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Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars
Originally published in 1997, DR. BERNSTEIN'S DIABETES SOLUTION is a unique resource that covers both adult- and childhood-onset diabetes, explains step-by-step how to normalize blood sugar levels and prevent or reverse complications, and offers detailed guidelines for establishing a treatment plan. Readers will find fifty gourmet recipes, in addition to a comprehensive discussion of diet, obesity, and new drugs to curb carbohydrate craving and overeating.
Now in its fourth edition, the book presents up-to-the-minute information on insulin resistance, blood-testing devices, measuring blood sugar, new types of insulin, gastroparesis and other issues, as well as updated diet guidelines. DR. BERNSTEIN'S DIABETES SOLUTION is the one book every diabetic must own.
Now in its fourth edition, the book presents up-to-the-minute information on insulin resistance, blood-testing devices, measuring blood sugar, new types of insulin, gastroparesis and other issues, as well as updated diet guidelines. DR. BERNSTEIN'S DIABETES SOLUTION is the one book every diabetic must own.
560 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
656 people are currently reading
1226 people want to read
About the author
Richard K. Bernstein
10 books35 followersRichard K. Bernstein was an American physician and an advocate for a low-carbohydrate diabetes diet to help achieve normal blood sugars for diabetics. Bernstein had type 1 diabetes. His private medical practice in Mamaroneck, New York was devoted solely to treating diabetes and prediabetes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
March 19, 2009
This book, honestly, has saved our lives (physically and emotionally). I should wear a sign around my neck, everywhere I go, that states: "Diabetic? Ask Me about..."
My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 15 years ago. It had been steadily advancing along with all the insidious side effects. His diet strictly followed his doctor's advise but his diabetes was spiraling out of control.
This book explains all the physiology involved, takes the blame off the "lazy diabetics who can't control their cravings." Once one truly understands the affects of the disease on the body and the brain, difficult decisions suddenly make sense and therefore easier to make. I am not diabetic but decided to follow the diet to support my husband, and to also try to gain some understanding in how difficult a life change this might be. The first week was very difficult with highs and lows as we figured out his body's reactions. I felt utterly obsesed with food and fingerpricks, but his sugars completely stablized after four days. After the second week he declared that he would NEVER go back to his old eating habits. After 3 weeks, many of his complications began to dissappear. Now, after 3 months, the food choices seem natural and easy.
I know I must be driving my friends and acquaintances crazy, but I will say it again: This book saved our lives.
My husband was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about 15 years ago. It had been steadily advancing along with all the insidious side effects. His diet strictly followed his doctor's advise but his diabetes was spiraling out of control.
This book explains all the physiology involved, takes the blame off the "lazy diabetics who can't control their cravings." Once one truly understands the affects of the disease on the body and the brain, difficult decisions suddenly make sense and therefore easier to make. I am not diabetic but decided to follow the diet to support my husband, and to also try to gain some understanding in how difficult a life change this might be. The first week was very difficult with highs and lows as we figured out his body's reactions. I felt utterly obsesed with food and fingerpricks, but his sugars completely stablized after four days. After the second week he declared that he would NEVER go back to his old eating habits. After 3 weeks, many of his complications began to dissappear. Now, after 3 months, the food choices seem natural and easy.
I know I must be driving my friends and acquaintances crazy, but I will say it again: This book saved our lives.
April 4, 2013
This book changed my life. I've had Type 1 diabetes for 48 years and managed it well, but not until I read this book did I understand in depth the interplay of insulin, food, exercise, and. of course, the associated sequelae. I also learned, perhaps most importantly, that blood sugars kept within normal range can result in diminished or even reversed sequelae. That was a eureka moment for me: I'd always thought that diabetes-related decay of every organ in the body (barring hair follicles; they're not so sure about that. I have weird hair, but I don't think it's diabetes-related) was more or less inevitable.
If you have diabetes, or have a diabetic relative who could use some help, you might want to read or recommend this book. Then again, you might not. I'll explain.
Bernstein developed Type 1 diabetes as a young man. Following then-current wisdom on insulin dosing, diet and exercise, he was a wreck. As in, passing out at the wheel and crashing. That is not a metaphor.
Bernstein, then an engineer in the medical devices field, began to research the disease. One thing he found was that lab animals, if their blood sugars were kept within the range of normal, could be, essentially, cured of diabetes and/or its sequelae. The thinking back then was that this was impossible for humans, for whatever bizarre rationale. (We are not animals? We lack discipline? Honey, show me a way to fix this malady, and I'll be a soldier who won't flinch when you slice off his nipple. That analogy courtesy of the season's opener for Game of Thrones. No, no don't thank me.)
He heard of a new device, relatively portable (suitcase-sized), to test blood sugar on the spot, as opposed to the very long times it had taken (bear in mind the doctor is now in his 80s; this was long before at-home, portable, personal glucose testing devices).
He wanted one. They wouldn't sell it to him. They said these were just for emergency rooms, for the purpose of differentiating passed-out drunks from hypoglycemic faints. They said diabetics would never test their own blood sugar.
So Bernstein got his wife, a medical doctor, to get him one, and he set about normalizing his blood sugars.
Well. He did darn good. He got his blood sugar within normal range (in the 80s), and his sequelae went *poof*.
He also looks like somebody suffering from starvation. Which brings me to why you might not bother to read this book or have your diabetic loved ones read it.
This stuff is hard. This stuff requires a discipline that's severe when it comes to diet and medication, to exercise, to cooking your own food, to all sorts of diabetic fun-fun-fun.
Not many people can do things the way the good doctor Bernstein carefully lays out in this excellent book.
That's why people die from diabetes.
Thank God I'm blessed with discipline, and with the ability to cook, and with a rabid love of living.
This is doable. It's all doable. I don't look like a Holocaust survivor. I look plump and happy. Albeit with weird hair. I eat like a horse. I don't feel deprived. I gorge myself on fat and protein, and I eat tons of low-carb vegetables. This is important. This is key. You can do this. Your diabetic friends and relatives can do this.
But you, or they, have to really, really want to do it.
Best of luck to all in dealing with the big D.
If you have diabetes, or have a diabetic relative who could use some help, you might want to read or recommend this book. Then again, you might not. I'll explain.
Bernstein developed Type 1 diabetes as a young man. Following then-current wisdom on insulin dosing, diet and exercise, he was a wreck. As in, passing out at the wheel and crashing. That is not a metaphor.
Bernstein, then an engineer in the medical devices field, began to research the disease. One thing he found was that lab animals, if their blood sugars were kept within the range of normal, could be, essentially, cured of diabetes and/or its sequelae. The thinking back then was that this was impossible for humans, for whatever bizarre rationale. (We are not animals? We lack discipline? Honey, show me a way to fix this malady, and I'll be a soldier who won't flinch when you slice off his nipple. That analogy courtesy of the season's opener for Game of Thrones. No, no don't thank me.)
He heard of a new device, relatively portable (suitcase-sized), to test blood sugar on the spot, as opposed to the very long times it had taken (bear in mind the doctor is now in his 80s; this was long before at-home, portable, personal glucose testing devices).
He wanted one. They wouldn't sell it to him. They said these were just for emergency rooms, for the purpose of differentiating passed-out drunks from hypoglycemic faints. They said diabetics would never test their own blood sugar.
So Bernstein got his wife, a medical doctor, to get him one, and he set about normalizing his blood sugars.
Well. He did darn good. He got his blood sugar within normal range (in the 80s), and his sequelae went *poof*.
He also looks like somebody suffering from starvation. Which brings me to why you might not bother to read this book or have your diabetic loved ones read it.
This stuff is hard. This stuff requires a discipline that's severe when it comes to diet and medication, to exercise, to cooking your own food, to all sorts of diabetic fun-fun-fun.
Not many people can do things the way the good doctor Bernstein carefully lays out in this excellent book.
That's why people die from diabetes.
Thank God I'm blessed with discipline, and with the ability to cook, and with a rabid love of living.
This is doable. It's all doable. I don't look like a Holocaust survivor. I look plump and happy. Albeit with weird hair. I eat like a horse. I don't feel deprived. I gorge myself on fat and protein, and I eat tons of low-carb vegetables. This is important. This is key. You can do this. Your diabetic friends and relatives can do this.
But you, or they, have to really, really want to do it.
Best of luck to all in dealing with the big D.
October 25, 2012
This book is a must read for everyone with diabetes, suspect diabetes, or even for someone who is simply overweight.
What Dr. Bernstein reveals, with plenty pf detail and provable facts, is the close relationship with blood sugar disorder and weight gain. Not only that. He gets the record straight about what it is that makes us fat, and why diabetes kills so many.
That alone would be a reason to read this book, but he goes beyond it, and explains how anyone with diabetes can have a normal life, with normal blood sugar, thus eliminating all health complications such as heart and kidney failures or limb amputation.
The remedies he proposes may not be fit for everyone. You will need a strong will to achieve the lifestyle change that leads to health. But there are so many testimonials, first among them the author himself, who has been living a healthy life with diabetes for more than 60 years, that you feel compelled to at least give this method a try.
And I have to say that I did try, and the results are magnificent. Thus, the only thing I need to do is to recommend this book.
What Dr. Bernstein reveals, with plenty pf detail and provable facts, is the close relationship with blood sugar disorder and weight gain. Not only that. He gets the record straight about what it is that makes us fat, and why diabetes kills so many.
That alone would be a reason to read this book, but he goes beyond it, and explains how anyone with diabetes can have a normal life, with normal blood sugar, thus eliminating all health complications such as heart and kidney failures or limb amputation.
The remedies he proposes may not be fit for everyone. You will need a strong will to achieve the lifestyle change that leads to health. But there are so many testimonials, first among them the author himself, who has been living a healthy life with diabetes for more than 60 years, that you feel compelled to at least give this method a try.
And I have to say that I did try, and the results are magnificent. Thus, the only thing I need to do is to recommend this book.
March 27, 2013
This book is a life-changing book for me. I have been a Type 2 diabetic for a little over 10 years, and never quite got my blood sugars as low as my doctor would like. I tried following the recommended diets, but while the results were not awful, it was a constant struggle. Meanwhile, my medication doses were slowly rising, and my doctor started suggesting that maybe we would need to move to insulin injections. But since starting this book and understanding what Dr. Bernstein is saying, my blood sugars have been excellent, I am losing weight, and I feel like I am in control of my life. IF you or anyone you know is a diabetic, I urge you to look at this book.
September 9, 2012
This book is a life saver. Give it to anyone you know who is diabetic. I am a type II and after reading this book I lost 50 pounds, was taken off insulin and three of four medications, and am controlling my diabetes through diet and exercise. It's all about dietary sugar. The ADA teaches that sugar is sugar, Dr Bernstein shows otherwise. Limiting certain dietary sugars lowers your blood sugar and removes all the symptoms of high blood sugars. Diabetes could be viewed as a person's reaction to dietary sugars two hours after every meal.
November 10, 2009
I'll start with this incredible quote on page 33: “studies predict that 95% of Americans born today will develop diabetes.” Dr Bernstein didn't provide a source for that amazing percentage, but if you're reading this, chances are overwhelming that you or your kids, parents, siblings, friends, and neighbors will develop diabetes—or maybe all of you! This percentage is higher than the estimated population affected in medieval Europe during it's several plague outbreaks. It's even higher than the estimated numbers of American Indians decimated by smallpox in the 1500s.
I don't have diabetes, but I've seen similar percentages from different sources. I've never seen the figure 95% before, but I've seen estimates that are all pretty high. Dr Bernstein goes on to say that—even today—deaths related to diabetes is probably way underreported. For example, if you die from stoke, sepsis, heart attack, etc, then your death will be attributed to the proximal cause, not necessarily the underlying diabetes that caused the eventual pathophysiologies.
I feel like diabetes will overwhelm the health industry, will break Medicare and Medicaid, and will emerge in the next few decades, not as an epidemic, but as a pandemic of epic proportions. Governments will struggle to survive; civilization may even teeter with a 95% rate of incidence. It's from this macabre personal forecast that I felt compelled to learn a little more than I already do about diabetes.
This is not the book to read if you're interested in diabetes forecasting, the science of future treatment, medical perspectives, or public policy regarding diabetes. Instead, it's a book that outlines, in great detail, personal treatment regimens. Dr. Bernstein has had Type I diabetes for over 50 years, and the treatment he writes about are methods that he has followed himself. In fact, he developed his insulin regimen and diet in the absence of what he felt was sufficient diabetic treatment back in the Jurassic period of diabetic knowledge--the 60's, 70's, and 80's. He offers recommendations that differ dramatically from standard diabetic treatment, for both Type I and II. Dr Bernstein makes clear up front that his book will offer advice that other clinicians may not fully support. For proof that it does work, however, he offers as testimony the thousands of patients that have journeyed to find him and learn his practices. And for people who have had little success with traditional practices, Dr Bernstein's methods must seem like a God-send.
Again, I'm not a diabetic, nor do I have one in the family, but eventually I will. This book will humble you to the insulin and food restrictions followed by most diabetics. It also taught me that diabetes is not unsurvivable; on the contrary, Dr Bernstein has described how easily it can be mitigated. His overall thesis is something he calls 'The Law of Small Numbers.' In a nutshell, it's much easier and healthier to deal with your glucose levels when you're administering small amounts, but much more frequently. In Bernstein's words on page 102: the "name of the game for the diabetic in achieving blood sugar normalization is predictability." So, yes, more injections, but a less maundering blood sugar level throughout the day.
Here's some high points:
- How and when to measure blood sugars
- Establishing treatment plans
- What you've been taught about diet is probably wrong (carbs = bad; protein = good)
- Pros/cons of Insulin Sensitizing Agents & Insulin Mimetic Agents
- Unique exercise program which helps with insulin dose absorption & timing
- Types of insulin (most-rapid-acting, rapid-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting)
- Insulin regimens
- Recipes
I don't have diabetes, but I've seen similar percentages from different sources. I've never seen the figure 95% before, but I've seen estimates that are all pretty high. Dr Bernstein goes on to say that—even today—deaths related to diabetes is probably way underreported. For example, if you die from stoke, sepsis, heart attack, etc, then your death will be attributed to the proximal cause, not necessarily the underlying diabetes that caused the eventual pathophysiologies.
I feel like diabetes will overwhelm the health industry, will break Medicare and Medicaid, and will emerge in the next few decades, not as an epidemic, but as a pandemic of epic proportions. Governments will struggle to survive; civilization may even teeter with a 95% rate of incidence. It's from this macabre personal forecast that I felt compelled to learn a little more than I already do about diabetes.
This is not the book to read if you're interested in diabetes forecasting, the science of future treatment, medical perspectives, or public policy regarding diabetes. Instead, it's a book that outlines, in great detail, personal treatment regimens. Dr. Bernstein has had Type I diabetes for over 50 years, and the treatment he writes about are methods that he has followed himself. In fact, he developed his insulin regimen and diet in the absence of what he felt was sufficient diabetic treatment back in the Jurassic period of diabetic knowledge--the 60's, 70's, and 80's. He offers recommendations that differ dramatically from standard diabetic treatment, for both Type I and II. Dr Bernstein makes clear up front that his book will offer advice that other clinicians may not fully support. For proof that it does work, however, he offers as testimony the thousands of patients that have journeyed to find him and learn his practices. And for people who have had little success with traditional practices, Dr Bernstein's methods must seem like a God-send.
Again, I'm not a diabetic, nor do I have one in the family, but eventually I will. This book will humble you to the insulin and food restrictions followed by most diabetics. It also taught me that diabetes is not unsurvivable; on the contrary, Dr Bernstein has described how easily it can be mitigated. His overall thesis is something he calls 'The Law of Small Numbers.' In a nutshell, it's much easier and healthier to deal with your glucose levels when you're administering small amounts, but much more frequently. In Bernstein's words on page 102: the "name of the game for the diabetic in achieving blood sugar normalization is predictability." So, yes, more injections, but a less maundering blood sugar level throughout the day.
Here's some high points:
- How and when to measure blood sugars
- Establishing treatment plans
- What you've been taught about diet is probably wrong (carbs = bad; protein = good)
- Pros/cons of Insulin Sensitizing Agents & Insulin Mimetic Agents
- Unique exercise program which helps with insulin dose absorption & timing
- Types of insulin (most-rapid-acting, rapid-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting)
- Insulin regimens
- Recipes
August 23, 2012
Are you on the road to diabetes? A simple way to know you have this problem is if you have excess body fat around your waist. That means your insulin levels are out of control. Insulin is the fat storage hormone. Diabetes is a disease in which a person has high blood sugar, either because the body does not produce enough insulin, or because cells do not respond to the insulin that is produced.
After reading this book I went and bought a blood sugar monitor. I started testing my blood sugar five times a day to see what the food I ate was doing to me. I found that I cannot handle carbohydrates (carbohydrate means foods such as cereals, bread, and pasta or simple carbohydrates, such as sugar (found in candy, jams, and desserts). I have a pre-diabetes condition and I wouldn't have realized this unless I started testing my blood sugar.
This book is a must read for anyone who has diabetes or pre-diabetes with metabolic syndrome or syndrome x (metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal cholesterol levels). This book can help you prevent getting diabetes or help you from developing some of the devastating health problems that come with uncontrolled diabetes. Read the rest of my review here: http://audrey-iwascurious.blogspot.co...
After reading this book I went and bought a blood sugar monitor. I started testing my blood sugar five times a day to see what the food I ate was doing to me. I found that I cannot handle carbohydrates (carbohydrate means foods such as cereals, bread, and pasta or simple carbohydrates, such as sugar (found in candy, jams, and desserts). I have a pre-diabetes condition and I wouldn't have realized this unless I started testing my blood sugar.
This book is a must read for anyone who has diabetes or pre-diabetes with metabolic syndrome or syndrome x (metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions — increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal cholesterol levels). This book can help you prevent getting diabetes or help you from developing some of the devastating health problems that come with uncontrolled diabetes. Read the rest of my review here: http://audrey-iwascurious.blogspot.co...
August 6, 2011
This is an extremely useful, detailed book that presents a low-carbohydrate diet that will keep your blood sugars down to normal levels.
Dr. Bernstein has himself suffered from diabetes from the age of 12, and he describes how his health deteriorated due to lack of proper treatment, until he suffered from several dangerous complications resulting from the disorder. He had to find out how to normalize his blood sugars himself, and this he did. This normalization resulted in his getting rid of most of the complications. Then he had to go to medical school at the late age of 45 in order to be able to treat and help other diabetes patients. Because of all this I have great respect for him. He has devoted his life to helping diabetes sufferers all over the world.
Bernstein advises that we must follow a diet based on eating 6g of carbohydrate for breakfast, 12 g for lunch and 12g for supper.He lists which foods are acceptable and which are "No, no". There is also a chapter presenting recipe suggestions near the end of the book.
I personally have been much helped by this book, since despite my suffering clear signs of the illness, both high and low blood sugars, my doctor told me my tests were completely normal, and I had no problems of this sort whatsoever. An "alternative" (in this country) scanning method (actually a wholly scientiic method used in Russia and other Eastern European countries in hospitals and by doctors for over 20 years) confirmed my own diagnosis - auto-immune, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. I suffer also from pains in my toes. Because of the lack of official diagnosis I am unable to get free testing equipment or strips.
However Dr Bernstein has confirmed my own and the scanning apparatus' diagnosis. My HcbA-IC value was 5.5%, which is equivalent to a blood sugar reading of 120 mg/dl. The HgbA-IC value is 4.2% in non-diabetics, this being equivalent to 83 mg/dl. On researching the matter Bernstein found that persons having a blood sugar level of 90 mg/dl or over had a higher mortality than those having a level under 90 mg/dl.
I was also helped by the author's explanation as to why I felt shaky and weak in the morning as if I had low blood sugar, when actually it was 120 mg/dl. This is apparently a common phenomenon. It feels like low blood sugar only in comparison with the high blood sugars one experiences after eating.
The author goes into extreme detail about the various types of insulin available, how and when to painlessly inject and so on. This information will be extremely useful to those who use insulin. There are also helpful chapters about hypoglycemia, gastroparesis (delayed stomach-emptying) and exercise, among other things.
Since I can't get insulin, and wouldn't want to use it anyway, I appreciate the author's tip that R-alpha lipoic acid when used together with evening primrose oil mimics the effect of insulin and can help to reduce blood sugars (though ALA reduces the body's levels of biotin, which should thus be taken at the same time).
Bernstein's main quality is the immense detail of his explanations.
This said, I would like to note a few negative points. He advocates the use of micro-wave ovens, which are known to destroy the life-energy in food subjected to them. And he also recommends the use of aspartame, Splenda and other artifical sweeteners documented as being harmful. It is as though he knows everything about how to counteract the harmful effects of diabetes, but is not so aware of other threats to our health.
Moreover, since he himself suffers from beta-cell burnout, he doesn't really go into the possibilities of healing the pancreas by natural methods and thus increasing the production of insulin. The author's beta cells may or may not be beyond repair, but this will not be the case with many others reading the book.
For information about such natural methods i would advise the reading of Cass Ingram's book "Natural cures for diabetes" in conjunction with this book. But I absolutely recommend that you read this book too, especially if you use insulin.
Dr. Bernstein has himself suffered from diabetes from the age of 12, and he describes how his health deteriorated due to lack of proper treatment, until he suffered from several dangerous complications resulting from the disorder. He had to find out how to normalize his blood sugars himself, and this he did. This normalization resulted in his getting rid of most of the complications. Then he had to go to medical school at the late age of 45 in order to be able to treat and help other diabetes patients. Because of all this I have great respect for him. He has devoted his life to helping diabetes sufferers all over the world.
Bernstein advises that we must follow a diet based on eating 6g of carbohydrate for breakfast, 12 g for lunch and 12g for supper.He lists which foods are acceptable and which are "No, no". There is also a chapter presenting recipe suggestions near the end of the book.
I personally have been much helped by this book, since despite my suffering clear signs of the illness, both high and low blood sugars, my doctor told me my tests were completely normal, and I had no problems of this sort whatsoever. An "alternative" (in this country) scanning method (actually a wholly scientiic method used in Russia and other Eastern European countries in hospitals and by doctors for over 20 years) confirmed my own diagnosis - auto-immune, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. I suffer also from pains in my toes. Because of the lack of official diagnosis I am unable to get free testing equipment or strips.
However Dr Bernstein has confirmed my own and the scanning apparatus' diagnosis. My HcbA-IC value was 5.5%, which is equivalent to a blood sugar reading of 120 mg/dl. The HgbA-IC value is 4.2% in non-diabetics, this being equivalent to 83 mg/dl. On researching the matter Bernstein found that persons having a blood sugar level of 90 mg/dl or over had a higher mortality than those having a level under 90 mg/dl.
I was also helped by the author's explanation as to why I felt shaky and weak in the morning as if I had low blood sugar, when actually it was 120 mg/dl. This is apparently a common phenomenon. It feels like low blood sugar only in comparison with the high blood sugars one experiences after eating.
The author goes into extreme detail about the various types of insulin available, how and when to painlessly inject and so on. This information will be extremely useful to those who use insulin. There are also helpful chapters about hypoglycemia, gastroparesis (delayed stomach-emptying) and exercise, among other things.
Since I can't get insulin, and wouldn't want to use it anyway, I appreciate the author's tip that R-alpha lipoic acid when used together with evening primrose oil mimics the effect of insulin and can help to reduce blood sugars (though ALA reduces the body's levels of biotin, which should thus be taken at the same time).
Bernstein's main quality is the immense detail of his explanations.
This said, I would like to note a few negative points. He advocates the use of micro-wave ovens, which are known to destroy the life-energy in food subjected to them. And he also recommends the use of aspartame, Splenda and other artifical sweeteners documented as being harmful. It is as though he knows everything about how to counteract the harmful effects of diabetes, but is not so aware of other threats to our health.
Moreover, since he himself suffers from beta-cell burnout, he doesn't really go into the possibilities of healing the pancreas by natural methods and thus increasing the production of insulin. The author's beta cells may or may not be beyond repair, but this will not be the case with many others reading the book.
For information about such natural methods i would advise the reading of Cass Ingram's book "Natural cures for diabetes" in conjunction with this book. But I absolutely recommend that you read this book too, especially if you use insulin.
November 15, 2011
This book is almost exactly what I wanted. I have Pre-diabetes and having been inching to diabetes since my late twenties. I have been struggling to understand how much carbohydrates I should limit myself to and also what those carbohydrates are. Since I have never reached diabetes in my blood sugar readings, I never was qualified for the free diabetes training offered at hospitals. Also, I couldn't afford to pay for it.
Dr. Richard K. Bernstein boils everything down in simple and not confusing language. He has Diabetes Type I and was never able to control it using the guidelines that were offered when he was young. He decided to figure out what works for him and from that sprang his plan that can be used by most diabetics.
He explained the effects of blood sugar are on our bones, skin, moods and joints. He discussed the tests that should be used for the initial workup-including one that I have never had. I will discuss that one with my doctor on the next appointment.
He also provides a list of prescription and none prescription medicines that can raise your blood sugar.I found one that I take twice a day so I will discuss with my doctor if it can be changed.
I learned so much from this book but there were a few drawbacks. I wished for more recipes in the back, I am not sure that I agree with him on the use of malodextrin. Since I checked many websites on it with opposing views, I am now confused as to whether I should avoid it. Also, can I totally give up bread and all baked goods and fruit? I will cut down but can I totally eliminate it? I think I will slowly cut down and eliminaate the foods that he said are "No No". And I will look for and increase the foods that he says are safe for diabetics.
Also in Chapter 13, he lists three exceptions to people who can do fine on his diet plan. I have one of the conditions and a possible second one that he lists. However he only discusses solutions for the third exception so I am left hanging with the question of what do I do?
Beyond that I really love the clear language and the way that he explained things that I have been confused about for years.
I recommend this book for all people with diabetes and pre-Diabetes.
I won this book from GoodReads and received it from the publishers but that in no way influenced my review.
Dr. Richard K. Bernstein boils everything down in simple and not confusing language. He has Diabetes Type I and was never able to control it using the guidelines that were offered when he was young. He decided to figure out what works for him and from that sprang his plan that can be used by most diabetics.
He explained the effects of blood sugar are on our bones, skin, moods and joints. He discussed the tests that should be used for the initial workup-including one that I have never had. I will discuss that one with my doctor on the next appointment.
He also provides a list of prescription and none prescription medicines that can raise your blood sugar.I found one that I take twice a day so I will discuss with my doctor if it can be changed.
I learned so much from this book but there were a few drawbacks. I wished for more recipes in the back, I am not sure that I agree with him on the use of malodextrin. Since I checked many websites on it with opposing views, I am now confused as to whether I should avoid it. Also, can I totally give up bread and all baked goods and fruit? I will cut down but can I totally eliminate it? I think I will slowly cut down and eliminaate the foods that he said are "No No". And I will look for and increase the foods that he says are safe for diabetics.
Also in Chapter 13, he lists three exceptions to people who can do fine on his diet plan. I have one of the conditions and a possible second one that he lists. However he only discusses solutions for the third exception so I am left hanging with the question of what do I do?
Beyond that I really love the clear language and the way that he explained things that I have been confused about for years.
I recommend this book for all people with diabetes and pre-Diabetes.
I won this book from GoodReads and received it from the publishers but that in no way influenced my review.
December 16, 2012
Dr. Bernstein is in his 70s (as of 2007 when this book was published) and has been a type-1 diabetic for much of his life. He has found that the best way to control diabetes and its deleterious effects is to keep one’s blood sugar at an even keel and prevent spikes and drops that can wreak havoc on body tissues, organs, and systems (what eventually come to be called ‘diabetic complications’). He hopes to reach outside the physical scope of his practice with this book to others who can benefit from his research and teachings – it is the information and training that each of his patients receive when they enter into his care. His methods include a diabetic-specific diet (catered to the individual’s tastes, but essentially low-no carb), exercise (highly recommended), and insulin injections/diabetic medications administered to help keep blood sugars steady and within a certain range (as determined by the patient’s physician and adjusted accordingly).
I am not a diabetic, and I picked this up because the threat (almost the inevitability) of diabetes looms so large in our society. The diet Dr. Bernstein espouses may be just what non-diabetics need to follow in order to remain diabetes-free. I skimmed or skipped much of the sections on diabetic medication (as they aren’t pertinent to me), so I can’t comment on those, but if I had diabetes, this is definitely the book I would start with, and I will definitely recommend it others. Dr. Bernstein wants to empower diabetics to take control of their disease, and in the case of many type-2 diabetics, overcome it. It can be done.
I am not a diabetic, and I picked this up because the threat (almost the inevitability) of diabetes looms so large in our society. The diet Dr. Bernstein espouses may be just what non-diabetics need to follow in order to remain diabetes-free. I skimmed or skipped much of the sections on diabetic medication (as they aren’t pertinent to me), so I can’t comment on those, but if I had diabetes, this is definitely the book I would start with, and I will definitely recommend it others. Dr. Bernstein wants to empower diabetics to take control of their disease, and in the case of many type-2 diabetics, overcome it. It can be done.
February 18, 2008
This book has led me to a change in my food intake and approach to managing my Type 2 insulin-resistant diabetes. Though I’ve not gone as low-carb as Bernstein promotes (i.e., 30 gm per day), I’ve cut way back to perhaps 60+ gm per day — and the lower I go, the better my blood sugar numbers are. I’m seeking to minimize blood sugar surges after meals, as well as to keep my overall blood sugar levels (A1C) as near ‘normal’ as possible. I’m seeking to do this in concert with training to walk a marathon again, so I’m also experimenting with maintaining my long-term endurance while on this low-carb high-fat diet. So far, excellent — though it is certainly a head-twister to so fundamentally change my way of eating ...
Bernstein makes abundant sense, even though he goes counter to the established rhetoric of a high-carb diet for diabetics. (Why on earth would the American Diabetes Association insist that diabetics eat a high-carb diet when the very substance we can’t handle is carbohydrates? Is there any wonder that high-carb intake doesn’t work very well, except under high levels of medication? ... Duh!!!)
Bernstein makes abundant sense, even though he goes counter to the established rhetoric of a high-carb diet for diabetics. (Why on earth would the American Diabetes Association insist that diabetics eat a high-carb diet when the very substance we can’t handle is carbohydrates? Is there any wonder that high-carb intake doesn’t work very well, except under high levels of medication? ... Duh!!!)
November 9, 2007
Nobody does it like Dr. Bernstein, the guy who made testing your blood sugar fashionable and conceivable.
He's hardheaded, one track minded and impeccable, and if you follow everything in this book, it is actually possible to achieve normal blood sugars. This doesn't mean you should listen to everything he says; for instance, he doesn't believe in most vitamin supplementation (consult Ray Kurzweill on that question) and more than that, he's an extremist-- the ultimate Blood Sugar Perfectionist, which is not possible for most people in most situations. There's no room here for any middle ground. But his book is so chock full of suggestions and details that you literally will not read anywhere else, nor will you hear from your doctor. And these details are important ones because they are tested on himself and on his patients and they work. Even following his precepts partially can lead to a big improvement in BG control.
He's hardheaded, one track minded and impeccable, and if you follow everything in this book, it is actually possible to achieve normal blood sugars. This doesn't mean you should listen to everything he says; for instance, he doesn't believe in most vitamin supplementation (consult Ray Kurzweill on that question) and more than that, he's an extremist-- the ultimate Blood Sugar Perfectionist, which is not possible for most people in most situations. There's no room here for any middle ground. But his book is so chock full of suggestions and details that you literally will not read anywhere else, nor will you hear from your doctor. And these details are important ones because they are tested on himself and on his patients and they work. Even following his precepts partially can lead to a big improvement in BG control.
February 8, 2012
In the interest of full disclosure, I received a free copy of this book through GoodReads.
Dr. Bernstein's book is an absolute God-send. As a non-diabetic caring for a family member with diabetes, a proper education is difficult to obtain. Dr. Bernstein explains the changes the body goes through, differing methods of treatment, easy solutions for potentially serious problems, handling sugar fluctuations, and even provides menus and recipes!
Having read a good number of books on the subject in my efforts to become familiar with how to manage care, Diabetes Solution is by far the most comprehensive, easy to understand, informative compilation. This is a book that will stay on my kitchen counter. Thank you Dr. Bernstein!
Dr. Bernstein's book is an absolute God-send. As a non-diabetic caring for a family member with diabetes, a proper education is difficult to obtain. Dr. Bernstein explains the changes the body goes through, differing methods of treatment, easy solutions for potentially serious problems, handling sugar fluctuations, and even provides menus and recipes!
Having read a good number of books on the subject in my efforts to become familiar with how to manage care, Diabetes Solution is by far the most comprehensive, easy to understand, informative compilation. This is a book that will stay on my kitchen counter. Thank you Dr. Bernstein!
May 31, 2017
Преди време в кабинета на личната ми лекарка загледах един плакат, който обясняваше на диабетиците как да смятат единиците инсулин, които да си инжектират, според "хлебните единици" въглехидрати, които изяждат.
Стана ми любопитно и питах докторката дали правилно съм сметнал, че ако съм един диабетик и изям днес 300 г. въглехидрати, трябва да си инжектирам 30 единици инсулин (примерно, не помня точните пропорции на плаката). Тя каза да точно така. Тогава, питах аз, значи ако изям 100 г. въглехидрати, ще трябва да инжектирам 10 единици. Да, правилно. Замислих се и попитах, ами значи ако не ям въглехидрати днес, няма нужда да си инжектирам инсулин, така ли?
Логичен въпрос, но лекарката ми се замисли и каза "Хм, никога не съм се замисляла. Вероятно не.".
Аз не съм диабетик, но от известно време експериментирам с нисковъглехидратно хранене и винаги съм се чудел дали диабетиците няма да имат полза от него, по гореописаната логика. Оказва се, че не съм бил никак далеч от истината, както потвърждава д-р Бернщайн.
Всъщност, Ричард Бернщайн не започва житейската си история като лекар, а като диабетик - роден е с диабет тип 1. Учи медицина чак на 40 години, за да добави медицински и теоретични познатия към това, което практически вече сам е открил - че ако намали въглехидратите в храната си, може да намали и инсулина, от който се нуждае и така да стабилизира нивата на кръвната си захар до нормалните.
Звучи съвсем логично, но това не е начинът, приет в медицинската практика за управляване на диабета (той не се лекува). Напротив, както у нас, така и навсякъде по света, лекар��те съветват диабетиците да се хранят с високовъглехидратна диета, като само избягват захарта. Това, разбира се, води до нуждата от големи дози инсулин, които правят стабилизирането на нивата на кръвна захар невъзможно - тя рязко се покачва и пада през деня, в зависимост от храненето и инжекциите.
Аз лично съм доста скептичен към "алтернативната" медицина и всякакви псевдонаучни глупости, затова даже ми е малко неудобно да говоря по този въпрос. Но науката не е безгрешна, медицината (като практическа дисциплина, базирана на наука) още по-малко, а дисциплините, свързани с храненето - хептен. Наскоро (е, преди 15 години) се оказа, че мазнините и солта не са "убиецът на сърцето" както масово се твърдеше и тоя факт бавно си проправя път в медицинската практика от ��огава.
Обществеността с интерес към здравословния живот и хранене го прие по-навътре и експериментира с нисковъглехидратното хранене отдавна и показа, че то, даже до степен на кетоза, не само не е "убиец" а в много случаи е по-здравословно. Дали нещата ще се променят в отношението на диабет-медицината времето ще покаже но на мен книгата ми изглежда логична и бих препоръчал на диабетиците прочитането й и много внимателни експерименти на база системата на д-р Бернщайн.
Книгата също така съдържа много практически съвети за диабетици, относно тестери за захар, игли, писалки, примерни ястия, информация за храна и т.н.
Стана ми любопитно и питах докторката дали правилно съм сметнал, че ако съм един диабетик и изям днес 300 г. въглехидрати, трябва да си инжектирам 30 единици инсулин (примерно, не помня точните пропорции на плаката). Тя каза да точно така. Тогава, питах аз, значи ако изям 100 г. въглехидрати, ще трябва да инжектирам 10 единици. Да, правилно. Замислих се и попитах, ами значи ако не ям въглехидрати днес, няма нужда да си инжектирам инсулин, така ли?
Логичен въпрос, но лекарката ми се замисли и каза "Хм, никога не съм се замисляла. Вероятно не.".
Аз не съм диабетик, но от известно време експериментирам с нисковъглехидратно хранене и винаги съм се чудел дали диабетиците няма да имат полза от него, по гореописаната логика. Оказва се, че не съм бил никак далеч от истината, както потвърждава д-р Бернщайн.
Всъщност, Ричард Бернщайн не започва житейската си история като лекар, а като диабетик - роден е с диабет тип 1. Учи медицина чак на 40 години, за да добави медицински и теоретични познатия към това, което практически вече сам е открил - че ако намали въглехидратите в храната си, може да намали и инсулина, от който се нуждае и така да стабилизира нивата на кръвната си захар до нормалните.
Звучи съвсем логично, но това не е начинът, приет в медицинската практика за управляване на диабета (той не се лекува). Напротив, както у нас, така и навсякъде по света, лекар��те съветват диабетиците да се хранят с високовъглехидратна диета, като само избягват захарта. Това, разбира се, води до нуждата от големи дози инсулин, които правят стабилизирането на нивата на кръвна захар невъзможно - тя рязко се покачва и пада през деня, в зависимост от храненето и инжекциите.
Аз лично съм доста скептичен към "алтернативната" медицина и всякакви псевдонаучни глупости, затова даже ми е малко неудобно да говоря по този въпрос. Но науката не е безгрешна, медицината (като практическа дисциплина, базирана на наука) още по-малко, а дисциплините, свързани с храненето - хептен. Наскоро (е, преди 15 години) се оказа, че мазнините и солта не са "убиецът на сърцето" както масово се твърдеше и тоя факт бавно си проправя път в медицинската практика от ��огава.
Обществеността с интерес към здравословния живот и хранене го прие по-навътре и експериментира с нисковъглехидратното хранене отдавна и показа, че то, даже до степен на кетоза, не само не е "убиец" а в много случаи е по-здравословно. Дали нещата ще се променят в отношението на диабет-медицината времето ще покаже но на мен книгата ми изглежда логична и бих препоръчал на диабетиците прочитането й и много внимателни експерименти на база системата на д-р Бернщайн.
Книгата също така съдържа много практически съвети за диабетици, относно тестери за захар, игли, писалки, примерни ястия, информация за храна и т.н.
December 14, 2019
Now I can answer the question that my friends always ask me : what is the book that changed your life? Well it's Dr Richard Bernstein book 😍📖
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For those who saw my videos, they already know who Richard Bernstein is. He had diabetes in 1946 when he was 12 years old and he's still alive and active and healthy and kicking ass 😍.
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And how is that possible? Well as he mentioned in his book, he follows the law of small numbers : if you eat just few carbohydrates, you will require little doses of insulin and then you will make very little mistakes.
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This book is the Bible for diabetic people, I followed the protocol detailed in this book for 6 months now, my last a1c is 5.5, a result that I was never able to achieve following my doctor instructions.
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You will find in this book what tests to do, what complications you have to look for, what kind of insulin to use and how to use it, how to avoid hypoglycemia, to manage The dawn phenomenon, how to deal with gastroparesie, what to do when you have dehydration and infection, how to rake care of your feet... How to live a normal active life following the low carb diet.
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I think a review can't be enough, so much informations and interesting things. All I can say is that this book saved my life, like he saved the life of many of people around the world. I'm so grateful that Richard Bernstein exists. I know how it is hard to be controversial in a world that follow guidelines without questioning it.
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I hope this book get translated, every diabetic person need to read it and try to follow the diet and see for himself the results.
.
.
For those who saw my videos, they already know who Richard Bernstein is. He had diabetes in 1946 when he was 12 years old and he's still alive and active and healthy and kicking ass 😍.
.
.
.
And how is that possible? Well as he mentioned in his book, he follows the law of small numbers : if you eat just few carbohydrates, you will require little doses of insulin and then you will make very little mistakes.
.
.
.
This book is the Bible for diabetic people, I followed the protocol detailed in this book for 6 months now, my last a1c is 5.5, a result that I was never able to achieve following my doctor instructions.
.
.
.
You will find in this book what tests to do, what complications you have to look for, what kind of insulin to use and how to use it, how to avoid hypoglycemia, to manage The dawn phenomenon, how to deal with gastroparesie, what to do when you have dehydration and infection, how to rake care of your feet... How to live a normal active life following the low carb diet.
.
.
.
I think a review can't be enough, so much informations and interesting things. All I can say is that this book saved my life, like he saved the life of many of people around the world. I'm so grateful that Richard Bernstein exists. I know how it is hard to be controversial in a world that follow guidelines without questioning it.
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I hope this book get translated, every diabetic person need to read it and try to follow the diet and see for himself the results.
February 22, 2011
Some of this book makes complete sense: carbohydrate raises blood sugar so eating less of it will raise blood sugars to a lesser extent. Other parts are just totally impractical: eat a total of 30g of carb a day, but basically only from a very limited number of vegetables - no fruit, grain products, milk, etc. Just protein, fat and a few vegetables. I have no idea how anyone could stick to this diet and lead a normal active life. In fact I think it is more restrictive than the diet I was recommended on being diagnosed with Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes 24 years ago.
I do however understand the science behind the Bernstein method and can see the benefits to blood sugar control if you follow it religiously, but I do wonder at the lack of variety and the need to take supplements to cover what you are not getting from fruit and "banned" vegetables and other things like calcium from milk. I shall be cutting down on my carbohydrate intake but nowhere near to the extent of Dr Bernstein's suggestions. It is simply unworkable!
I do however understand the science behind the Bernstein method and can see the benefits to blood sugar control if you follow it religiously, but I do wonder at the lack of variety and the need to take supplements to cover what you are not getting from fruit and "banned" vegetables and other things like calcium from milk. I shall be cutting down on my carbohydrate intake but nowhere near to the extent of Dr Bernstein's suggestions. It is simply unworkable!
June 10, 2017
Read it. If you don't get it, read it again. It's easier to read and follow than learning to walk around on one leg with a white cane. I'm not being glib, I'm dead serious. My sister died at 62 due to long-term complications from Type II. If I had known about this book in my 30's, when she was first diagnosed, I would have done anything to get her to listen and follow his advice. My father also had Type II, and while he did not have the same complications as my sister, he did suffer. I am now heading the same way and immediately started on the Bernstein regime. I am seeing results already. It won't cure it, but it will help control it. Think this way...a piece of cake or no toes? A peanut butter sandwich on white bread or blind? Do I want my husband changing my diaper while my amputated leg heals? A resounding hell, no!
Read it, do it.
Read it, do it.
August 17, 2018
In my humble opinion..its unpractical guide for diabetes management. The diet might work for a period of time..but definitely not with a chronic disease like diabetes!
Regardless of the above, the author has put so much effort in the care of diabetes, but his treatment method is what I disagree with.
I do believe that constant normal blood sugar cant be maintained if the target is similar to that of non-diabetic. Carbs are essential to our health (may be the glucose is not essential but other benefits that the carb provides are essential), and Insulin can cover their spiking actions in the blood by introducing it before the mealtime in an appropriate period of time based on the amount and type of macros nutrient in the meal. Dr.Bernstein method is definitely true. But its not the only way ..other methods could work too.
Regardless of the above, the author has put so much effort in the care of diabetes, but his treatment method is what I disagree with.
I do believe that constant normal blood sugar cant be maintained if the target is similar to that of non-diabetic. Carbs are essential to our health (may be the glucose is not essential but other benefits that the carb provides are essential), and Insulin can cover their spiking actions in the blood by introducing it before the mealtime in an appropriate period of time based on the amount and type of macros nutrient in the meal. Dr.Bernstein method is definitely true. But its not the only way ..other methods could work too.
September 24, 2007
Bernstein's story is credible and hopeful. His research brought changes in the field and he continues to offer new and updated info. This book breaks down the problems with having high blood sugar and why it must be reduced, and the dangers of using drugs to accomplish this goal. Bernstein lays out a plan to reduce the blood sugar by suggesting a diet regime that is in opposition of the American Diabetes Association. Many who follow the ADA's reccomended diets are forced onto drugs because the ADA doesn't lower blood sugar. The diabetic I know who followed this diet reversed his sugars in 2 mos to pre diabetic condtions.
November 25, 2011
***This was a Goodreads.com first read contest win!***
I received this as a free book to read and review from the publisher. This book was very interesting. I will admit that I personally do not have diabetes but I have a dear friend that suffers along with her mother. They each have read this book after I finished it and stated that it was wonderful. My friend stated that her and her mother are going to the solution's offered in the book. They even stated they spoke with Dr Bernstein they his monthly chat. Where he offered additional options and advice. For anyone that is suffering with this problem this is a must read.
I received this as a free book to read and review from the publisher. This book was very interesting. I will admit that I personally do not have diabetes but I have a dear friend that suffers along with her mother. They each have read this book after I finished it and stated that it was wonderful. My friend stated that her and her mother are going to the solution's offered in the book. They even stated they spoke with Dr Bernstein they his monthly chat. Where he offered additional options and advice. For anyone that is suffering with this problem this is a must read.
March 22, 2013
Even though I am not diabetic, it runs in my family. I'd heard good things about this book and was not disappointed. The author is a diabetic himself and was originally an engineer but went back to medical school when he became frustrated by the poor advice the medical community was giving him at the time - allowing wide swings in blood glucose, not reducing carbohydrates, etc.
This should be required reading for every diabetic (type 1 or 2) and anyone interested in low-carbohydrate eating in general.
This should be required reading for every diabetic (type 1 or 2) and anyone interested in low-carbohydrate eating in general.
April 25, 2009
I really recommend this book to anyone who has been recently diagnosed with diabetes or even pre-diabetes. If you are pre-diabetic this may keep you from becoming a full blown diabetic who has to take medication. If you already take medication for diabetes this may help you escape the side effects of diabetes.
January 2, 2014
I used to be diabetic, until I put diabetes into remission by eating a low carb diet, and walking. Dr. Bernstein's book helped me understand that I needed to eat 36 grams of carbohydrate or less to control my diabetes. Most Americans eat about 300 grams. I also weigh less from doing his diet.
November 5, 2009
Excellent book and in particular a really great explanation of blood sugar math and the simple mechanics of blood sugar management.
June 19, 2013
This book saved my life.
May 22, 2025
Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: The Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars, Richard K. Bernstein (1934-2025), 4th ed. 2011, 535 pages, ISBN 9780316182690, Dewey 616.462 . See also the book's website, https://www.diabetes-book.com/ Some excerpts from the book here: https://www.diabetes-book.com/read-on...
Insightful and thorough.
"The standard approach was always to tell me to lose weight, to exercise, and to take medication. Dr. Bernstein said the same three things, but his approach to each was radical, especially on the diet. I've lost a lot of weight." p. 19.
"Much of what I cover in this book is in direct opposition to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and other national diabetes associations. If I had followed those guidelines, they would have killed me long ago." pp. xi, 113, 222, 467. [Medical associations are funded by firms with a stake in keeping us sick.] The book's website links to many useful medical articles; here's one by Gary Taubes, "The Soft Science of Dietary Fat," debunking the low-fat orthodoxy: p. 132. https://www.diabetes-book.com/soft-sc...
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." pp. 174-175. "I haven't eaten fruit since 1970, and I'm much healthier for it. Nutrients found in fruits are also found in the vegetables you can safely eat." pp. 141, 155. https://www.diabetes-book.com/elimina...
Whether you have diabetes or not, eat low-carb to avoid the high blood glucose, high triglycerides, high LDL (low-density lipoprotein = bad cholesterol), low HDL (high-density lipoprotein = good cholesterol), and high lipoprotein(a), that lead eventually to blindness, amputations, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and brain bleeds. pp. 113, 466. https://www.diabetes-book.com/authors... See also /Protein Power/, Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades, 1996, for the value of low-carb eating for everyone. p. 113.
TYPE 1? TYPE 2?
Types 1 and 2 diabetes aren't as distinct as is commonly assumed: most type-2 diabetics have some of the loss of insulin-producing ability that characterizes type 1. High blood glucose destroys pancreatic beta cells.
NORMAL BLOOD GLUCOSE
Testing hundreds of nondiabetic adults, the author finds that blood glucose is usually (83 ± 3) mg/dl; normal hemoglobin A1c is 4.2 to 4.6%. Others have found normal blood-glucose levels to be in the 70s. pp. 116, 121-124.
Various formulas for estimating mean blood glucose (mg/dl) from hemoglobin A1c percentage (applicable for the 100-to-200-mg/dl blood-glucose range) p. 123: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=...
For example, hemoglobin A1c of 5% corresponds to blood glucose of about 100 mg/dl. But that's the mean. It's the highs that cause the damage. (High blood glucose damages hemoglobin to mutant form A1c. The percentage of your blood hemoglobin that has been damaged to form A1c reflects your blood glucose over the past 2-3 months.) [None of these formulas can be more than approximate, over some limited range.]
Your blood glucose should be the same after eating as before eating. After-eating spikes in blood glucose cause blood-vessel damage. The American Diabetes Association is wrong to pretend that only fasting blood glucose counts. p. 178.
LOW-CARB
Even dietary fat will be more likely to be stored as body fat if it is accompanied by potatoes, bread, corn, and so on. (Carbs spike insulin, which shoves fat into fat cells and keeps it there.) Fat eaten in a low-carb diet is burned off. p. 134.
You can easily survive on zero carbs. There are essential fatty acids and essential amino acids that we must eat, but there are no essential carbs. p. 139.
Limit carbs to no more than 6 grams at breakfast, 12 grams at lunch, 12 grams at supper, all /slow-acting/ carbs, such as fibrous whole vegetables, salad with oil and wine vinegar, or full-fat plain yogurt. ("Complex" versus "simple" carbs is a meaningless distinction: whole grains become glucose instantly.) p. 178.
FOODS https://www.diabetes-book.com/no-no-f...
PROTEIN
The average nonpregnant, sedentary adult with an ideal body weight of 150 pounds requires about 11.5 ounces per day of high-quality protein food (that is, 69 grams of pure protein--one gram per kg of body weight). Athletes and growing children need much more. p. 203. One ounce of protein food (such as meat) typically has 6 grams of protein. A serving the size of a deck of playing cards is about 3 ounces of food, so 18 grams of protein. pp. 180-181.
DON'T STARVE
If you starve yourself and lose 10 pounds without adequate dietary protein and exercise, you may lose 5 pounds of fat and 5 pounds of muscle. If you gain back that 10 pounds from eating carbohydrate and not exercising, it may all be fat. p. 201.
CHEESE
Calcium-providing foods such as cheese may facilitate weight loss by inhibiting the slowdown in metabolism that may occur when you lose weight. p. 204. Calcium supplements, by contrast, may increase arterial calcification. p. 204.
VITAMINS and MINERALS
Too-high iron can cause insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. p. 58.
Vitamin C is important, but above 400 mg/day becomes an oxidant rather than an antioxidant and can cause neuropathies. Above 500 mg/day can raise blood sugar. Use no more than 250 mg/day, timed-release only. pp. 69, 173.
Vitamin B-12 and folic acid supplements, as a treatment for elevated homocysteine, actually increased mortality. p. 61.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause insulin resistance. p. 64.
SMALL MEALS
Small meals give lower blood-sugar swings. p. 114.
DATA SHEET
To record blood glucose, meals, etc: GlucograF IV data sheet, pdf here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gEyg...
TEST FOOD
Diastix test sticks, made to test for glucose in urine, are useful for testing prepared or restaurant foods for sugar or flour. Put a small amount of the food in your mouth, chew if solid; mix with saliva, spit it onto the test strip. Enzymes in saliva release the glucose or starch. This shows glucose only--Diastix don't react to fructose nor to lactose. pp. 76, 147-148.
FOOD LABELS
Food labels are permitted a margin of error of plus or minus 20 percent. p. 109. And plus or minus .5 gram. p. 168.
CURB CARBOHYDRATE CRAVING
NERVE HEALING
Insulin-mimetic antioxidants R-alpha lipoic acid (R-ALA) and evening primrose oil (EPO) heal neuropathy of the feet. p. 399.
WARNING:
Cancer cells can thrive on antioxidants. If you have a family or personal history of any form of cancer, it would be wise to steer clear of R-ALA and other antioxidants. p. 252.
Gentian violet solution is a safe, effective antiseptic for feet. p. 497.
HOSPITAL STAYS
Hospitals normally make no effort to control a patient's blood sugar; they commonly use intravenous glucose when it's contraindicated. Dr. Bernstein gives us a template for a letter to be sent to the admitting physician, copy to the hospital administrator, demanding appropriate care and threatening legal action in its absence. pp. 482-483.
Insightful and thorough.
"The standard approach was always to tell me to lose weight, to exercise, and to take medication. Dr. Bernstein said the same three things, but his approach to each was radical, especially on the diet. I've lost a lot of weight." p. 19.
"Much of what I cover in this book is in direct opposition to the recommendations of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and other national diabetes associations. If I had followed those guidelines, they would have killed me long ago." pp. xi, 113, 222, 467. [Medical associations are funded by firms with a stake in keeping us sick.] The book's website links to many useful medical articles; here's one by Gary Taubes, "The Soft Science of Dietary Fat," debunking the low-fat orthodoxy: p. 132. https://www.diabetes-book.com/soft-sc...
"My mouth waters whenever I pass a bakery shop and sniff the aroma of fresh bread, but I am also grateful simply to be alive and sniffing." pp. 174-175. "I haven't eaten fruit since 1970, and I'm much healthier for it. Nutrients found in fruits are also found in the vegetables you can safely eat." pp. 141, 155. https://www.diabetes-book.com/elimina...
Whether you have diabetes or not, eat low-carb to avoid the high blood glucose, high triglycerides, high LDL (low-density lipoprotein = bad cholesterol), low HDL (high-density lipoprotein = good cholesterol), and high lipoprotein(a), that lead eventually to blindness, amputations, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and brain bleeds. pp. 113, 466. https://www.diabetes-book.com/authors... See also /Protein Power/, Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades, 1996, for the value of low-carb eating for everyone. p. 113.
TYPE 1? TYPE 2?
Types 1 and 2 diabetes aren't as distinct as is commonly assumed: most type-2 diabetics have some of the loss of insulin-producing ability that characterizes type 1. High blood glucose destroys pancreatic beta cells.
NORMAL BLOOD GLUCOSE
Testing hundreds of nondiabetic adults, the author finds that blood glucose is usually (83 ± 3) mg/dl; normal hemoglobin A1c is 4.2 to 4.6%. Others have found normal blood-glucose levels to be in the 70s. pp. 116, 121-124.
Various formulas for estimating mean blood glucose (mg/dl) from hemoglobin A1c percentage (applicable for the 100-to-200-mg/dl blood-glucose range) p. 123: https://www.wolframalpha.com/input?i=...
For example, hemoglobin A1c of 5% corresponds to blood glucose of about 100 mg/dl. But that's the mean. It's the highs that cause the damage. (High blood glucose damages hemoglobin to mutant form A1c. The percentage of your blood hemoglobin that has been damaged to form A1c reflects your blood glucose over the past 2-3 months.) [None of these formulas can be more than approximate, over some limited range.]
Your blood glucose should be the same after eating as before eating. After-eating spikes in blood glucose cause blood-vessel damage. The American Diabetes Association is wrong to pretend that only fasting blood glucose counts. p. 178.
LOW-CARB
Even dietary fat will be more likely to be stored as body fat if it is accompanied by potatoes, bread, corn, and so on. (Carbs spike insulin, which shoves fat into fat cells and keeps it there.) Fat eaten in a low-carb diet is burned off. p. 134.
You can easily survive on zero carbs. There are essential fatty acids and essential amino acids that we must eat, but there are no essential carbs. p. 139.
Limit carbs to no more than 6 grams at breakfast, 12 grams at lunch, 12 grams at supper, all /slow-acting/ carbs, such as fibrous whole vegetables, salad with oil and wine vinegar, or full-fat plain yogurt. ("Complex" versus "simple" carbs is a meaningless distinction: whole grains become glucose instantly.) p. 178.
FOODS https://www.diabetes-book.com/no-no-f...
PROTEIN
The average nonpregnant, sedentary adult with an ideal body weight of 150 pounds requires about 11.5 ounces per day of high-quality protein food (that is, 69 grams of pure protein--one gram per kg of body weight). Athletes and growing children need much more. p. 203. One ounce of protein food (such as meat) typically has 6 grams of protein. A serving the size of a deck of playing cards is about 3 ounces of food, so 18 grams of protein. pp. 180-181.
DON'T STARVE
If you starve yourself and lose 10 pounds without adequate dietary protein and exercise, you may lose 5 pounds of fat and 5 pounds of muscle. If you gain back that 10 pounds from eating carbohydrate and not exercising, it may all be fat. p. 201.
CHEESE
Calcium-providing foods such as cheese may facilitate weight loss by inhibiting the slowdown in metabolism that may occur when you lose weight. p. 204. Calcium supplements, by contrast, may increase arterial calcification. p. 204.
VITAMINS and MINERALS
Too-high iron can cause insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. p. 58.
Vitamin C is important, but above 400 mg/day becomes an oxidant rather than an antioxidant and can cause neuropathies. Above 500 mg/day can raise blood sugar. Use no more than 250 mg/day, timed-release only. pp. 69, 173.
Vitamin B-12 and folic acid supplements, as a treatment for elevated homocysteine, actually increased mortality. p. 61.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause insulin resistance. p. 64.
SMALL MEALS
Small meals give lower blood-sugar swings. p. 114.
DATA SHEET
To record blood glucose, meals, etc: GlucograF IV data sheet, pdf here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gEyg...
TEST FOOD
Diastix test sticks, made to test for glucose in urine, are useful for testing prepared or restaurant foods for sugar or flour. Put a small amount of the food in your mouth, chew if solid; mix with saliva, spit it onto the test strip. Enzymes in saliva release the glucose or starch. This shows glucose only--Diastix don't react to fructose nor to lactose. pp. 76, 147-148.
FOOD LABELS
Food labels are permitted a margin of error of plus or minus 20 percent. p. 109. And plus or minus .5 gram. p. 168.
CURB CARBOHYDRATE CRAVING
NERVE HEALING
Insulin-mimetic antioxidants R-alpha lipoic acid (R-ALA) and evening primrose oil (EPO) heal neuropathy of the feet. p. 399.
WARNING:
Cancer cells can thrive on antioxidants. If you have a family or personal history of any form of cancer, it would be wise to steer clear of R-ALA and other antioxidants. p. 252.
Gentian violet solution is a safe, effective antiseptic for feet. p. 497.
HOSPITAL STAYS
Hospitals normally make no effort to control a patient's blood sugar; they commonly use intravenous glucose when it's contraindicated. Dr. Bernstein gives us a template for a letter to be sent to the admitting physician, copy to the hospital administrator, demanding appropriate care and threatening legal action in its absence. pp. 482-483.
August 30, 2021
This is an excellent book that is full of actionable information and ideas for people with diabetes of any type. I wish doctors would give newly diagnosed people this book when telling them that they will be living with diabetes. This book, unlike many others in the genre, is written by a Doctor Who has also lived with diabetes for over 70 years. He understands firsthand what it is like to manage all of the spinning plates that we juggle when living with diabetes. I sincerely believe that if I had been given this book as a young woman, I would not be in the shape I am in today. There were things my parents didn’t know when I was growing up with diabetes, and I did a terrible job of managing it as a young person because of my ignorance. Now that I have implemented many of the things in this book, I have blood sugars that are nearly normal, and I have test values that are just barely over the line of being diabetic. I never thought this was possible. Though dr. Bernstein does not recommend using a pump, I already had started using one when I read the book. I was able to use the information in the book to achieve very good blood sugar control with my pump, and I am grateful for the recipes and the meal suggestions that he has shared in this book.,
February 3, 2019
I was skeptical at first, but this really is a life changing book that all diabetics (type 1 and 2) should read. I have been a type 1 diabetic for about 20 years now. I do not agree with everything that Dr. Bernstein says, but I have absolutely no doubt that his Law of Small Numbers (eating very few carbohydrates) is the best chance any diabetic has at normal blood glucose levels and life (not a typo, I do mean life itself).
Dr. Bernstein is a type 1 diabetic himself. His method is easily summed up: eat very little carbohydrates (6g for breakfast, 12g for lunch and dinner each) with the amount of protein that works for you, avoid snacking, and keep the carbohydrate and protein amounts consistent for each meal from day to day. The book goes into much detail on how to achieve this and much more, such as exercise, weight loss, illness, complications, and tests for health assessment. There are also appendices that provide scientific detail about the effects of a high fat and protein diet on the body, which I really appreciated.
There are a few things I did not agree with. First and foremost, this quote from the book about setting insulin rates: "it shouldn't be necessary for you to perform any of the above calculations on your own. This is the job of your health care professional." I feel this statement discourages people from taking an active part in their care. He recommends visiting your endocrinologist every two months, and his advocation for consistent meals does eliminate a lot of variation, but not all. Therefore it is important to educate patients and encourage them to change their rates in a safe manner if they do not work, and do not wait two months for their doctor to do it!
He describes most things in extensive detail, yet he only dedicated half a page to nutritional ketosis, and then in a far later chapter described DKA, but never really put the two side by side to compare. I found this very surprising considering the low carb nature of the proposed diet which despite the high protein might very well be ketogenic. And since he describes everything else in such detail, I consider this to be a major omission.
I was disappointed at his disapproval of modern diabetes technology, such as insulin pumps. Granted, the edition I read is now about 8 years old, but still. I don't believe he provided the reader with an objective argument against such devices. When talking about insulin pumps, he offered 3 pros and 12 cons. Furthermore, despite talking about a single patient needing to use different types of insulin in different situations with injections, and diluting insulin because of the difficulty of accurate dosing with very small amounts of insulin, the fact that pumps are capable of such accurate dosing didn't even make it into the pro list.
As for the writing, I think it was quite repetitive, but perhaps that was intentional. The style of constant referrals to things you will read on future pages really bothered me.
But these are quite minor points compared to the earth shattering thesis of the book: diabetics can have consistent normal blood glucose levels!
Dr. Bernstein is a type 1 diabetic himself. His method is easily summed up: eat very little carbohydrates (6g for breakfast, 12g for lunch and dinner each) with the amount of protein that works for you, avoid snacking, and keep the carbohydrate and protein amounts consistent for each meal from day to day. The book goes into much detail on how to achieve this and much more, such as exercise, weight loss, illness, complications, and tests for health assessment. There are also appendices that provide scientific detail about the effects of a high fat and protein diet on the body, which I really appreciated.
There are a few things I did not agree with. First and foremost, this quote from the book about setting insulin rates: "it shouldn't be necessary for you to perform any of the above calculations on your own. This is the job of your health care professional." I feel this statement discourages people from taking an active part in their care. He recommends visiting your endocrinologist every two months, and his advocation for consistent meals does eliminate a lot of variation, but not all. Therefore it is important to educate patients and encourage them to change their rates in a safe manner if they do not work, and do not wait two months for their doctor to do it!
He describes most things in extensive detail, yet he only dedicated half a page to nutritional ketosis, and then in a far later chapter described DKA, but never really put the two side by side to compare. I found this very surprising considering the low carb nature of the proposed diet which despite the high protein might very well be ketogenic. And since he describes everything else in such detail, I consider this to be a major omission.
I was disappointed at his disapproval of modern diabetes technology, such as insulin pumps. Granted, the edition I read is now about 8 years old, but still. I don't believe he provided the reader with an objective argument against such devices. When talking about insulin pumps, he offered 3 pros and 12 cons. Furthermore, despite talking about a single patient needing to use different types of insulin in different situations with injections, and diluting insulin because of the difficulty of accurate dosing with very small amounts of insulin, the fact that pumps are capable of such accurate dosing didn't even make it into the pro list.
As for the writing, I think it was quite repetitive, but perhaps that was intentional. The style of constant referrals to things you will read on future pages really bothered me.
But these are quite minor points compared to the earth shattering thesis of the book: diabetics can have consistent normal blood glucose levels!
July 24, 2024
Last fall, I was going over my annual labwork and noticed that my A1C had increased over the years from 5.6 to 5.8 (A1C is a 3-month average of the body’s blood glucose level). Yikes! 5.8 is the beginning of “pre-diabetes” level. My doctor wasn’t concerned, but since I have relatives who are diabetic and I like to be proactive when possible, I decided to get educated.
Many people who are pre-diabetic (or even fully diabetic) opt to just take medication and eat as they already do. But, diabetes is largely a lifestyle condition (I say largely because genetics do play a role). Much of it can be eliminated or at least improved with diet. For years, the thinking was that you should eat less sugar, or eliminate it altogether. Now though, we know that any carbohydrate turns to glucose in our bodies, and that’s what causes issues if you have insulin resistance (a hallmark of diabetes). All carbs: meaning bread, pasta, rice, and yes even vegetables like potatoes. This is not an eating plan for the faint of heart!
I checked out Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution due to seeing it praised by a guy I follow on Facebook. He’s a type 1 diabetic who has managed his condition for about 20 years by diet alone. His A1C is currently 4.3 I think. This is amazing! This book is a great reference because it’s written by a doctor who is also a type 1 diabetic and who is currently living a healthy life in his 90s — which must say something for his regimen.
He goes through the science of insulin and how the body works. There are many recipes, ways he treats diabetic patients, and much more. It’s easy to skip chapters that don’t apply to your situation. I learned a lot from the book.
A difficult thing for me is that my ldl cholesterol is high (although the other aspects of my cholesterol are fine). When I tried low-carb eating, my A1C improved but my ldl cholesterol went up. So, in addition to low-carb, I still try to eat low-fat too. This leaves only protein — and I honestly don’t enjoy meat that much! I have lost weight on this type of eating (trust me, if you eat few carbs — you will lose weight!) although I haven’t even had that as a goal. I’m still learning what I can eat and trying to fine-tune lab results. Aging is not easy, that’s for sure!
Why should I (or you, if blood glucose is an issue for you) care enough to do this? It’s not just that I’m chasing a lower A1C for the heck of it. This book goes into detail about what high A1C levels do to a person over time. It’s the author’s opinion that the current “acceptable” level of 5.6 is even way too high, and he details the damage done to kidneys, eyes, and extremities at A1C levels over 5. Yes, over 5! Yikes. He contends that a good A1C level is in the 4’s. I haven’t been there since I first started having annual bloodwork done, and really — no wonder. Low-carb eating rules out bread on sandwiches, rolls, potatoes, rice, noodles — so many things that are the foundation of most American meals.
I know that none of us escape this life alive 🙂 But, I hope to do what I can to age as healthily as I can. I learned a lot and found a lot of useful information in this book.
Many people who are pre-diabetic (or even fully diabetic) opt to just take medication and eat as they already do. But, diabetes is largely a lifestyle condition (I say largely because genetics do play a role). Much of it can be eliminated or at least improved with diet. For years, the thinking was that you should eat less sugar, or eliminate it altogether. Now though, we know that any carbohydrate turns to glucose in our bodies, and that’s what causes issues if you have insulin resistance (a hallmark of diabetes). All carbs: meaning bread, pasta, rice, and yes even vegetables like potatoes. This is not an eating plan for the faint of heart!
I checked out Dr. Bernstein’s Diabetes Solution due to seeing it praised by a guy I follow on Facebook. He’s a type 1 diabetic who has managed his condition for about 20 years by diet alone. His A1C is currently 4.3 I think. This is amazing! This book is a great reference because it’s written by a doctor who is also a type 1 diabetic and who is currently living a healthy life in his 90s — which must say something for his regimen.
He goes through the science of insulin and how the body works. There are many recipes, ways he treats diabetic patients, and much more. It’s easy to skip chapters that don’t apply to your situation. I learned a lot from the book.
A difficult thing for me is that my ldl cholesterol is high (although the other aspects of my cholesterol are fine). When I tried low-carb eating, my A1C improved but my ldl cholesterol went up. So, in addition to low-carb, I still try to eat low-fat too. This leaves only protein — and I honestly don’t enjoy meat that much! I have lost weight on this type of eating (trust me, if you eat few carbs — you will lose weight!) although I haven’t even had that as a goal. I’m still learning what I can eat and trying to fine-tune lab results. Aging is not easy, that’s for sure!
Why should I (or you, if blood glucose is an issue for you) care enough to do this? It’s not just that I’m chasing a lower A1C for the heck of it. This book goes into detail about what high A1C levels do to a person over time. It’s the author’s opinion that the current “acceptable” level of 5.6 is even way too high, and he details the damage done to kidneys, eyes, and extremities at A1C levels over 5. Yes, over 5! Yikes. He contends that a good A1C level is in the 4’s. I haven’t been there since I first started having annual bloodwork done, and really — no wonder. Low-carb eating rules out bread on sandwiches, rolls, potatoes, rice, noodles — so many things that are the foundation of most American meals.
I know that none of us escape this life alive 🙂 But, I hope to do what I can to age as healthily as I can. I learned a lot and found a lot of useful information in this book.
December 20, 2011
To start I am not a doctor. And I think listening to your doctor is most important thing to do versus what the book says.
If I did not win this book, I would not have bought it.
I will try to keep this brief but here is where I found problems with the book. It appears to be unrealistic when it comes to advice about diet/ nutrition and exercise.
It does a good job addressing proteins and calcium, but it seems ignore what happens with cholesterol levels. Your sugar levels may be great, but you could also be heading towards a heart attack.
The eating habits seem to advocate Adkins like diet, and leave out fruits completely and limit vegetables.
Cutting food out of your diet can be dangerous and run the risk of lacking in certain vitamins. Taking supplements are his answer.
It demonizes ALL forms of sugar, natural and man-made.
The recipes that are diabetic friendly in his book also happen to be rich people with a lot of time to cook. (examples Acorn Squash Bisque, Pan-Fried Swordfish with Ginger Scallion Butter, Filet Mignon with Green and Black peppercorn sauce, Grilled Cheeseburger with Canadian Bacon...)
Exercise... is barely spoken about in the book, not even a diagram of which exercises he recommends to check if you are in proper form. It appears he has done little to no research on how exercise impacts diabetes. There are no recommendations about activity at certain weight levels in relation to insulin. It is very lacking.
Overall I feel this book pushes CERTAIN medications over more natural ways to control diabetes. It is not for the average person with diabetes. And doesn't offer real world solution. Again I stress I am not a doctor
If I did not win this book, I would not have bought it.
I will try to keep this brief but here is where I found problems with the book. It appears to be unrealistic when it comes to advice about diet/ nutrition and exercise.
It does a good job addressing proteins and calcium, but it seems ignore what happens with cholesterol levels. Your sugar levels may be great, but you could also be heading towards a heart attack.
The eating habits seem to advocate Adkins like diet, and leave out fruits completely and limit vegetables.
Cutting food out of your diet can be dangerous and run the risk of lacking in certain vitamins. Taking supplements are his answer.
It demonizes ALL forms of sugar, natural and man-made.
The recipes that are diabetic friendly in his book also happen to be rich people with a lot of time to cook. (examples Acorn Squash Bisque, Pan-Fried Swordfish with Ginger Scallion Butter, Filet Mignon with Green and Black peppercorn sauce, Grilled Cheeseburger with Canadian Bacon...)
Exercise... is barely spoken about in the book, not even a diagram of which exercises he recommends to check if you are in proper form. It appears he has done little to no research on how exercise impacts diabetes. There are no recommendations about activity at certain weight levels in relation to insulin. It is very lacking.
Overall I feel this book pushes CERTAIN medications over more natural ways to control diabetes. It is not for the average person with diabetes. And doesn't offer real world solution. Again I stress I am not a doctor
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