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There seems to be a trend of going higher carb in the paleo sphere. Bernstein's solution is 40 gram of carbs a day. I read somewhere that his patients that seems to have a lot of success with diabetes end up with thyroid problems from the low carbs.

Would you still recommend Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution to a Diabetic?

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PK, do you happen to have a reference for the thyroid problems resulting from LC? – PaleoGran Feb 23 2012 at 15:49
I think I saw it somewhere on paleohacks or Perfect Health Diet. Dr. B recommends keeping the blood sugar level between 80-95. Over at PHD, perfecthealthdiet.com/?p=5027 He claims the ideal blood range is between 70-140 which is quite a bit more leeway. All diabetics I know tend to cheat so a larger margin of error would be quite a selling point to getting them to be more responsible. – primallykosher Feb 23 2012 at 16:03
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 PK, there is no large margin of error for someone with faulty blood sugar regulation. It is idiotic to eat too much CHO or PRO, or even FAT and have to increase insulin dosage due to indulgence. – PaleoGran Feb 23 2012 at 16:25
It may be idiotic, but its hard to convince to do otherwise. The drive to eat sugary foods has to be reduced. I would think supplements might help, but not sure which specific ones. – primallykosher Feb 23 2012 at 16:48
PK, I, too, find it hard to convince folks to stop killing themselves with the wrong food. Dr. Bernstein recommends supplements in his book. It could be that that section of the book is online, or could be found in a search thru google. I'll have a look and if I find them, I'll post. It is hard, I agree, to watch those we care about make really bad choices. – PaleoGran Feb 23 2012 at 16:57
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Absolutely!!!! I recommend it to anyone interested in having normal blood sugars and eating healthfully.

Merely because some folks eat lots of CHO does not make a high-carb diet at all suitable for someone who does not have normal blood sugar regulation.

Dr. Bernstein's plan is brilliant, easy to follow, and very enjoyable.

Here is a link to one of his web sites, which has much of his book online.

http://www.diabetes-book.com/index.shtml

ETA: Here is a link to the forum for Dr. Bernstein's diet:

http://www.diabetes-book.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl

There are also sub-forums at the two large LC forums on diabetes and LC, and specifically for following Dr. Bernstein's plan.

One must register to read.

IMO, Dr. Bernstein is a genius. There are many posts at the LC forums of folks following Dr. B's plan who say that his plan saved their lives. His life is inspiring. :)

Here is the first part of a talk he gave to the Nutrition and Metabolism Society:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VaNJO7KMgg

Other parts are at youtube, as well.

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 Dr. Bernstein prescribes a one size fits all plan which does not work for all diabetics. Also, he subscribes to the simple theory that VLC =? Best BG control. I used to believe in his method but not anymore. His method is best for those who're T1 and moderate to severe T2 diabetics with a small supply of beta cells remaining. For others, you do not need to do VLC. In fact, you can have better BG control with moderate/higher carbs. Plus you can keep your autoimmune diseases at bay by easing off of VLC. Sadly, both him and his followers have blinders on and think only they have the answer. – Namby Pamby Feb 23 2012 at 19:13
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 I think that deserves its own answer rather than just a comment. Like how you came to this conclusion, links to stuff that are bad about it. – primallykosher Feb 23 2012 at 19:39
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 Disagree with implying autoimmune disease is exacerbated by his plan. I understand you have your N=1 data on this Namby, but to presume there is causation is incorrect in my book especially in light of all the other N=1 data that says the exact opposite occurs. – JayJay Feb 23 2012 at 21:57
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 Dr Bernstein's method does not allow you to deviate with carbs, he requires it! If you actually follow the book completerly you will develop a lot of data about how YOU process carbs. At that point, armed with the data, you start to personalize your eating program. His book kept me out of the hospital when I had gestational diabetes and years later, when my father was diagnosed with Type 2, it has kept him off all medication. 55 lbs and 5yrs later he is healthy as a horse and his doctor hasn't a clue, tells him all the time to watch his protein intake. Hilarious! – C. Max Feb 23 2012 at 23:10
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 JayJay, there are many who agree with you about increasing carbs as tolerated. They call it "eat to your meter". I know of some who eat less than Dr. B's recommended 30g/CHO/d in order to keep their blood sugar normal and stable, without medications. I think you made a most excellent point. I ought to have mentioned the "eat to your meter" folks. Thanks for posting about that! :) – PaleoGran Feb 24 2012 at 0:17
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Yes......and I do regularly.

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You wouldn't adapt it to address potential thyroid issues once blood sugars are under control? – primallykosher Feb 23 2012 at 15:32
Its were I think they should start. Depends on a lot of other factors....but in general low carb does not causes pathological thyroid. It is more of a desired physiological adaptation when the person is getting proper nutrition. But, of course adaptations to each individual are going to have to be made as things move along. What those adaptations are will be highly individual. – JayJay Feb 23 2012 at 15:39
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 Still like this question in discussion of some of this thyroid stuff, lots of good information....paleohacks.com/questions/78343/… – JayJay Feb 23 2012 at 15:45
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My doctor did the D2 diagnosis. He had me use carb exchange counting to control it and it worked. Losing weight took care of the problem permanently and that part was my idea.

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D2? type 2 you mean? – primallykosher Feb 23 2012 at 16:52
Yes. Type II diabetes. I might have had it for a year or longer without even knowing about it. – thhq Feb 23 2012 at 17:00
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Yes definitely as a start. Once the blood sugar is under control, I would think it prudent to try and increase the carb levels in the diet and see how it performs. Also you have to keep a check on whether there are any cortisol issues, which might cause problems. In that case you are in between a rock and a hard place :-(.

I have a cortisol problem, and I have trouble getting into ketosis even after long fasts.

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