.

He claims to have helped many people cure themselves of Type II diabetes within days or weeks, and has had good feedback from folks on this list.

READ READ READ READ READ! Knowledge is power!

There is no cure for diabetes. It can be controlled but not cured.

[luckitri]

Thanks juliebove! He has always been very private about his medical so he says he knows about the glucotoxicity (I didn't) but refuses to let me take him to the hospital. I have been trying to get him in at a better Dr but they always book out a couple of months and then something happens and he has to go back to the old one who sends him to bogus "specialists" who use him as a guinea pig for trial medications that make him sicker. I keep telling him to just go sit in the office and tell them to give him an opening from a cancellation. He is considering doing that tomorrow. Thank you for giving me these terms - now I can look them up so I can understand. Well I wish that I could feed him raw and heal the diabetes totally - I thought that the trailer for Dr Gabriel Cousins film on diabetes gave me that idea. He is not being given the right medication is what we hope it is as that would be easiest to correct. (He has been on insulin for years)

[juliebove]

Thanks juliebove! He has always been very private about his medical so he says he knows about the glucotoxicity (I didn't) but refuses to let me take him to the hospital. I have been trying to get him in at a better Dr but they always book out a couple of months and then something happens and he has to go back to the old one who sends him to bogus "specialists" who use him as a guinea pig for trial medications that make him sicker. I keep telling him to just go sit in the office and tell them to give him an opening from a cancellation. He is considering doing that tomorrow. Thank you for giving me these terms - now I can look them up so I can understand. Well I wish that I could feed him raw and heal the diabetes totally - I thought that the trailer for Dr Gabriel Cousins film on diabetes gave me that idea. He is not being given the right medication is what we hope it is as that would be easiest to correct. (He has been on insulin for years)

He should be seeing an Endocrinologist if at all possible. And you might have dial 911 the next time his blood sugar is that high and he refuses to go to the hospital. High blood sugar can cause people not to think straight and they can even become combative.

[luckitri]

Thank you for that reminder. That last sentence is so true for him. I often wonder how much it is affecting him and he just doesn't tell me because our business is so screwy! His mom was the same way. I was caring for her alone (he was out of town) when she needed a pacemaker due to congestive heart failure and she was adamant that she just had a touch of the flu. So I had to battle her AND the health plan!

[rawnora]

Luckitri,
Since you can't afford to buy books, you may be interested to join the discussion group on my website where many long term raw fooders (some of them former diabetics) share their experiences and knowledge. It is tightly moderated so that there is very little medical-ese and other nonsense such as is rampant on other raw forums. Plus there are lots of essays and articles on my website.

The body can heal itself. Getting well is much less complicated than some would have us think. You don't have to be afraid.

Best wishes,
Nora
www.RawSchool.com

[Conscious Midwife]

A FREE TO DO TIP:

WRITE OUT DAILY AFFIRMATIONS 5 or 10 per day and practice rewriting the script that is playing in your head about your life.


Visualize the health, joy, life career and bliss you want to have.

Eat a little something every 60-90 minutes to keep blood sugar regulated.

Fruits ok just eat a little at a time if your BS reaction is high

Take walks in the evening, even if just 100 meters, to help circulation and aid in evning relaxation

[aromaticwings]

Luckitri,
Since you can't afford to buy books, you may be interested to join the discussion group on my website where many long term raw fooders (some of them former diabetics) share their experiences and knowledge. It is tightly moderated so that there is very little medical-ese and other nonsense such as is rampant on other raw forums. Plus there are lots of essays and articles on my website.

The body can heal itself. Getting well is much less complicated than some would have us think. You don't have to be afraid.

Best wishes,
Nora
www.RawSchool.com


Well, Hi Nora... didn't know you were on this list also... I agree with Nora.. there is alot of info on her list.. Very informative.. Love that group!

Luckitri
Your husband sounds much like my friend.. who is on an insulin pump and sees drs right and left.. all they do is push more meds on her.. last time she went in for a regular check up he upped her insulin.... but she still has so many problems I worry for her... we are getting together this friday to talk more about raw.. I have many books I would love to show her...
I was told of a book last night called "PH Miracle for Diabeties" by Robert O. Young.. supposed to be very good... Good luck to you with your husband....

[aromaticwings]

you can buy agave nectar at the health food store....as i said there are many versions of the raw food diet...many people eat different ways here...this is what works for me...his body will tell him which is the right way to eat...follow his bs readings and his intuition....sending both of you the best...

I understand that yaccon syrup is much better for diabetics... for a sweetner

[Framboise]

I think the best gift you could give to your husband now is to buy him a copy of The China Study. http://www.thechinastudy.com/

It is not a quack book. It is a book written by a scientist who did 27 or more years of laboratory and university research. No theory. Only facts.

Once he has read it, and is not willing to cut out meat (and other dairy products), then there is probably little you can do to help him.

Once he has read that, he may be willing to take the next step and go raw.

I really really really recommend this book to ANYONE who is still unwilling to accept that animal products are poison to the human body.

[mel123]

I understand that yaccon syrup is much better for diabetics... for a sweetner


What is that? I am not familiar with that...and where can i get it...Melissa

[Lay-Lay]

Diabetes, Kidney Failure, Kidney Transplant, Obesity, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol
Ransford (Randy) M. Hyman Sr.

“THE MIRACLE”

My name is Randy, and I am writing this living testimonial article, of the experience I have adopting the living foods life style. I am a 62 year old Electrical/Mechanical Engineer. I ran a very successful business from 1974 to 1981. My business, as construction contractor, was worth well over 3.5 million dollars. In January 1981, I was forced file chapter 11 bankruptcy, for none payment of contracts. My chapter 11 was later converted to chapter 7 by one of my debtors who owe me over $10,000.00. I hired one of the largest Law firms in Atlanta, to represent me, with a $45,000.00 lien on my home, which couldn’t help me with reorganization plan, but was able to collect on the lien. You know how I felt then, “Very, Very upset”. April 22nd. 1981, I had a head on collision with dump truck and my Cadillac, which totaled the car with me in it. Three days later, after frequent urination, the doctor diagnoses me, as a diabetic. Let the treatments begin. No pills, no diets, or doctors could stop the culprit. “See the results”.

I have been a diabetic for over 20 years. 1984, I was put on insulin. I have taken as much as 110 units a day within the first nine-month. Doctors will not agree that too much insulin was administrated, which causes my kidney damages.
1986, I was told I have kidney failure, of which I was put on dialysis in 1995, and 1997 I received a kidney transplant. At one time, I took up to 28 pills a day, at a cost of over $2,500.00 per month. “Poor people cannot afford to be sick”.

Just imagine if you have no insurance and have to maintain a kidney transplant? Dialysis cost over $400.00 per day, transplant cost $140,000.00, pills cost over $2,500.00 per month, total over $540,000.00 over a 6 years period. Think about that. Ever since I had my kidney transplant, my blood sugar averages about 200 to150 daily. Always fluctuating. On May 3rd I attended a seminar at Living Food Institute, and I was convinced that’s the way to go. From May first to may 5th, my blood sugar runs between 194 and 148. I have been taking 75 units of insulin each day. Monday may 5th, I started the class. That day my blood sugar average 108. I took 75 units of insulin that morning. Day 2 I took 30 units of insulin, that day my blood sugar average 51. Day 3 I took 20 units of insulin, that day my blood sugar average 87. Can you see what Living Foods Institute can do for you?

Day 4 I took 10 units of insulin, my blood sugar average 50. Day 5 I took 10 units of insulin, my blood sugar average 96. Day 6 I took 10 units of insulin, my blood sugar average 99. Day 7 I took 10 units of insulin, my blood sugar average 142. Day 8 I took 15 units of insulin, my blood sugar average 96. In 7 days Living Foods has cut my insulin intake by over 62%. Is this a MIRACLE or what?

I am now insulin free and have been since completing the 10-Day Course in May 2003.

LIVING FOODS not only heal you Nutritionally, but there are positive and spiritual healing as well. If you suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney failure, cancer, impotence, chronic pains and all other illnesses, consult LIVING FOODS Institutes. I can testify to that. This was my condition and testimony during my 10 days with the Living Foods Life Style. Before I adopted the living foods life style, I could only walk 100 feet the doctors told me I needed a hip replacement, I couldn’t make a fist because of arthritis in my arms and fingers, I couldn’t lay on my back because I couldn’t breath, I kept a steady head cold, I could carry 8 lbs. 20 feet, to be honest, I had just about two weeks to live. Now, ninety days later, I have walked 6 miles, lift 60 lbs. 30 times repetition. I lose 40 lbs. no more colds, no more arthritis, and no more hip pains. I believe I am a very normal person now, except for muscle strength. Thanks to Raw and Living Foods Institute. May God bless Brenda Cobb, the Miracle Lady! Let keeps praying for her and her staff. You know that Living Foods Institute not only will heal you by changing your eating habits, but heal you physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.

NOTE: Race, color, religion, life style or gender, rich or poor, no one is turned away. “I KNOW BECAUSE I’VE BEEN THERE”. Visit one of the free seminars, and meet BRENDA COBB, the founder. I will be happy to meet with you, to tell you my story personally. Thank you and GOD bless you.

—Signed RANSFORD (RANDY) M. HYMAN. Sr. 8/30/2003

http://www.livingfoodsinstitute.com/testimonials.htm

I have met the person above and he is amazing. He is still off of insullin and is still a raw foodist as of the last time I seen him, which I think was a few months ago. The first time I met him was in 2003 at the start of my raw journey.

[luckitri]

Thank you all so much! He can see the difference in me these last couple of weeks of trying to do raw.....so he is trying. Especially thanks for the reminder about the glucose dump - he usually starves himself from 5am to 3 pm and he is finally ready to listen about eating little bits through-out the day so he is doing much better - sugar is still too high - but he is making the effort to do right. He knows how much the young coconut has helped me over the hungry times so he went to the store and bought the rest of them. (I have popularized them so much that they only put a few out at a time now - HA HA - I am going to drive the price up!) Today when he came home he didn't head for a nap - for the first time in years - so he commented that it must be working already!

[Lay-Lay]

So happy he and you both are already experiencing some positives. I am cheering for you both!

[Xanadu]

Luckitri my husband is also a severe diabetic. When first diagnosed he was in the 600's and they wanted him to go directly to the hospital but he refused. He immediately started studying the disease and I eventually found the Atkins diet which put him into normal ranges as long as he didn't cheat. He then started a jogging program which at 270 pounds meant a 4 year old could out do him walking but he persevered....jog the length of our short driveway daily the first week, add one minute to the daily time each week. He has since then built up to where he can jog an hour and a half at a time and while most 6 year olds are probably still faster none could last as long unless they had been doing the same thing. Recently because of his sister's terminal cancer being improved by the raw diet he and I went on it. At first he stayed away from fruit and just did green salads and green vegetables. I also made green smoothies (all green leaves (collards, kale, turnip, escarole, spinach) cucumber, green beans, celery, etc.) for him with stevia to sweeten them and a tbsp of flax seed to keep him satisfied longer. Gradually he has added the lower glycemic fruits (berries) till now he is able to even eat a banana or an orange which although it still makes his sugar go as high sometimes as 350 it comes down very rapidly rather than having to take a huge dose of insulin to get it down like he used to. He also was suffering with serious neuropathy before going on this diet and it is very much improved to almost non-existant. He has lost down now to 245 in the approximate 2 months we have been on the diet even with cheating on Friday nights which he wouldn't have been able to do on the Atkins diet even as good as it is. His energy and mood are awesome, he no longer falls asleep during the day, he can sleep when he is supposed to, his complexion has gone from looking like a fragile puffy dying person to a healthy golden radiance that I love looking at. His ambition to conquer the world is back. I no longer have to keep him dosed up with St. John's Wort and N-acetyl-tyrosine to keep his temper and depression under control. And all this on raw food with regular exercise. If you can't buy books right now call your library and see if they have any of the ones that have been suggested here or if not if they can get them in for you. I have probably forgotten some stuff here but if you have any questions let me know. P.S. I'm much improved in several ways also - lost 13 pounds. : )