The short answer is, there are a few modifications to a paleo diet that a type 2 should bear in mind:

1) if on medication, be more diligent about checking BG levels throughout the day. When the numbers have dropped by at least 20 points and have leveled there, a medication change is in order. 2) if in insulin or oral meds that can cause a BG low, BE VERY DILIGENT about checking BG levels! That regimen must be carefully monitored to avoid severe lows.

3) exercise helps insulin sensitivity and metabolism. going HIIT too soon (or too hard) can make for a high number post exercise (due to cortisol production). Scaling exercise is really important.

4) rest is very important to help keep insulin sensitivity up, excess inflamation down, and help reduce hunger and cravings. Early to bed is better than sleeping in.

Going strict paleo right off the bat will most likely cause headaches and severe cravings and sometimes excess hunger. If you can muster through, go for it! If the cravings/hunger are severe, try 5-6 mini meals for a few weeks,then cut out one of those meals each week (adjusting calories for other meals or PWO nutrition accordingly), until your hunger has reset.

There are a few blogs of other peoples' experiences in the blogsphere. The reality is that your friend's type 2 experience will be a little different than everyone else's and does depend on how well managed the disease is, how much/many meds are being taken, obesity, other co-morbid conditions. Some people reverse the disease in as little as 30 days, others need 6 months or more.

Paleo can help Type 2 disappear.

Best way to start:

1. get rid of processed foods. all of them
2. get rid of grains
3. get rid of legumes
4. get rid of added sugars, then reduce all sugar
5. Resist the urge to try to create paleo-substitutes for things like pasta, pancakes, etc. It will just help the cravings to return.

Cook at home, and plan what to order in advance of going out, including making wiser choices about restaurants.

The reward? You'll be better looking, will weigh less, will look healthier (skin, hair, nails), sleep better (and less), all the while reversing the disease.

Yes its been great for me - you should read and get him to read http://www.diabetes-book.com/ Dr Bernstein's book - he does not promote it as Paleo but its much the same thing - best way to treat type 1 and 2!

As a type 2 diabetic myself, I can't begin to emphasize the importance of following Dr. Bernstein's program. While Dr. Bernstein is a type 1 diabetic, his advice is applicable to any diabetic. As stated previously, Dr. Bernstein does not use the paleo moniker, but his program is as close to paleo as anyones'. I also suffer from plaque psoriasis. I have found that after two years of following this way of eating that the most impact this diet has had on my psoriasis is with the total elimination of grains and dairy. So far this has seemed to have reduced my outbreaks by 50% and allowed some of my plaques to completely clear up. I got rid of grains immediately upon starting this and then weaned off dairy gradually. I did notice some relief from my psoriasis initially but the most improvements came as I eliminated the dairy. That's the long answer! The short answer is "yes, paleo will help your patient some." Of course everyone's different so your patient may have different results than I have had. Best wishes

Steve Cooksey on facebook and these are his websites..... http://www.diabetes-management-info.com/ and http://www.diabetes-warrior.net

Dr. Bernstein speaks of how all Diabetics have clusters of auto immunes. He has at least 6. He also says that all of his patients have psoriasis. After normalizing BS, after reducing all inflammatory foods, stress, adequate sleep etc. Herbals help. Turmeric tea. 1 teaspoon of turmeric, sprinkle black pepper, ginger. This is a Cox-2 inhibitor and can reduce or eliminate the skin inflammation. 1-2-3-4 cups per day. I add heavy cream and it tastes like a curried cream. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/406890 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/567028

My web www.tribaldiabetics.com is about diabetes and Paleo. I am a student of Dr. Bernstein and Dr. Ron Rosedale.

I good way to start might be to limit carbs to whole fruit and natural potatoes (no franken french fries and the like) at first. If you cut out all the other carby sources besides those, then you are cutting out most of the rest of the crap foods. PLus cut out grain oils (those don't taste good anyway so you won't miss em) and any other obviously over processed junk like soy bars and whatever. You can keep on with the whole fruit and potatoes in moderation for a bit until you get comfortable with that, and then slowly lesson the intake of those two as well and see how it goes.

Yes, must watch medication levels and blood glucose levels. The danger is you may get your blood glucose too low if your diabeties improves and you don't less medication in concordance with that. Other than that, there really isn't a ton that you need to worry about for diabetes. Really, paleo/lowcarb is the kind of diet that is especially good for diabetes. The major side effect is your diabetes might get way better! -Eva