Unique vitamin D observations

It seems not a single day passes that I don’t learn something new about this unique hormone (mis)named “vitamin D.”

From its humble beginnings recognized only as the factor responsible for bone maturation (with deficiency leading to childhood rickets), vitamin D now commands a recognized role in almost every conceivable aspect of health and disease.

Among the unique observations I’ve made over the past several years, having corrected vitamin D in well over 1000 people:

--Ankylosing spondylitis—This fairly rare genetic disease programs a peculiar solidification of the spinal column that leads to disabling restriction of spinal mobility, accompanied by incapacitating pain. A physician came to my office after reading my Life Extension summary of vitamin D’s cardiovascular benefits, After reading it, he put himself on vitamin D 10,000 units per day and verified “therapeutic” levels with a blood test. He came to my office (he requested a consultation) and proudly showed me his near-normal spine flexibility that, until approximately 2 months earlier, had left him rigid and unable to even tie his shoes. He also reported that the chronic pain that had left him completely dependent on anti-inflammatory agents and narcotics was nearly entirely gone.

--Aortic valve disease—The list of people with either aortic valve stenosis (stiffness) or insufficiency (leakiness) that develops later in life (not congenitally deformed or bicuspid aortic valves) continues to grow. Not everyone responds, but some of the cases I’ve seen have been nothing short of miraculous. One man had severe aortic valve insufficiency (severe leakiness). After one year of vitamin D, 8000 units per day that yielded a blood level of 67 ng/ml, the insufficiency was down to a minimal level. Before vitamin D, I had never witnessed “spontaneous” reversal of aortic valve disease before.

--Chest pain—Not the chest pain of heart disease, but a chronic gnawing, toothache-like pain in the sternum that is relieved within days of initiating vitamin D. I don’t know precisely why this happens, but I speculate that, with vitamin D deficiency, there is disordered calcium metabolism, and perhaps the sternal pain represents cellular (osteoclastic) activity that is eroding sternal calcium for the purpose of maintaining blood calcium, since intestinal absorption of calcium is poor. Replace vitamin D and the abnormal calcium uptake ceases. Just my guess.

--Relief from claustrophobia—This one has me stumped. But one man’s vivid description of his previously terrifying experiences in elevators and other enclosed spaces, now entirely gone raises some fascinating questions. For instance, how much psychological disease is nothing more than the expression of disordered metabolism from vitamin D deficiency?

--Immunity from viral infections--I first learned of this association from Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council (www.vitamindcouncil.com). Dr. Cannell recounts his experience with the 2006 flu epidemic in the hospital in northern California, where he is a psychiatrist charged with the health of 200 inpatients held in closed wards. While the flu spread like wildfire to the patients in all the other wards, the 200 patients in Dr. Cannell’s ward failed to contract a single episode of flu while taking 2000 units of vitamin D per day.

I was a little skeptical at first, having been disappointed by the failure of several nutritional agents like zinc, vitamin C (perhaps, at best, a minimal effect). Now, three years into my vitamin D experience, I am absolutely convinced that Dr. Cannells’ early observation was correct: Vitamin D enhances immunity enormously. Not only have I personally not had a virus in several years, the majority of my staff and patients have been happily free of viral infections. There have been a few, to be sure. But the usual winters of hacking, coughing, and sneezing in the office have become largely a memory. It is a rare person who comes to the office with viral symptoms.


With new lessons being learned every day, it is inevitable that other fascinating new vitamin D observations have yet to be made.

Comments (47) -

  • Jenny

    2/21/2009 1:33:00 PM |

    Dr. Davis,

    Vitamin D appears to have a very strong antidepressant effect, which may be behind the response in agorophobia. People who have numbed their emotions with SSRIs may not notice it, but for someone who is not taking artificial mood drugs, Vitamin D has an effect on mood very similar to that burst of cheer one feels when going out into strong sunlight.

  • baldsue

    2/21/2009 1:44:00 PM |

    I wish it relieved constant headaches.  I do think the level of pain has dropped a notch or two since I started taking 4000 IUs a day.  And I can definitely tell the difference in my general feeling of wellness, aside from the headache, when I forget to take a dose.  In fact, that's the first question I ask myself when I feel dragged down, "Did I take my vitamin D?"

    Thanks!  I never would have ramped up my dose had I not read your words.

  • Elise P

    2/21/2009 1:51:00 PM |

    I increased my vitamin D supplementation to 3000 IU per day last fall bringing my level of D3 to 53 (I've since increased to 4000 per day).  Every year, about 3 times, I used to get a sore throat that turns to congestion that lasts for a week of misery.  I did catch the bug once this winter but it was two days of congestion and was gone.  I also got pregnant soon after adding the vitamin D, after trying for two years to conceive.  Also, my husband had allergy like symptoms, waking up sneezing and stuffy, which had gone on for 6+ months.  Two months after he upped his D to 6000 IU per day they're gone.  One question I have is for pregnancy - all the books say limit your D to 600 IU and I know they're still using the old information that looks at vitamin D as a dangerous fat soluble vitamin that can be toxic.  I'm planning to keep my supplementation at 4000 IU until the summer when I'll lower it a little, but can anyone speak to the safety of vitamin D during pregnancy?

  • Shreela

    2/21/2009 1:57:00 PM |

    "Relief from claustrophobia"

    I fell asleep in the MRI, but if helps phobias in general, I get fairly freaked when bridges are skinny, steep, or curved (highway connectors).

    I've been taking the tablets since reading about the Vit D newsletter doctor (forget his name, sorry) recommending them, and the were 2 for 1, and I had 2 coupons also.

    I read your post about how taking tablets with oil might help -- I've been taking them with fish oil already, and now I'm using olive oil on my food before taking them.

    I'll get gelcaps when I run out of the tablets, and maybe handle bridges better 8^)

  • Joe E O

    2/21/2009 2:30:00 PM |

    I can personally vouch for the efficacy of Vitamin D in relieving a) chronic chest pain b) generalized anxiety.

    It seems like a bad dream at this point - but I was completely at the end of my rope for much of 2007 vis a vis the chest pain - which also nicely fed into the the anxiety. I was in bad shape....

    Another example of the the law of unintended consequences - i.e.  Avoid the Sun - leading to Vitamin D deficiency


    I wonder if the general "health advice" about avoiding salt is leading to iodine deficiency and the sub-clinical hypothyroidism.

    Peace

    Joe E O

  • steven

    2/21/2009 4:51:00 PM |

    can you explain the difference relationship and difference between D325(OH) and 1.25 measurement of D.  Thanks.

  • Anne

    2/21/2009 5:44:00 PM |

    Dear Dr Davis,

    Please can you tell the significance of the coconut at the top of your blog - is is because of coconut oil being such a good fat ?

    Anne

  • TedHutchinson

    2/21/2009 6:23:00 PM |

    Readers wanting to know more about the
    "Connection with Vitamin D and Cancer"
    will find this new Grassrootshealth 30 minute lecture from Donald Trump worth watching

    http://tinyurl.com/d3xeux

    and while short session of full body nonburning may a reasonable route for some to top up vitamin d in summer,  for many people, particularly those in Australia/NewZealand sun exposure at any time of day may not be worth the risk, but, neither is the use of sunscreen as safe as one might think or hope.
    You may be in for a shock when you listen to Edward Gorham. (and I'm not referring to the quality of his jokes)

    Skin Cancer/Sunscreen - the Dilemma

    http://tinyurl.com/buatue

  • Anonymous

    2/21/2009 7:51:00 PM |

    Another one to add to the unique list, I've noticed that vitamin D helps with improved demeanor.  I first noticed this after my brother-in-law began taking vitamin D along with fish oil.  The brother-in-law had always been a quite person with an unpleasant  demeanor to me.  After he began taking the two supplements he became sociable, and in general I and several others I know found him pleasant to be around.   At the time I didn't know if it was the supplements that helped but joked with other family members that for our sanity we MUST keep him supplied with D and fish oil.      

    After talking with my sister this morning, maybe I shouldn't joke.  My middle nephew is quite.  Talking with him for more than 5 minutes was rare.  He just wasn't a chatty person - much like his father used to be.  Well, my sister told me this morning that the middle nephew began taking vitamin D two weeks ago.  He will not drink milk and so my sister was worried he was not building strong bones - her quote.  

    It dawned on me that my parents had talked about receiving several surprising phone calls this week from the middle nephew - he never called anyone - and how pleasant it was to have long talks with him.  My parents thought their grandson was growing up.  I think it's the vitamin D.

  • Kismet

    2/21/2009 9:17:00 PM |

    Vitamin D supplementation seems almost too good to be true.
    Dr. Davis, although some data on zinc has been negative, zinc *acetate* and *gluconate* lozenges are backed up by some solid research(not for prevention, but to treat the common cold). Only recently there was a positive study published in the J Infect Dis, PMID: 18279051.

  • David Brown

    2/22/2009 12:10:00 AM |

    I've been taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily for a couple years and it seems to protect me from sunburn. It wasn't enough to protect me from a cold and bout with the flu last winter so I upped intake to 4,000 IU. No sickness so far this winter.

  • Anonymous

    2/22/2009 10:17:00 AM |

    I live in an extreme northern climate state and have been diligently taking 6,000 IU/d of NOW (brand) D3 (soft-gels) for the past seven months.

    I just had my 25(OH)D3 tested for the first time this past week.  It came in at 61 ng/ml.  YES!

    At work, I find my co-workers often coughing and sneezing all day long.  This, in a work place that requires continual contact with hundreds of retail customers.

    This is the first winter that I can remember I haven't had any viral/cold symptoms at all... not even a single runny nose.

    I learned of this hormone here first, and probably still would not have learned of it's importance if not for this blog.  I now continually stress to my family, friends, and co-workers this utmost importance of supplemental D3.

    Thank you Dr. Davis

  • mike V

    2/22/2009 6:14:00 PM |

    EliseP:
    Hope you will find this 2004 review helpful.

    Assessment of dietary vitamin D requirements during pregnancy and lactation.
    Bruce W Hollis and Carol L Wagner

    http://www.direct-ms.org/pdf/VitDGenScience/Hollis%20vit%20D%20pregnacy.pdf

    Note: Do not correct "pregnacy" in the URL. It only works as spelled.

    MikeV

  • hoosierville

    2/22/2009 10:31:00 PM |

    Doc,
    I again want to thank you for this blog. I've directed my siste here. She has 7 stents and had a quadruple about 10 years ago. She's 67 not and doing well but she still hasn't quit smoking. But she's on the D and you'd never know how bad her heart was (is).

    Anyway, I'd like to share this anectdotal little story. A friend at work contracted a bacterial repsiratory infection back in April of 08. I hadn't seen her in several months and then she stopped into my library on January 13, 2009 for a visit (we work for the school system) and she was still very, very sick. Every time she spoke she coughed, and you could tell it was a very dry and painful cough. I started telling her about Vit D and ended up telling her to take 50,000 IUs that day and then take 10,000 IUs for the next week and then do it again the next two weeks. Guess what? She's cured. She's been on every antibiotic under the sun and none of them worked. The vitamin D did it. She's almost norman again. She was sick for almost a year.

    I have had life changing effects from taking vitamin d and I've now joined the grassroots health D action program too.

    I posted sometime back about how it's helped my lungs and how much strength and stamina I've gained just in one short year. It's been an amazing experience.

    Debbie in Indiana

  • Anonymous

    2/23/2009 9:41:00 AM |

    To everyone who has left a comment on this blog, could you say if you were taking vitamin d3 tablets or oil-filled gelcaps?

  • Elise P

    2/23/2009 10:07:00 PM |

    To Mike V. - thank you for the link to that article about Vitamin D and pregnancy - I feel much more confident that I'm benefiting myself and my baby by taking a higher amount of Vitamin D.
    To the comment asking what form I'm taking - the oil gelcaps.

  • TedHutchinson

    2/24/2009 11:16:00 AM |

    I live latitude 52N
    Previously I used BIOTECH 5000iu dry powder filled capsules (not solid tablets) taken with food.

    They raised my status but even with full body sun exposure only to 40ng ~ 120nmol/l.

    I now take 5000iu oil based gel capsules (3 caps over 2 days 7500iu/d)but have also lost weight (stopped eating wheat)
    25(OH)D jumped from
    Sept 08 48ng ~ 120nmol/l
    to Jan 09 110ng/ml ~ 275nmol/l.
    I suspect Dr Davis is correct that oil based caps are more effective although some of that rise will be due to sunbed use and maybe weight loss.
    I have never used solid D3 tablets.

    There is no significant difference in daily cost, both 5000iu powder and 5000iu oil based caps can be bought in the USA and including p&p to UK cost around 5p daily.

  • Anonymous

    2/24/2009 6:39:00 PM |

    I have ank spondy as well - Its a tough disease that I have fixed almost completely with diet BUT the vitamin D has made my back feel more flexible anyway! Three weeks in - I will take a blood test soon to verify levels and see whether I need to modify the dosage.

  • mike V

    2/25/2009 2:38:00 PM |

    Re: Tablets versus Oil based. I started out with tablets (Sam's club) some years ago, and pretty much eliminated colds and infections. Based on Dr Davis's observations I switched about 2 years ago, with similar results. I should mention that I usually take oil soluble vitamins/ supplements together, often with a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil.
    FWIW I am almost 73, and have no detectable plaque.

    PS To Dr D.
    I challenge all readers of The Heart Scan Blog to send $25 to Dr Cannell at the Vitamin D Council.

    Dr D, if you are posting Cannell's latest newsletter, please edit from this comment.
    Thanks, MikeV



    The Vitamin D Newsletter

    February 24, 2009                                                
                            
    I know some of you want to unsubscribe but the system I used, like the formatting in this newsletter, is beyond my computer skills.  Thus, accept my apologies. If you want to unsubscribe, simply send a blank email
    to unsubscribe@vitamindcouncil.org.
    As readers from 3 years ago remember, this newsletter first published evidence vitamin D would prevent influenza and many varieties of the
    common cold in 2005:

    http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsletter/2005-nov.shtml

    I then published the theory in:                                                      
    Cannell JJ, et al. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiology and Infection. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40.

    As Science News reported, I realized this after observing an influenza epidemic at Atascadero State Hospital.

    The antibiotic vitamin: deficiency in vitamin D may predispose people to infection.  Science News, November 11, 2006
    Last year, we used vitamin D to explain virtually all of the many unsolved mysteries of influenza.

    Cannell JJ, et al.  On the epidemiology of influenza. Virology Journal. 2008 Feb 25;5:29.

    Our second influenza paper is by far the most accessed paper in the journal this year.

    Top 20 most accessed articles for last year in Virology Journal

    Today, researchers from Harvard and the University of Colorado, writing in the Archives of Internal Medicine, published convincing evidence my observations at Atascadero State Hospital were correct.

    Vitamin D deficiency linked to more colds and flu. Scientific American, Feb 23, 2009

    Adit A, et al.  Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):384-390.

    Influenza kill around 35,000 Americans every year and similar viruses cause additional mortality and untold morbidity. As I have said, It appears Linus Pauling was right about everything he said about vitamin C, but he was off by one letter. The Vitamin D Council, the nearly broke non-profit educational organization, now believes most influenza deaths and many other respiratory infections, like the common cold, could be prevented if Americans, and their doctors, understood some simple facts:

    ·         Vitamin D is not a vitamin, but a steroid hormone precursor, which has profound effects on innate immunity.
    ·         The amount of vitamin D in most food and nearly all multivitamins is literally inconsequential.
    ·         The correct daily dose of vitamin D for adults is approximately 5,000 IU/day, not the 200-600 IU recommended by the Institute of Medicine, the National Institutes of Medicine and the FDA.
    ·         The only blood test to determine vitamin D adequacy is a 25-hydroxy-vitamin D, not the 1,25-di-hydroxy-vitamin D test many physicians now order.
    ·         Healthy vitamin D blood levels are between 50-80 ng/ml, levels obtained by fewer than 5% of Americans.
    ·         Medicare’s new proposed rule change, which forbids Medicare carriers for paying for virtually all vitamin D blood tests (Draft LCD for Vitamin D Assay Testing (DL29510), will kill tens of thousands of Americans yearly.
    ·         The mechanism of action of vitamin D in infection, dramatically increasing the body’s production of broad-spectrum natural antibiotics (anti-microbial peptides or AMP) suggests pharmaceutical doses of vitamin D (1,000 IU per pound of body weight per day for several days) will effectively treat not only influenza and the common cold, but help treat a host of other seasonal infections, including meningitis, septicemia, and pneumonia, in both children and adults.
    ·         In 1997, when the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) set the current guidelines for vitamin D intake, they forgot to correct for the widespread sun avoidance that began in the late 1980’s when the AMA’s Council of Scientific Affairs warned against sun-exposure, and recommended that all Americans should make every effort to never let a photon of sunlight strike their skin.  The failure of the 1997 FNB to compensate for sun-avoidance, has led to millions of deaths around the world.
    ·         Physicians who ignore vitamin D deficiency will eventually suffer medical-legal consequences.
    ·         While many think the influenza virus causes influenza, Cannell notes it was George Bernard Shaw who first understood: “The characteristic microbe of a disease might be a symptom instead of a cause.” George Bernard Shaw, (Preface on Doctors, The Doctor’s Dilemma, 1911).

    If you want professional newsletter services, you will need to help find a foundation that will fund us.

    John Cannell, MD
    http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

    The Vitamin D Council
    9100 San Gregorio Road
    Atascadero, CA 93422

    (Posted by Mikev)

  • Dr. William Davis

    2/25/2009 10:56:00 PM |

    Thanks, Mike V.

    Dr. John Cannell is truly a visionary when it comes to vitamin D. He also has some of the best understanding of this issue of anyone around.

    We are overdue for a donation to his cause, also. Thanks for reminding me.

  • karl

    2/26/2009 3:18:00 PM |

    I would like your opinions of the resveratrol studies - they are now combining it with D3.

  • Anonymous

    2/26/2009 3:34:00 PM |

    "Chest pain—Not the chest pain of heart disease, but a chronic gnawing, toothache-like pain in the sternum that is relieved within days of initiating vitamin D. I don’t know precisely why this happens, but I speculate that, with vitamin D deficiency, there is disordered calcium metabolism, and perhaps the sternal pain represents cellular (osteoclastic) activity that is eroding sternal calcium for the purpose of maintaining blood calcium, since intestinal absorption of calcium is poor. Replace vitamin D and the abnormal calcium uptake ceases. Just my guess". interesting? I have hypothyroid and high blood calcium, made me confused as to taking vitamin D or not. i have chest pain on left side. changing my medication from synthroid to armour and starting on the Iodine drops brought body temperature, brain fog, moon face, gained weight, depression, and confusion to normal but chest pain is still there. i thought about vitamin D but avoided because of already high blood calcium. But what you just speculated above does makes sense. I am in winnipeg and should be taking vitamin D all the time. I will start on vitamin D and see if it will make any difference? The other problem here is going to see a doctor is like going to a principal's office in high school. They never Liston, treat you like numbers and most of them are sick themselves and never up to date or they never want to tell. you have to educate your self in order to save your health, relationships and jobs which are connected to one's well being.

  • Anna

    2/27/2009 4:51:00 AM |

    I made a donation to the Vitamin D Council in late 2007, but forgot to do so in 2008.  I rectified that the other day when I received the latest VDC newsletter - this time I made a $100 donation.  And the Grassroots Health office is in my town, so I have volunteered to help stuff test kit envelopes so they can save on envelope stuffing service fees.  

    I really feel the VDC is doing important work.  Except for the friends and family who "listen" to me and take enough D3, everyone I know who tests is either deficient or very low in the reference range.  

    Reading The Vitamin D Cure book now.  While I have some issue with the diet advice, the info about determining sun exposure and supplementation dose is very good.

  • TedHutchinson

    2/27/2009 1:09:00 PM |

    Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJHfdUKSD2A
    another in the series of Vitamin D talks sponsored by Grassrootshealth.org and hosted by University of Califorian television.
    Allow 45minutes and it may be a good idea to download it if you are not familiar with the research. There is a lot of information (the conference it is taken from was aimed at doctors rather than the general public) and as it is complex you may need to listen to it twice.

    I think this particular video is worthy of Dr Davis's scrutiny. I am sure if Dr Davis devoted a specific blog to the highlight this video, he could make a better job of explaining some of the slides.

    Listen right to the end to the last question from the floor for the rather cynical audience response.

  • Anonymous

    2/27/2009 5:56:00 PM |

    Dr. Cannell knows quite a bit about vitamin D, but his understanding of vitamin A is abysmal.  He's telling people that they do not need any preformed vitamin A in their diets because it blocks vitamin D action.  This is a partial truth, but the message is all wrong.  If he spreads this message far emough, we'll be entering into an era of subclinical vitamin A deficiency and night blindness.  Until he changes, or at least clarifies, his stance on vitamin A, I cannot support him.

  • mike V

    2/28/2009 6:56:00 PM |

    To Anonymous on Vitamin A.

    Presuming your characterization is correct, it is my best guess that Dr Cannell is saving many more lives by popularizing the existence of wide Vitamin D deficiency.

    Can we get any info you may have on the relative hazards of existing Vitamin A deficiency?

    Why not pass it on? He may well appreciate your insight as much as a contribution!

    Thanks.

    Mike V

  • homertobias

    3/1/2009 12:03:00 AM |

    Ted, Dr. David Sane's presentation was fair, in my opinion.  We have alot of association data, plausability, potential for multiple mechanisms of action, but a paucity of studies showing that supplementing works to prevent cardiovascular disease.  They will come.  Alot of us are still disappointed and cautious after mistakenly recommending high dose folate for hyperhomosystienemia.  

    Interesting to me was the German data looking not only at 25-oh levels but 1-25-oh vitamin D levels being independently associated with CHD.  Can't figure it out.

    Also very interesting was the Italian data showing correlation between CIMT and Vit D levels in diabetics. I wonder if low Vitamin D levels correllate with MDCT?  OK Dr. Davis.  Does it?  From my reading, cholesterol levels, NMR lipoprofile, HSCRP, LPPLA2, do NOT correlate with coronary calcium scores.  (Dr. Hecht's data) Will D???

  • Trinkwasser

    3/2/2009 1:41:00 PM |

    Anecdotal, but I suffer chronic atypical depression with symptoms related to SAD. Venlafaxine 225mg has been my best treatment to date (tricyclics work better but with more side effects, SSRIs don't work well at all and then stop, the connection seems to be to dopamine and norepinephrine)

    Getting my BG in line (I used to mostly do not-diabetic-yet highs dropping to not-quite-hypo lows several times a day) and I have dropped this to 37.5mg

    Taking D3 over a prolonged period and despite the appallingly dull winter I have had singificantly fewer SAD symptoms (while a lot of non-sufferers have been worse!)

    I've been taking tabs BUT with flax oil, EPO and actual complete fish so maybe the oil is helping the disposition, I'll replace them with gelcaps when I run out.

    Now the sun has finally started to come out and my energy levels have improved as they often do around this time of year (waking up from hibernation) I have dropped the venlafaxine to 17.75 mg and doing if anything even better.

    Meanwhile in Scotland a GP is finding clinical cases of Rickets for the first time in her career.

    One wonders whether apart from the too low RDA there are other factors interfering in D metabolism which have become commoner than in the past. Maybe the low fat diet prevents absorbtion? Maybe statins break one of the pathways? Otherwise surely someone would have noticed all these recent findings long ago?

  • mbarnes

    3/23/2009 4:20:00 PM |

    It is amazing how much concern folk raise about the potential toxicity of vitamin D when the literature clearly shows you can take as much as 10,000units per day without problems and there was a phase I study in MS patients that used 40,000IU per day without side effects. here is another good site on vitamin D with lots of reviews of the anti cancer data:
    www.vitaminD3world.com

  • Anonymous

    12/2/2009 5:50:47 PM |

    How interesting. I have been taking oral gelcap vitamin D for some years now and I never seem to get ill when other people all around me are stuck down with terrible symptoms. Or, if my husband has flown-blown flu, I might have a sore throat for a day and feel a bit more tired than usual for a day and then I'm fine.

    I was wondering whether my apparently amazing ability not to get sick might be because I have MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance) -- I was wondering if it might be that my immune system is so 'good' it is also attacking me too -- whether there might be some link, that at some point in the future will be my undoing. ? But I much prefer the more optimistic vitamin D theory of my lack of colds and flu etc.

  • Anonymous

    12/2/2009 6:05:01 PM |

    To the person who asked about vitamin D and pregnancy, and to the other person who asked about tablets vs oil gel caps, I was taking tablets for years without it raising my serum D levels, It was when I switched to D3 oil gel caps as a result of reading this blog, that my levels started to climb. When I finally went up to 6000IUs that seemed to help a lot.

    When I became pregnant, I asked my (high risk) maternal foetal medicine doctor about it, and he said that is that was the level of supplementation it was taking to keep my vitamin D levels up to normal, I should keep taking it. He also said that I should continue to try to get some sun every day (I am not in a hot sunny place) that would be important too. He seemed to be saying that just taking the supplements is not enough. You need both.

  • Anonymous

    12/30/2009 3:45:58 PM |

    Hello!!! heartscanblog.blogspot.com is one of the most outstanding innovative websites of its kind. I take advantage of reading it every day. I will be back.

  • DougCuk

    1/9/2010 10:05:34 PM |

    I do not as a rule take any supplements - but I am now recommending all my family and friends to take high dose Vitamin D. I have been researching this topic for the last two months - I have a degree in Zoology and worked in Bio-Physics - and the more I read the more convinced I have become. I have created my own webpage with links to the best Vitamin D websites, charts and videos. Anything I find gets posted here: http://www.stargateuk.info/vitamind

  • Anonymous

    2/9/2010 5:16:44 PM |

    On Vitamin D and pregnancy, here's a quote about recent studies:

    "In two U.S. government-funded studies, Hollis is studying vitamin D supplementation of up to 6,000 IU daily in nursing women, and 4,000 units per day in pregnant women. So far "not one single adverse event" has been observed in women on the highest doses, he said in an interview."

  • Anonymous

    2/19/2010 8:06:00 PM |

    Dr Davis,
    I eliminated cereals from my diet 6 month ago and since then I haven't have an herpes outbreak that used to plague me if I didn't take VALACICLOVIR 500 mg every day I would get an outbreak 7 days after I did't take the pill, now I'm supplementing 6000 iu of vitamin D a day I hope that I will stay outbreak free for longer!!!! I have to tell you that I stopped eating cereals specially wheat after reading this blog   and have felt better than ever!!!

  • Anonymous

    3/7/2010 9:08:28 PM |

    Vitamin D controls T cell antigen receptor signaling and activation of human T cells. WOW

    http://www.nature.com/ni/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ni.1851.html

    Regards
    Niels

  • vitamin D

    5/17/2010 5:23:29 AM |

    According to me after read this post I think that vitamin D is more good to take for better health because it helps blood to stay in normal level.

  • Anonymous

    8/24/2010 8:15:39 AM |

    I've suffered from depression for many years, along with joint pain that flares up from time to time, but have never tested positive for any antibodies, so have no idea what it is that causes the problem. I've just learned to deal with the pain and stiffness myself and only use over the counter anti-inflamatories when the pain gets too bad to handle without using anything because they've always upset my stomach.

    These last couple of years fatigue has plagued me as well. Last year my dr detected low levels of vitamin D and suggested I took 1,000 units a day. A couple of weeks ago, he retested my levels only to find that they had dropped significantly, from 36 to 20 (normal range 50-75). I am now on 2,000 units a day. Within 24 hours I began to feel more energy than I'd felt in years and my mood had lifted. I've always been aware that in winter I had less energy and was more morose, but never connected the dots. My daughter also suffers from depression and a couple of weeks was going through a really bad patch. I insisted the dr measured her D3 levels and sure enough she was low on D3.She started on 2,000 units of D3 and improved within 36 hours from being a crying mess to being full of energy.

    For someone like me who's always been a vitamin skeptic, I'm amazed at the difference in such a short time. I'm 3 weeks into taking 2,000 units a day and can't see any effect on my joints yet but have my fingers well and truely crossed on this one.

    Does anyone know if low D3 levels are also connected with chronic gastritis? I has diagnosed last year and have developed gastric intestinal metaplasia (which explains why I get stomach pain if I take NSAIDS or aspirin). However, there has been no cause established for me developing this condition and since I rarely take the NSAIDS that's not the cause either. I tested negative for HP infection and have never smoked and rarely drink alcohol. I'm now wondering if this condition is also due to low D3 levels.

  • Rhett

    9/29/2010 12:18:36 PM |

    I was recently diagnosed as severely vitamin D deficient and was unable to find a decent place dedicated to vitamin D discussion, so I decided to start my own forum http://www.vitamindforum.com . I would love to hear everyones experiences!

  • Philip Gower

    10/4/2010 3:27:38 AM |

    I have upped my daily dosage of D3to 15,000U,and feel great ! My lifelong psoriasis has largely melted away, and occasional angina has stopped. At age 73 I am able to walk our dogs in hills for hours daily, and I take no prescription medications.I also supplement with SSKI drops, and follow a low carb diet.In 6 months I have dropped 50 lbs, and seem to be levelled off at about 150 lbs.I am about to test for the "25" D3 blood level, mostly out of curiosity. I have stopped getting colds or flu !

  • buy jeans

    11/3/2010 2:53:06 PM |

    --Relief from claustrophobia—This one has me stumped. But one man’s vivid description of his previously terrifying experiences in elevators and other enclosed spaces, now entirely gone raises some fascinating questions. For instance, how much psychological disease is nothing more than the expression of disordered metabolism from vitamin D deficiency?

  • aashvi

    11/9/2010 10:31:42 AM |

    There can be several kinds of chest pen but when it is related to heart disease, it becomes dangerous.  It’s very important that we should keep this in mind. Dilse India provides information about  chest pain. The information can be helpful for those who have chest pain and there is danger of heart disease.
    Website : Risk of chest pain

  • online pharmacy

    3/7/2011 8:49:40 AM |

    Previous research has suggested that vitamin D levels were inherited, in part, but a new study of 33,996 people has found three specific genetic variants that seem to correlate with a person's levels of vitamin D.

  • Shashin Patel

    6/7/2011 1:04:18 PM |

    This is a great post. It contains a lot of important information about Vitamin D and how much should its requirement be. I came across one nice article about Vitamin D and wonder if you like it. To know more click on the link  below:
    Boca Wellness and Nutrition

  • Rohan

    6/9/2011 5:51:38 PM |

    Fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of potassium which helps to regulate fluids and maintain normal blood pressure. That includes bananas, sweet potatoes, avocados and cantaloupes in your diet.
    You may find more information on Boca Wellness and Nutrition

  • Shashin Patel

    6/15/2011 3:42:48 PM |

    Nice video about Vitamin D and its facts. You can find it at
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhWK6ktRI1Y

  • [...] around 50ng/ml. I've read others experiencing similar.   "Unique vitamin D observations"  Unique vitamin D observations | Track Your Plaque Blog  snippet:    ...–Immunity from viral infections–I first learned of this association [...]

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The recognition of the metabolic syndrome as a distinct collection of factors that raise heart disease risk has been a great step forward in helping us understand many of the causes behind heart disease.

Curiously, there's not complete agreement on precisely how to define metabolic syndrome. The American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute issued a concensus statement in 2005 that "defined" metabolic syndrome as anyone having any 3 of the 5 following signs:





Waist size 40 inches or greater in men; 35 inches or greater in women

Triglycerides 150 mg/dL or greater (or treatment for high triglycerides)

HDL-C <40 mg/dL in men; <50 mg/dL in women (or treatment for reduced HDL-C)

Blood Pressure >130 mmHg systolic; or >85 mmHg diastolic (or drug treatment for hypertension)

Glucose (fasting) >100 mg/dL (or drug treatment for elevated glucose)


Using this definition, it has become clear that meeting these criteria triple your risk of heart attack.

But can you have the risk of metabolic syndrome even without meeting the criteria? What if your waste size (male) is, 36 inches, not the 40 inches required to meet that criterion; and your triglycerides are 160, but you meet none of the other requirements?

In our experience, you certainly can carry the same risk. Why? The crude criteria developed for the primary practitioner tries to employ pedestrian, everyday measures.

We see people every day who do not meet the criteria of the metabolic syndrome yet have hidden factors that still confer the same risk. This includes small LDL; a lack of healthy large HDL despite a normal total HDL; postprandial IDL; exercise-induced high blood pressure; and inflammation. These are all associated with the metabolic syndrome, too, but they are not part of the standard definition.

I take issue in particular with the waist requirement. This one measure has, in fact, gotten lots of press lately. Some people have even claimed that waist size is the only requirement necessary to diagnose metabolic syndrome.

Our experience is that features of the metabolic syndrome can occur at any waist size, though it increases in likelihood and severity the larger the waist size. I have seen hundreds of instances in which waist size was 32-38 inches in a male, far less than 35 inches in a female, yet small LDL is wildly out of control, IDL is sky high, and C-reactive protein is markedly increased. These people obtain substantial risk from these patterns, though they don't meet the standard definition.

To me, having to meet the waist requirement for recogition of metabolic syndrome is like finally accepting that you have breast cancer when you feel the two-inch mass in your breast--it's too late.

Recognize that the standard definition when you seen it is a crude tool meant for broad consumption. You and I can do far better.
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Can millet make you diabetic?

Can millet make you diabetic?
















If wheat is so bad, what about all the other grains?

First of all, I demonize wheat because of its top-of-the-list role in triggering:

--Appetite--Wheat increases hunger dramatically
--Insulin
--Blood sugar--Wheat is worse than table sugar in triggering a rapid, large rise in blood sugar
--Triglycerides
--Small LDL particles--the number one cause for heart disease in the U.S.
--Reduced HDL
--Diabetes
--Autoimmune diseases--Most notably celiac disease and thyroiditis.

Most other "healthy, whole grains" aren't quite as bad. It's a matter of degree.

Millet, quinoa, oats, sorghum, bulghur, spelt, barley, cornmeal--While they don't trigger appetite nor autoimmune diseases like wheat does (oat can in some people), they still pose a significant carbohydrate load sufficient to generate the other phenomena like excessive insulin and blood sugar responses. The grams of carbohydrate of these grains are virtually identical to wheat: 43.5 grams per 1/2 cup (uncooked). The exceptions are barley, which is especially loaded with carbohydrates: 104 grams per 1/2 cup, while oats are lower: 33 g per 1/2 cup.

It's all a matter of degree. Some people who are exceptionally carbohydrate-sensitive (like me) can have diabetic blood sugars with just slow-cooked oatmeal or quinoa. Others aren't quite so sensitive and can get away with eating them.

People with high blood sugars (100 mg/dl or greater) can be very sensitive to the blood sugar effects of these grain carbohydrates. The best marker of all are small LDL particles measured on a lipoprotein panel, such as NMR. Small LDL particles are exquisitely sensitive to your carbohydrate intake: small LDL gets worse with excessive sensitivity to grain carbohydrates, gets better with reduction or elimination.

Flagrant small LDL, in combination with low HDL, high triglycerides, and pre-diabetic or diabetic patterns all develop from carbohydrate indulgence, along with "wheat belly."

Don't believe it? The prove it to yourself: Go to Walmart and buy an inexpensive glucose meter and check your blood sugar one hour after eating. You can gauge the health of these foods by observing the blood sugar increases. (Small LDL closely parallels blood sugar rises.)

The grain that fails to trigger any of these abnormal patterns? Flaxseed. Flaxseed is entirely protein, fiber, and healthy oils, with virtually no digestible starches. In fact, flaxseed is one of the few foods that reduces the quantity of small LDL particles.

Comments (10) -

  • Brock Cusick

    3/5/2009 1:44:00 PM |

    What you say is true, but the archaeological records tells us that insulin changes immediately after eating cannot be the whole story. Studies of carbohydrate-based cultures in Africa found that several of them were in very good health mostly free of the diseases of civilization despite a heavy carb load. A couple points for full disclosure:

    1. The majority of the carbohydrate load came from tubers and plantains, not grains, but grains were a part of the diet.

    2. The more carnivorous cultures also studied that avoided carbs were in better health, if slightly.

    3. What grains they consumed were ground, soaked and fermented to reduce the amount of phytic acid and other tannins and increase the availability of nutrients.

    So I will not be the one who insists that you can eat you're bread. I avoid wheat and rye because of the near-indigestible gluten, but the other grains can be healthy if prepared correctly.

    Here's a post from another blogger with medical training that has looked into this quite closely:

    http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/01/how-to-eat-grains.html

  • Anonymous

    3/5/2009 2:56:00 PM |

    Thank you for explaining this more thoroughly... I have been wondering about the other grains, besides wheat, so this is helpful.
    ------------
    Here's a (true) recent exchange with a high school friend in a Facebook posting:

    ::K***:: is back on her Diabetic food plan and unplugging the bread machine.

    ::Friend 1::
    that evil gluten!!!!!

    ::Friend 2: ME::
    Evil wheat... and other grains!

    ::K***::
    Whole grains are good for my diabetes, not just in large quantities!
    ------------
    It appears that with doctor or dietician-encouraged brainwashing about grains, and following an American Diabetes Assn. diet (with an occasional falling off the wagon to bake cinnamon rolls and other pastries), this woman is probably doomed to the ravages of this horrible disease.

    I'm not trying to be judgmental about this particular person, but rather illustrate how a carb addict can justify their carb addiction, and at the same time think they are actually following a "healthy" diet, cheered on by their well-meaning but uninformed doctors and dieticians.

    Yes, like many or most of us, I love carbs... but, due to extensive research (and a strong rebellious streak) I follow most of the TYP guidelines and I mostly eat Paleo now.  It's not always easy, but it's my best chance to avoid diabetes, and the ugly consequences of heart disease.

    I feel badly for my friend, but I don't think she wants conversion... rather, an easier way to continue to indulge in carbs via those 'healthy' whole grains.  It's not my job to change the world... I have enough trouble just with ::me::.

    madcook

  • Kiwi

    3/5/2009 8:46:00 PM |

    So what is it about wheat that makes it worse than the other grains? Is it the refining or is there something inherently bad about it's chemical structure. Anyone know?

  • Anonymous

    3/6/2009 12:48:00 AM |

    Question for Dr. Davis:

    Do you ever use glycated hemoglobin as a way to gauge patient's carb intake?

    How useful is it as an indicator, and what would you consider an optimal glycated hemoglobin level?

  • Anonymous

    3/6/2009 5:21:00 AM |

    What about oat bran?  It has a moderately high level of carbohydrates to fiber ratio, 25g carbs to 6g fiber, per 1/2 cup serving. It's just a little better ratio than a 1/2 cup of whole oats (27g:4g).  I'm just curious, because I gave it up a long while ago, is it now safe to say that oat bran is no longer blanketly recommended in the TYP protocol in decreasing LDL cholesterol?

    Here's my own personal daily "soluble fiber protocol" (ratio - carbs:fiber):

    - 1 tbsp Konsyl psyllium husk (not Metimucil which has sucrose or aspartame) - 2g;9g

    - 2 tbsp organic milled flax seed -  4g:4g

    - 2 tbsp white chia seeds - 6g:5g

    - 3 tbsp organic raw cacao nibs -  10g:9g

    I also regularly nibble on raw almonds, pistachios, and walnuts which are rich in fat, protein, and fiber, and contain little carbohydrates.

  • Anonymous

    3/6/2009 9:20:00 PM |

    i did not see any mention of rice, either brown or white.  is it relatively ok?  substantial populations eat large quantities of it with apparently little/no advese effect

  • Mary K

    3/7/2009 5:33:00 AM |

    Like anonymous, I am also curious about rice. Guam has rampant diabetes and the local diet is big on rice (and red rice, which is flavored with achiote seeds). It seems to me if they focused on taro, which is a root, they would have healthier diets (umm, as long as they eliminated all fried foods, too). Would this be a reasonable assumption?

  • Anne

    3/7/2009 3:12:00 PM |

    Six months ago I bought a glucometer and started checking my blood glucose as suggested in Blood Sugar 101 http://www.phlaunt.com/diabetes/ I discovered my blood sugar, although under 100 when fasting, was over 200 after eating. All grains and starchy vegetables cause a dangerous rise in my blood sugar. I have had to limit my fruits to only a couple of bites at a time. A handful of nuts does not raise my blood sugar.

    Great advice to check your own after meal blood glucose. Although post prandial blood glucose can become abnormal 10 years or more before the fasting level becomes abnormal, most doctors test fasting levels only. That is one reason why people often have complications of diabetes such as neuropathy and retinopathy by the time they get a diagnosed.

  • Trinkwasser

    3/7/2009 3:29:00 PM |

    Some of these reactions have a personal component, I wonder if differences in digestive enzymes are to blame. I can eat oatcakes even at breakfast (in sufficiently small quantities) and quinoa without shifting my BG, obviously I have no Phase 1 insulin but sufficient Phase 2 to deal with relatively low GI stuff.

    The only thing worse than wheat for me is wheat mixed with other carbs, the BG spike suggests they are converted to glucose in parallel rather than in series. Other grains are doable in sufficiently small quantities but in general I limit them all and prefer other veggies as carb sources except when I need to deliberately adjust my BG

  • buy jeans

    11/3/2010 3:50:56 PM |

    Don't believe it? The prove it to yourself: Go to Walmart and buy an inexpensive glucose meter and check your blood sugar one hour after eating. You can gauge the health of these foods by observing the blood sugar increases. (Small LDL closely parallels blood sugar rises.)

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Life without Lipitor

Life without Lipitor

One of the most common reasons people come to my office is to correct high cholesterol values without Lipitor. (Substitute "Lipitor" with Crestor, simvastatin, Vytorin, or any of the other cholesterol drugs; it's much the same.)

In the world of conventional healthcare, in which you are instructed to follow a diet that increases risk for heart disease and not advised to correct nutrient deficiencies like vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, then a drug like Lipitor may indeed provide benefit.

But when you are provided genuinely effective information on diet, along with correction of nutrient deficiencies, then the "need" and apparent benefits of Lipitor largely dissolve. While there are occasional genetic anomalies that can improve with use of Lipitor and other statins, many, perhaps most, people taking these drugs really would not have to if they were just provided the right information.

Anyone following the discussions on these pages knows that wheat elimination is probably one of the most powerful overall health strategies available. Wheat elimination reduces real measured LDL quite dramatically. Provided you limit other carbohydrates, such as those from fruits, as well, LDL can drop like a stone. That's not what your doctor tells you. This approach works because elimination of wheat and limiting other carbohydrates reduces small LDL. Small LDL particles are triggered by carbohydrates, especially wheat; reducing carbohydrates reduces small LDL. Conventional LDL of the sort obtained in your doctor's office will not show this, since it is a calculated value that appears to increase with reduced carbohydrates, a misleading result.

Throw vitamin D normalization and iodine + thyroid normalization into the mix (both are exceptionally common), and you have two additional potent means to reduce (measured) LDL. Not restricting fat but increasing healthy fat intake, such as the fats in lots of raw nuts, olive oil, and flaxseed oil reduce LDL.

While I still prescribe statins now and then, a growing number of people are succeeding without them.

(Note that by "measured" LDL I am referring to the "gold standard," LDL particle number by NMR provided by Liposcience. A second best is measured Apoprotein B available through most conventional labs.)

Comments (17) -

  • Anonymous

    6/25/2010 5:19:20 PM |

    Hi Dr. Davis,

    I follow much of your advice.  On my NMR, I had an LDL of 50 and particle number of "less than 300".  Also, HDL was 82.  My LDL particle size was 21.1.  Large VLDL was 2.6 nmol/L (and the share of large VLDL was above the reference range), but I did the test postprandially.  My small LDL was "less than 90".  Interestingly, last year, my LDL particle number was 530 and small LDL was 120, but LDL size was larger at 22.3.  Is there anything to make of this?

  • Anonymous

    6/25/2010 7:02:42 PM |

    I'd like to see a discussion of what you'd do for a patient who didn't eat wheat, was on a LC diet, ate a lot of fish, had high vitamin D levels, had normal thyroid tests and still had high LDL levels.

  • Dan

    6/25/2010 7:31:34 PM |

    My father takes Lipitor.  He's also suffering from occasional short term memory loss (he's visiting a neurologist often to figure out why).  I'm damn sure it's because of the statins.  I've been on the "no wheat" & high good fat diet for a while and am in great shape.  I Can't get my father to ditch the drug and adopt my diet though (even if he does, I'm not sure if the memory issue will resolve itself).  Going against conventional wisdom is a constant uphill battle.

  • JamesSteeleII

    6/25/2010 9:07:32 PM |

    "...then the "need" and apparent benefits of Lipitor largely dissolve."

    I was unaware that there was any research supporting statin use at all except maybe in one group (men under 65 with pre-existing conditions) which is still questionable. Could you further explain what this 'need' might actually be in abscence of such dietary intervention?

  • mongander

    6/26/2010 1:58:26 AM |

    8 months ago my 91 year old mother was out of her mind in the hospital.  She had no idea where she was and was too weak to walk to the bathroom.  She was falling frequently.

    Now that she's off lipitor she has a new lease on life.  She works in her flower garden and bathes herself.  

    I'm now her caregiver and ensure that she takes 5 to 10 thousand iu of D3, Iodoral, 200 mg Ubiquinol, and a couple of grams of fishoil, but the biggest move, in my opinion, was taking her off Lipitor.

    We have no family history of heart disease.

  • Anonymous

    6/26/2010 10:38:27 AM |

    This advice works!

  • David M Gordon

    6/26/2010 2:08:23 PM |

    I know you intended "Life without Lipitor" to be for all your readers, Dr. Davis, but you might as well have written it for me (because of my earlier importunate and selfish request). Thank you.

    Some things I still do not get, noted as they appear in your post:
    1) Eliminate fruit?! Fruit, rich with nutrients, now is bad because fruit also comes packed with sugar (its complex carbs)? I respect the notion to eliminate carbs, especially wheat and other grains, but this notion seems rather... narrow. HELP!
    2) "Conventional LDL of the sort obtained in your doctor's office": What test is this? Do you mean the phlebotomist (in the doctor's office) who sends the blood sample to Quest or LabCorp to obtain the calculated score?

    Thank you for these, and all future clarifications. And for this site, of course.

    Best wishes,

  • Anonymous

    6/26/2010 3:14:47 PM |

    while you seem to recommend nuts be a part of the diet, what do you tell your patients who are allergic to nuts?  Peanuts ok?

  • D.M.

    6/26/2010 5:05:55 PM |

    Agree with much of the article but not sure about this:

    "increasing healthy fat intake, such as the fats in lots of raw nuts, olive oil, and flaxseed oil reduce LDL."

    All of these will contain unnaturally* large amounts of omega 6 (at least 9g/100g of almonds or olive oil, for example, or 12g/100 for flax oil). This will unquestionably drive up oxidised (atherogenic) LDL cholesterol. (See WholeHealthSource for details). Is there any reason at all to think that natural saturated fat isn't a far safer option (that will drive up HDL)? I can understand why one would worry at saturated fat increasing "cholesterol" back in the day before we could analyse lipid fractions, but what reason do we have to think it would have negative effects now?

  • Hans Keer

    6/26/2010 5:16:20 PM |

    Very good doc. I hope you come to the point that you will no longer subscribe statins at all.

  • Anonymous

    6/27/2010 3:39:41 AM |

    DM Wrote:

    All of these will contain unnaturally* large amounts of omega 6 (at least 9g/100g of almonds or olive oil, for example, or 12g/100 for flax oil). This will unquestionably drive up oxidised (atherogenic) LDL cholesterol. (See WholeHealthSource for details). Is there any reason at all to think that natural saturated fat isn't a far safer option (that will drive up HDL)? I can understand why one would worry at saturated fat increasing "cholesterol" back in the day before we could analyse lipid fractions, but what reason do we have to think it would have negative effects now?

    ----------------

    Hi DM, I was the first anonymous up top.  I follow Dr. Davis' advice and eat lots of omega-6 rich nuts and, as you can see from the numbers above, my LDL and HDL look pretty good.  Also, my crp was .18 mg/L which is quite low and lp(a) was 2, so I doubt I have much inflammation/oxidation etc.

  • Jeff@muscle mass building

    6/28/2010 4:02:55 PM |

    What are lipitors? Is there any substitute for lipitors?

  • Jeff@muscle mass building

    6/28/2010 4:02:55 PM |

    What are lipitors? Is there any substitute for lipitors?

  • Anonymous

    6/28/2010 7:08:43 PM |

    I've been taking off the shelf Red Yeast Rice instead of lipitor. Works great! My LDL cholesterol went down down down.

    -- Boris

  • D.M.

    6/29/2010 6:01:04 PM |

    @ Anonymous-with-pretty-good-cholesterol.

    That's good for you, but the studies show that across large groups, omega-6 will raise the amount of oxidised LDL, which is probably a *bad* thing for cardiovascular health. Stephan discusses this here: http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/07/diet-heart-hypothesis-oxidized-ldl-part.html and here http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/07/animal-models-of-atherosclerosis-ldl.html

  • Bill Meli

    7/1/2010 6:27:07 PM |

    Does anyone have a sample diet that they follow that is recommended from this website. I have recently eliminated all sugars from my diet and eat 7 small meals a day, but would like some help on seeing a recommended diet that is wheat free, also interested in what supplements people are taking. Thank you!

  • shaheel

    9/27/2010 12:39:49 PM |

    Heart  disease is one of the most  dangerous disease which takes thousands of life every years all over the world. If we know its symptoms and Treatment for heart disease. We can prevent is to large extent.

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Supermarkets and buggy whips

Supermarkets and buggy whips

Will supermarkets eventually phase out, joining the history books as a phenomenon of the past? Or are supermarkets here to stay, an emblem of the industrialization of our food--easy access to foods that are convenient, suit the undiscriminating masses, stripped of nutritional value despite the prominent health claim on the package front?

Anna left an insightful comment on the last Heart Scan Blog post, Sterols should be outlawed, along with some useful advice on how to avoid this trap for poor health called a supermarket:


I rarely shop in regular supermarkets anymore (farm subscription for veggies, meat bought in bulk for the freezer, eggs from a local individual, fish from a fish market, freshly roasted coffee from a local coffee place, etc.). What little else I need comes from quirky Trader Joe's (dark chocolate!), the fish market, farmer's markets, a small natural foods store, or mail order.

When I do need to go into one of the many huge supermarkets near me, not being a regular shopper there, I never know where anything is, so I have to ramble a bit around the aisles before I find what I'm looking for (and I almost always can grab a hand basket, instead of a trolley cart).

It's almost like being on another planet! There's always so many new products (most of them I hesitate to even call food). It's really a shock to the senses now to see how much stuff supermarkets sell that I wouldn't even pick up to read the label, let alone put in a cart or want to taste. I'm not even tempted by 99% of the tasting samples handed out by the sweet senior ladies in at Costco anymore (only thing I remember tasting at Costco in at least 6 mos was the Kerrygold Irish cheese, because I know their cows have pasture access and it's real food).

What's really shocking to me is how large some sections of the markets have become in recent years. While Americans got larger, so did some sections of the supermarket (hint - good idea to limit the consumption of products from those areas). Meat and seafood counters have shrunk, though. Produce areas seem to be about the same size as always (but more of it is pre-prepped and RTE in packaging.

But the chilled juice section is h-u-g-e! And no, I don't think there is a Florida orange grove behind the cases. Come on, how much juice do people need? Juice glasses used to be teeny tiny, for a good reason. To me it looks like a long wall stocked full of sugar water. Avoiding that section will put a nice dent in the grocery expenses.

The yogurt case is also e-n-o-r-m-o-u-s! Your 115 yo Bulgarian "grandmother" wouldn't know what to make of all these "pseudo-yogurts"! Chock full of every possible variety, but very little fit to eat. The only yogurts I'll look at are made with plain whole milk, without added gums, emulsifiers, or non-fat milk solids, and live cultures (I mostly buy yogurt now and then to refresh my starter culture at home). I can flavor them at home if needed. The sterols are showing up in processed yogurts, too, along with patented new strains of probiotic cultures (I'll stick to my old fashioned, but time-proven homemade lacto-cultured veggies and yogurt instead).

I found the same "cooler spread" in the butter & "spread" section. The spread options were just grotesque sounding. Actually, the butter options weren't much better, as many were blended with other ingredients to increase spreadability, reduce calories or cholesterol/saturated fat, etc. A few plain butters were enhanced with "butter flavor" - say what? And on no package could it be determined if the butter came from cows that were naturally fed on pasture or on grain in confined pens.



Well said, Anna.

There's a huge supermarket about 1 mile away from my house similar to the one Anna describes with aisle after aisle of eye-catching cellophane-wrapped foods. I go there about every 3 or 4 months, and then I only go to get something I need in a pinch. Every time I go, I too am reminded just how many products there are that look more like junk food than real food.

But there's no real money in real food. Who gets rich off of selling green peppers, tomatoes, and eggs?

Supermarkets sell these modern industrial foods because people buy it: Look around you. You don't get to be a 250 lb 5 ft 2 inch-woman by eating too many cucumbers.

Like Anna, I drive an additional several miles to Trader Joes', buy at farmers' markets whenever possible, buy some odds and ends like wine and cheese and raw nuts at specialty stores. I grow my own basil in a big pot I keep in the kitchen and we are just about to start turning over the soil in the back yard for our vegetable garden. I don't need nor do I miss having the choice among 40 different chips, 25 brands of ready-made microwavable dinners, an entire aisle of breakfast cereasl (all of which are virtually the same with different names and labels), or 75 varieties of salad dressing.

The supermarket for me--and I hope for many of you--has become a place rarely frequented, and only for the odd forgotten item. Oh, I forgot the dog chewies the grocery does have--my dogs love them. So perhaps they are good for something after all.

Comments (17) -

  • Anonymous

    3/17/2009 1:15:00 PM |

    A nice thought, to demodernize and go back to the days of a different shop and source for every grocery item, but even when trying to live clean, supermarkets can still win out budget-wise during these troubled times.  I'm mostly living off of frozen vegetables and lots of canned salmon etc.  The food *ideal*?  No.  But it's not trash, either.

    Don't throw out the baby with the bath water!

  • Brock Cusick

    3/17/2009 1:56:00 PM |

    The first and most important problem with grocery stores is that they're allowed to take bribes from the food vendors. That means they really work for the food vendors with the greatest degree of vertical integration, organization & bargaining leverage (e.g., Coca-Cola, Kellogs, the Florida Orange Growers Association, etc.) and not for the customers that shop the aisles.  This perverse incentive explains almost everything that's wrong with supermarkets today.

    The second biggest problem is that those same parties I mentioned above have taken control of the political process that governs nutritional disclosure, creating barriers of ignorance between "customers" at the grocery stores and truly useful information.

  • JPB

    3/17/2009 4:07:00 PM |

    Comment to Brock:  Your comment could also apply directly to the medical profession with a little editing!

  • Anonymous

    3/17/2009 5:37:00 PM |

    Anna is lucky to be able to find all these natural, organic, pasture raised produce, but some of us are not lucky enough to afford or find space for large freezers in our tiny apartment sized fridges. It's still winter here so no markets with fresh produce, no free range hens grazing in the snow and below zero temperatures. However, I do frequent the halal and polish meat markets whenever possible. We don't have a trader joe's and the 2 organic markets here may as well post a sign on the door "only millionaires can afford to shop here." Supermarkets are ok if you know what sections to shop in and what to buy. They are also starting to stock organic products like cheese made with raw milk (which is banned in Canada btw).

    Sorry about the rant but not everyone is as fortunate as others.

  • Lola

    3/17/2009 10:00:00 PM |

    Supermarkets will exist as long as there are people who are simply too busy or don't have the energy to get to all those different stores. In the old days when "main street" could still be counted on, you could go to the grocer, butcher, fishmonger, baker etc all within a short distance of each other. Now you often have to drive, bus, walk all over town to get to them.  For most low income people, this is not an option. Working two minimum wage jobs doesn't leave much time or energy except to get in and out of a supermarket as quickly as possible. A disabled person may not even have good access to some of these places. [When my hypothyroidism was at the height of its untreated awfulness, going to more than one store in a day was unthinkable.] Bear in mind also that many low-income people live in areas where the only food stores are a crappy supermarket and fast food outlets and no other places will open because they know nobody can afford it.

    If we *really* want to improve peoples' health, then we need to work on eradicating the causes and effects of poverty. It's no good if we get an organic market to open in the ghetto or rural town if people can't afford to go there or aren't able to get there. Perhaps instead of all the food subsidies going to Big Farming, we could subsidise business owners that wanted to open in low-income areas. But somehow when the government uses money that will help the poor it's Evil Pinko Commie Welfare but when giving the same money to big business it's fine and dandy. That's why I don't think the government (and it doesn't matter whether Democrat or Republican) doesn't actually care about health despite all the bleating about obeeeeeesity.

  • baldsue

    3/17/2009 10:53:00 PM |

    Nope, I didn't slim down from size 14 to size 2 by walking the aisles of my local supermarket.  Instead I rode my bike to the farm down yonder for my fruits and veggies and I hopped into my car to drive to Trader Joes and Whole Foods for the rest of my nutrients.  And that's the way it's going to stay for me.

  • vin

    3/18/2009 10:55:00 AM |

    I buy all my fresh greens, fruits, fish and nuts from my supermarket. Frozen and canned foods are useful in the winter months.

    Rest of the food asiles are simply not interesting.

    Local green grocer's shop has usually little choice and very often unripe food.

    Just look around in the supermarket and you can find almost everything you need to stay healthy.

  • Kipper

    3/18/2009 11:35:00 AM |

    Supermarkets are to some extent what you make of them. I end up at Safeway fairly often due to my schedule, but I couldn't tell you what was in most of the interior aisles or freezer cases.

  • Anne

    3/18/2009 1:08:00 PM |

    There's no fishmongers or butchers which sell organic produce near me, and no greengrocers which sell organic produce either, nor farmer's markets, but I hardly ever set foot in a supermarket ! Instead I shop online in the comfort of my living room from them ! I buy organic meat, fish, fruit and veggies, tea and coffee, and household items, from my supermarket, but because I buy online I don't have to pass shelves and shelves of junk food and get a headache from the bad atmosphere there. The prices are the same whether online or in store and there's no delivery charge because I get my shopping mid week - it's a fantastic deal which saves stress, time and money Smile

    Anne

  • Anonymous

    3/18/2009 2:37:00 PM |

    Good points made in the above comments!

    I would LOVE a Trader Joe's or a farmers market, or even a Whole Foods market in my area... they aren't here in the suburbs where I live... all are 20 miles away in the city, or simply non-existent here.

    It just doesn't make sense to drive that far for my food (utilizing some of the outlets quoted by Dr. Davis in his blog post), and only patronizing some of these type outlets frankly sounds a bit elitist... and quite expensive, too.

    Rather, the commitment to good health requires some resourcefulness... I'm into figuring out what I CAN healthfully eat from Randall's (Safeway), Kroger, H*E*B, and Costco... stores reasonably close.  I'm into planting my own fresh herbs, and a small "victory" garden of vegetables we enjoy... it's fun, challenging, and good exercise, too.

    But I am fortunate... I have a generous food budget, I live in a reasonably populated area, with excellent weather and growing conditions most of the year, and access to fresh produce and quality supermarket foods year round.  Just mostly stay away from the center of the supermarket, be knowledgeable and selective while there, and you will be fine... that's my advice... oh, and if people don't continue to buy junk, the "supers" won't be stocking it for very long.

    madcook

  • Gretchen

    3/18/2009 3:24:00 PM |

    I agree with some others that not everyone can afford to shop at upscale organic markets. Not everyone has access to locally produced farm produce.

    We have to work with what's available, and unfortunately, the people who need the most help nutritionally are the ones who can't afford fresh food.

    We need to educate people about how to find better food at a supermarket.

  • scall0way

    3/18/2009 3:47:00 PM |

    OK, I shop at a supermarket! But I'm mostly a "perimeter shopper" - produce, dairy, meats, etc. But it's convenient because I can buy things like paper goods, detergents, light bulbs, all those other non-food items that supermarkets carry. The place is only a little over a mile from my house. I save on gas and energy. I do love the local farmer's market - but it's only open June-November. I do love Trader Joe's - but there are none nearby. It's a haul to get to one, so I limit my trips. I love Whole Foods, but it's too expensive other than for certain special items.

    But I would not even give my *dogs* food or treats from a supermarket. We get our food and treats from a pet store whose philosophy gibes pretty well with my own. Founded to: "provide our customers with the healthiest foods, best products and highest quality of pet-animals ever assembled in one store...We believe that animals should eat what nature intended them to eat, along with a variety of natural supplements."

    LOL, not only is my own health better these days, but so is the health of my pets. Smile

  • Monica

    3/19/2009 8:44:00 PM |

    Pet snacks from the supermarket?!  Smile

    OK, I have to admit that made my eyebrows go up.  I happened upon healthy eating for myself by first figuring out what was healthy for my pets when the pet food scare happened a few years ago.  I doubt dog chewies contain melamine, and perhaps they aren't a routine in many households, but they're not an evolutionarily appropriate food for dogs.  The only pet snacks I get at the supermarket are the big chunks of raw meat that get thrown to my dog and cats daily... the food they were designed to eat.  (I can almost hear people exclaim how expensive this is but it's way cheaper because the meals themselves are treats because they take 15-30 minutes to eat.)

    90% of the stuff in the grocery store isn't fit for human consumption, that's true.  However, it's still very handy for many things.  You can completely avoid the unhealthy stuff with a little effort.  That's not even remotely possible in the pet aisle in which every single product is a derivative piece of frankenfood.  

    Throw your dog or cat a raw meaty bone and some organ meats now and then.  They will thank you with good health once they have been getting real food long enough.  You will never need a $300 tooth cleaning at the vet, that is for sure.

  • Rob

    3/19/2009 9:30:00 PM |

    From what I have seen of TJ's and Whole Foods, you can do yourself a lot of the same harm in the center of these stores as the local MegaMart.   Stick to the outsides no matter which store you shop in.  Although! I will say that I recognize most of the ingredients in JT's inner aisle food, not so true of the supermarket! And I like the sardines at TJ's.

  • Anna

    3/21/2009 7:48:00 AM |

    Great comments, everyone.  Yes, it's true, we all have different circumstances, different locations and climates, different food budgets, and different ways of coping with our food sourcing options.   The most important thing is to find what works best with the resources/options one has (assuming one knows all the resources).  But so many don't even ever consider looking "outside the box" or think about how to do it without relying on a supermarket.  I am continually amazed at how many terrific resources are out there, not just here in So Cal, but in many communities, practically in people's own backyards, but they don't know about it or take advantage.

    Even the 99 cents store has some good options, if one can avoid the minefields of cheap sugars, starches and processed foods.  That's were I go to shop for  my donations to the local food pantry, where they mainly want non-perishables in unbreakable packaging.  I buy canned and pouched salmon, sardines, and tuna there, because I know so few complete protein foods are donated.  

    I do think it's possible to eat pretty well from a supermarket *if* one is disciplined, truly informed and willing to forgo convenience for real food, but there are so many hazards at the supermarket that many can't easily avoid or don't know to avoid (especially if they are paying attention to mass media nutrition advice).  I'm sure it didn't save me any time to shop there way back when and it certainly wasn't very enjoyable.  I know I spent more money there for food that wasn't as good for us (I was too easily tempted and distracted too often), despite ironically trying very hard to pinch pennies with coupons, sale circulars, buyer's cards, and shopping around.  

    We *are* fortunate with our mild local climate and long growing season, but I know people in Madison, WI and upstate NY who have great produce from their CSAs, too, just in a shorter time frame (though many practice traditional food storage methods, like root cellaring and lacto-fermentation to extend the harvest).  Some CSAs allow for a trade of labor instead of payment, too.  My neighbor and I take turns on pickups for our biweekly CSA boxes, so I only have to make a 14 minute (round trip) drive once a month for most of my produce, a huge timesaver (I do understand there are transport issues for some people and I know I'm fortunate to have a car, but I *could* (but don't very often) ride a bike to get my food at stores or the CSA spot, too - I have two shopping baskets that easily detach from the rear rack).  My CSA pickup point is in the other direction of the stores, but only a tiny bit farther and in a somewhat rural, natural part of town, far more pleasant than the long cashier lines, parking lots,  and stop-& go traffic hazards near the stores.

    I'm probably going to host a new pickup point next quarter at my house, so now our community will then have east, west, *and* a central pickup location, making this CSA even more convenient for more people who want to join (there's a waiting list).  The CSA can to expand from 1500 to 2000 members if they add some new pickup spots.  New CSAs with slightly different membership models have started up in recent years offering even more choices for people, too.

    But is it more expensive?  My CSA's large biweekly box costs $30 (there are two sizes, with weekly or biweekly options and any number of boxes can be canceled in advance before the start of a quarter, with 2 allowed cancelations with notice during the quarter - so it's quite flexible).  Members pay for their boxes in advance for a quarter year (though if I host a weekly pickup spot in the future, I'll get a box for free); I think $15 a week for the generous amount of high quality, just picked produce is *very* competitive with any store of any caliber in my area (except maybe the super low prices at the 99 cent store are less, but even then it would be close in cost; the variety and quality of the 99 cent store produce doesn't even come close).  I know people who spend that much or more on a delivery pizza or takeout for one meal for their family (or dvd rentals for the weekend).  I think I could only do better if I grew it all myself (instead, I put my edible gardening efforts into "special" crops or lazy things like bananas, fig and citrus trees).

    We love eggs and consume a lot each week in many varied dishes.   The eggs I buy via my neighbor's co-worker are $1 cheaper per doz than the eggs I would buy in the store(thankfully my neighbor doesn't mind transporting several doz eggs once a week to me).   Prior to that, I had a "backyard" egg source that was even cheaper (half the store price), *and*  (maybe this is the elitist aspect) they delivered them to a cooler on my front porch because they were already delivering meat, eggs, and goat milk to a local alternative health institute (until the couple split up and ended their "backyard" farm business).  

    One of the few places I do get take-out now and then is the local, family owned (non-franchise) rotisserie chicken place.  I make salad and veggie sides at home, though.  Great chicken using marinade  ingredients I might use at home if I were roasting the chicken;  5 quarters (an extra leg) when you buy a whole chicken for $10 (it's the only thing I buy there, our family of three can eat off it for at least 2 meals, plus soup, and it doesn't have the chemical injections that the cheaper grocery store rotisserie chickens contain).   I watch other families spend $20-30 for a single meal every time I go there.  I often ask for 5 pieces to be legs because I know they always have lots legs (and they have more flavor and moisture), since nearly everyone else requests the "healthy" chicken breast combos.  Sometimes they have extra cooked whole chickens in their cooler for $4 (from earlier in the day or the night before), so I always get one or two extra when available.  And the old guy at the counter is always happy to make up a huge container of wings, backs, and meaty scraps for me, for my chicken broth; it makes really great mineral-rich flavorful broth.   So I have a cheap streak that wants to eke out everything but the cluck Wink.  I know families that throw away more food than my family eats.

    So clearly, I don't think putting a priority on wholesome unconventionally sourced food is necessarily really expensive, nor is it "elitist" at all  - we don't drive fancy cars and make other decisions that allow eating good food easier (both my husband and I grew up in families where money was quite scarce for significant periods of time, but both our mothers were extremely resourceful when it came to nourishing, economical food - so we are *very* mindful of how fortunate we are).  The  "elitism" charge that often comes up in food issue discussions distracts from the real issues.  I'm not suggesting there aren't considerable barriers to eating well for some people, there are, and some are very hard to overcome.  I donate regularly to the local food pantry and am very aware of local "food insecurity" issues, which of course have worsened  lately.  I'm also aware of how difficult it is to get fresh, nutrient dense food into the hands of those most needing it.

    But not everyone is in that sort of position, and some non-supermarket options can sometimes actually work better for people with difficulties sourcing good food, though of course, that will vary to situation to situation.  I'm just suggesting that it can be worth looking for alternatives; there *are* other options "outside the box" in many, if not most places; it sometimes just takes the desire and creativity to find and access them.  And sometimes it requires shifting priorities, which can be hard to do (especially if lacking support from significant others).  Believe me, my husband and I have shifted some of our priorities (financial as well as lifestyle considerations) to accommodate good food (and sitting down to meals together most nights) being high on our list of priorities.  We want to eat well, but that doesn't necessarily mean extravagantly.

  • Dr. William Davis

    3/21/2009 5:55:00 PM |

    Thanks for the well-thought out description of your experience, Anna.

  • Trinkwasser

    3/21/2009 7:50:00 PM |

    A big AMEN!!! from over here. I treat most of the supermarket as a toxic waste dump. Mother likes it because it's cheap and the floor is level. The rest of the town is on a hill and she has difficulty with hills so I get the rest of the stuff from the local shops.

    Mind you, the Organic Shop is something of a toxic waste dump too if you're trying to avoid carbs. And the supermarket is better than many others I've used in the past (Co-Op), they have Fairtrade stuff and the veggies aren't that bad. When I worked full time it was nearly as good as shopping around, you traded quality for convenience to a degree but you need discipline to work one properly.

    Can't beat locally grown meat, fish and veggies for quality though and sometimes they're not that much more expensive and occasionally cheaper, plus the money goes to local businesses rather than to anonymous shareholders: don't forget that supermarkets get their low prices by screwing their suppliers.

Loading
Diabetes: controlled or . . . cured?

Diabetes: controlled or . . . cured?

Russ had a beer belly, a big protuberant, hanging-over-the belt-on-top-of-skinny-legs sort of beer belly. Except he didn't get it from beer (only). Yes, he did drink beer, up to 3 or 4 per day on weekends, rarely during the week.

Russ got his "beer belly" from snack foods, processed foods, and yes, wheat products.

He came to my office for consultation for unexplained breathlessness. His primary care physician was stumped and asked for an opinion.

So, part of Russ' evaluation included laboratory work. Russ proved to have a blood sugar (glucose) of 136 mg/dl, well into the diabetic range. His insulin level was 102 microunits/ml, way above the desirable range of <10. I interpreted this to mean that Russ had early diabetes but still maintained vigorous pancreatic function, since the pancreas is the abdominal organ responsible for insulin production. In pre-diabetes and early diabetes, insulin levels can be high, reflecting the revved up output of the pancreas. However, the pancreas eventually "burns out," unable to keep up with the demand to product enormous quantities of insulin. That's when blood sugar skyrockets.

Along with the blood sugar and insulin, Russ showed all the expected markers of this syndrome (the "metabolic syndrome"): low HDL of 34 mg/dl, high triglycerides of 257 mg/dl, severe small LDL (80% of total LDL), high c-reactive protein, and high blood pressure.

A heart scan showed a surprisingly small amount of coronary plaque with a score of only 4. Thus, Russ' symptoms were unlikely to represent a coronary issue ("ischemia"). Breathlessness was far more likely to be from 1) his obesity and protuberant abdomen, large enough to encroach on his chest and lung volume, and 2) high blood pressure (which can, in turn, lead to high heart pressure and breathlessness, often called "left ventricular diastolic dysfunction").

I persuaded Russ to eliminate his previously flagrant and abundant over-reliance on wheat products and snack foods. Two months later, 15 lbs lighter, and a modestly less protuberant beer belly, Russ' laboratory evealuation showed:

--Blood sugar 90 mg/dl--normal.

--Insulin 12 microunit/ml--darn near normal.

Blood pressure was down 20 points. Russ' breathlessness was now entirely gone. He has another 30-40 lbs to go, but he's off to a great start. He is now clearly, solidly, and confidently NON-diabetic.

I see experiences like this every day, as do committed diabetes fighters like Jenny at Diabetes Update.

Why isn't this common practice? If pre-diabetes and diabetes can be cured by such a simple approach, why isn't it more widely embraced? After all, what other devastating diseases can claim to have such a simple, straightforward way to achieve cure?

And why does the American Diabetes Association (ADA) actually condone the inclusion of abundant carbohydrates in diabetics? Their modified food pyramid shows the widest part of the pyramid filled with "breads, grains, and other starches."



How about this question taken from a Q&A on the ADA website:

Can I eat foods with sugar in them?

For almost every person with diabetes, the answer is yes! Eating a piece of cake made with sugar will raise your blood glucose level. So will eating corn on the cob, a tomato sandwich, or lima beans. The truth is that sugar has gotten a bad reputation. People with diabetes can and do eat sugar. In your body, it becomes glucose, but so do the other foods mentioned above. With sugary foods, the rule is moderation. Eat too much, and 1) you'll send your blood glucose level up higher than you expected; 2) you'll fill up but without the nutrients that come with vegetables and grains; and 3) you'll gain weight. So, don't pass up a slice of birthday cake. Instead, eat a little less bread or potato, and replace it with the cake. Taking a brisk walk to burn some calories is also always helpful.


The answer is simple. Just as the American Heart Association focuses on ways to deliver the message of palliation, so does the ADA. So ADA diet advice is designed to help diabetics maintain a stable blood sugar on their medication. It is definitely not intended to reverse or eliminate diabetes. My patient Russ would be deep into diabetes on the ADA diet, enjoying his rolls, whole wheat bread, breakfast cereals, and birthday cake.

Once again, another example of the growing irrelevance of the "official" arbiters of health information for those of us looking for reversal of disease.

Comments (37) -

  • vlm

    11/28/2007 1:47:00 AM |

    I wish there were good answers to you questions.

    When I controlled my newly diagnosed mild diabetes with elimination of grains, starch, sugar and processed foods from my diet, dropping 70 pounds along the way, my doctor was astounded but ultimately not interested in the details of how I did it.  Same with the diabetes nutritionist.

    When I began to explain how I accomplished blood sugar control and weight loss without medication (coming off high blood pressure meds at the same time), and that my methods contradicted the ADA recommendations (and their advice), I was met with 'well, most people can't stick to that'.  End of discussion.  They don't want to know - they really don't want to know.  It's very disappointing because positive personal experience seems to count for nothing with the very people who are tasked with helping.  They actually disapprove of the approach I've taken because it contradicts convential wisdom and advice.  It seems they'd rather write off my experience as 'one of those things' than consider that there are ways to achieve blood sugar and weight control.

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 2:34:00 AM |

    Dave--

    Thanks. I took a look at Jimmy Moore's blog post from today. It is an excellent update on the changing landscape in carbohydrate restriction.

    I do fear, however, a politically correct lukewarm (at best) endorsement of the concept, since there is a great financial stake in maintaining the status quo. The number one monetary contributor to the American Diabetes Association, for example, is Cadbury-Schweppes, the world's number one candy and soft drink manufacturer.

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 2:38:00 AM |

    vlm--

    What a spectacular result!

    I say stick with what works, regardless of the ignorance of those around us. But be sure to educate your friends, family, and neighbors, particularly when they ask why you've looking so good.

  • Don

    11/28/2007 4:16:00 AM |

    Not only is the ADA. AMA and AHA becoming irrelevant so are the doctors who follow these destructive advices. Look for a paradigm shift-Dr. Davis is on the cutting edge of that shift.

  • Neelesh

    11/28/2007 8:08:00 AM |

    Dr Davis,
       I am from South India and the primary diet is white rice. There is a wide spread notion in our region that rice adds up to your weight and wheat is the best alternative. After reading your articles about wheat, I have switched back to rice, but this time, to raw brown rice.
       Are your observations about wheat also applicable for rice and other grains?

    -Neelesh

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 12:34:00 PM |

    Yes, it does, though rices, particularly the cruder forms like brown, are less of a culprit.

    However, the need to make these changes depends on lipid patterns such as low HDL, high triglycerides, and small LDL. If these apply to you, then an across-the-board reduction in high glycemic index foods like wheat and rice improves these patterns. However, if you have none of these patterns, then such a change may not be all that necessary.

  • Regina Wilshire

    11/28/2007 2:27:00 PM |

    I do fear, however, a politically correct lukewarm (at best) endorsement of the concept, since there is a great financial stake in maintaining the status quo.

    That's exactly why I haven't included the rumor that the ADA is revising to include low-carb as an option in their upcoming position statement for 2008 - I'll believe it when I see it.

    Bravo on this post Dr. Davis!

  • vin

    11/28/2007 2:34:00 PM |

    Dr Davis : You show ADA food pyramid with grains at one end.  Do you have an example of a food pyramid that you would suggest for track your plaque followers.

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 3:10:00 PM |

    I've always found the whole idea of a food pyramid kind of goofy. But, just truncating the entire bottom of the pyramid is what I would suggest. There is indeed room for non-wheat grains, such as flax and oats, but I base it on individual lipoprotein patterns.

    The new Track Your Plaque diet is still in the works.

  • prairie mary

    11/28/2007 5:54:00 PM |

    Another testimony to this idea: I was diagnosed with diabetes 2 when my retinas hemorrhaged slightly.  (Flashers and floaters.)  My glucose was at 300 and the doctor prescribed strong meds.  It was just after Christmas and everyone had sent me chocolate which I enjoyed.  After this diagnosis, I threw out the chocolate, did not eat sugar, flour (except a little as a binder in muffins), corn syrup, or any processed foods.  I quickly dropped the fifty pounds I'd been trying to lose over the previous two decades.  

    The strong meds sent me down to the 60's in glucose scores.  This made my doctor and her nurse angry -- they are 80 miles from me and I made contact on the phone.   Figuring I was on my own, I dropped all meds, then added back one metformin in the morning.  This has given me an a1c of 6.1.  The doctor refused to believe my reports.  There is no diabetes specialist for hundreds of miles, not even a nurse/counselor -- yet rates are very high.  My experience is shared by at least three other women in this village of 300.

    It appears that diabetes is one of the political diseases.  To say nothing of deliberate corporate evil.

    Prairie Mary

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 6:19:00 PM |

    Wow, Prairie!

    What an interesting experience. I love hearing about non-pharmaceutical successes!

  • Alan

    11/28/2007 9:07:00 PM |

    Dr Davis, I have been reading your blog with interest since we first "met" in cyberspace. You may remember that I heartily agree with your views on the ADA and it's dietary advice. I wrote on it a while ago: http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/2006/11/diabetes-authorities.html

    You post some very valuable advice. However, I do find it hard to accept "He is now clearly, solidly, and confidently NON-diabetic."

    To the best of my knowledge, there is no cure presently. I would not apply this to you, but my usual advice to any diabetic dealing with a doctor who claims to cure diabetes would be to find a new doctor. To me, until a complete cure is discovered, it is a four-letter word in that context.

    "Russ" may now be a very well-controlled type 2 diabetic, but he would still be a diabetic. As a diabetic in a similar position of good control I only have to test my blood glucose after an unwise high-carb meal to remind myself that I am not cured, just well-controlled.

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 9:12:00 PM |

    Hi, Alan--

    I agree that there is tremendous variation in insulin and glucose responses.

    However, I have seen many people who exhibit entirely normal after-eating responses when diet has been modified and after weight loss. Of course, not everybody achieves this, but many do.

  • G

    11/28/2007 10:40:00 PM |

    Wow, Dr. D -- that was the most superfabulous exposition!!!

    you hit it right on the nail!again!!

    We all exist somewhere on the 'Metabolic spectrum' -- having the ability to convert glucose energy from any food source (ie, tree bark, vegetation stems & leaves, etc, the quintessential Paleo diet) was actually a survival mechanism. Most races are hard wired that way, and some more especially so (perhaps they lived in more rigorously harsh environments like the Pima American Indians which have the highest rates of T2DM).
    I believe you are curing people -- if they maintain non-diabetic glucose levels (without meds) for some time then I believe that is a cure in my book. The corporate world is not ready to lose profits, and therefore they will always be hardpressed to acknowledge 'cures'.  But we're ready for cures!  keep bringin 'em on!!!!

    Non-Diabetic Glucose Ranges:
    Pre-meal = and < 99
    1-2h post meal < 120-130
    I h-a-t-e that pyramid... as you are aware... it should be flipped around w/ veggies on the BOTTOM, then raw nuts, fish oils.

    That was entirely lovely...THANK YOU!

  • G

    11/28/2007 10:51:00 PM |

    Ok, I cannot refrain in sharing these older studies which relevantly showed that either high carb was bad or that low carb was VERY GOOD for lowering TGs and raising HDLs and lower small atherogenic LDLs... (i apologize if the links get chopped up)

    Am J Med. 1987 Feb;82(2):213-20. Links
    Deleterious metabolic effects of high-carbohydrate, sucrose-containing diets in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
    Coulston AM, Hollenbeck CB, Swislocki AL, Chen YD, Reaven GM.
    The effects of variations in dietary carbohydrate and fat intake on various aspects of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism were studied in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Two test diets were utilized, and they were consumed in random order over two 15-day periods. One diet was low in fat and high in carbohydrate, and corresponded closely to recent recommendations made by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), containing (as percent of total calories) 20 percent protein, 20 percent fat, and 60 percent carbohydrate, with 10 percent of total calories as sucrose. The other diet contained 20 percent protein, 40 percent fat, and 40 percent carbohydrate, with sucrose accounting for 3 percent of total calories. Although plasma fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were similar with both diets, incremental glucose and insulin responses from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. were higher (p less than 0.01), and mean (+/- SEM) 24-hour urine glucose excretion was significantly greater (55 +/- 16 versus 26 +/- 4 g/24 hours p less than 0.02) in response to the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. In addition, fasting and postprandial triglyceride levels were increased (p less than 0.001 and p less than 0.05, respectively) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations were reduced (p less than 0.02) when patients with NIDDM ate the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. Finally, since low-density lipoprotein (LDL) concentrations did not change with diet, the HDL/LDL cholesterol ratio fell in response to the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. These results document that low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets, containing moderate amounts of sucrose, similar in composition to the recommendations of the ADA, have deleterious metabolic effects when consumed by patients with NIDDM for 15 days. Until it can be shown that these untoward effects are evanescent, and that long-term ingestion of similar diets will result in beneficial metabolic changes, it seems prudent to avoid the use of low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets containing moderate amounts of sucrose in patients with NIDDM.
    PMID: 3544839 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=3544839&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

  • G

    11/28/2007 10:52:00 PM |

    Am J Hypertens. 1990 Jul;3(7):527-32.
    Links Effect of low fat-high carbohydrate diets in hypertensive patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
    Fuh MM, Lee MM, Jeng CY, Ma F, Chen YD, Reaven GM.
    Department of Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Republic of China.
    Effects of variations in dietary fat and carbohydrate content on various aspects of glucose, insulin, and lipoprotein metabolism were evaluated in 11 patients with hypertension, who also had non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). All of these patients were being treated with sulfonylureas, thiazides, and beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists. The comparison diets contained either 40 or 60% of total calories as carbohydrate, with reciprocal changes in fat content from 40 to 20%. The diets were consumed in a random order for 15 days in a crossover experimental design. The ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fat and total cholesterol intake were held constant in the two diets. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly (P less than .001) elevated throughout the day when patients consumed the 60% carbohydrate diet. Fasting plasma total and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations increased by 30% (P less than .001) after 15 days on the 60% carbohydrate diet. Total plasma cholesterol concentrations were similar on both diets, as were low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentrations.
    PMID: 2194509 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=2194509&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

  • G

    11/28/2007 10:53:00 PM |

    JAMA. 1994 May 11;271(18):1421-8.
    Effects of varying carbohydrate content of diet in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
    Garg A, Bantle JP, Henry RR, Coulston AM, Griver KA, Raatz SK, Brinkley L, Chen YD, Grundy SM, Huet BA, et al.
    Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas 75235-9052.
    OBJECTIVE--To study effects of variation in carbohydrate content of diet on glycemia and plasma lipoproteins in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). DESIGN--A four-center randomized crossover trial. SETTING--Outpatient and inpatient evaluation in metabolic units. PATIENTS--Forty-two NIDDM patients receiving glipizide therapy. INTERVENTIONS--A high-carbohydrate diet containing 55% of the total energy as carbohydrates and 30% as fats was compared with a high-monounsaturated-fat diet containing 40% carbohydrates and 45% fats. The amounts of saturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, cholesterol, sucrose, and protein were similar. The study diets, prepared in metabolic kitchens, were provided as the sole nutrients to subjects for 6 weeks each. To assess longer-term effects, a subgroup of 21 patients continued the diet they received second for an additional 8 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Fasting plasma glucose, insulin, lipoproteins, and glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations. Twenty-four-hour profiles of glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels. RESULTS--The site of study as well as the diet order did not affect the results. Compared with the high-monounsaturated-fat diet, the high-carbohydrate diet increased fasting plasma triglyceride levels and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 24% (P < .0001) and 23% (P = .0001), respectively, and increased daylong plasma triglyceride, glucose, and insulin values by 10% (P = .03), 12% (P < .0001), and 9% (P = .02), respectively. Plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels remained unchanged. The effects of both diets on plasma glucose, insulin, and triglyceride levels persisted for 14 weeks. CONCLUSIONS--In NIDDM patients, high-carbohydrate diets compared with high-monounsaturated-fat diets caused persistent deterioration of glycemic control and accentuation of hyperinsulinemia, as well as increased plasma triglyceride and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, which may not be desirable.
    PMID: 7848401 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=7848401&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

  • G

    11/28/2007 10:55:00 PM |

    N Engl J Med. 1988 Sep 29;319(13):829-34.
    Comparison of a high-carbohydrate diet with a high-monounsaturated-fat diet in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
    Garg A, Bonanome A, Grundy SM, Zhang ZJ, Unger RH.
    Center for Human Nutrition, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9052.
    We compared a high-carbohydrate diet with a high-fat diet (specifically, a diet high in monounsaturated fatty acids) for effects on glycemic control and plasma lipoproteins in 10 patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) receiving insulin therapy. The patients were randomly assigned to receive first one diet and then the other, each for 28 days, in a metabolic ward. In the high-carbohydrate diet, 25 percent of the energy was in the form of fat and 60 percent in the form of carbohydrates (47 percent of the total energy was in the form of complex carbohydrates); the high-monounsaturated-fat diet was 50 percent fat (33 percent of the total energy in the form of monounsaturated fatty acids) and 35 percent carbohydrates. The two diets had the same amounts of simple carbohydrates and fiber. As compared with the high-carbohydrate diet, the high-monounsaturated-fat diet resulted in lower mean plasma glucose levels and reduced insulin requirements, lower levels of plasma triglycerides and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (lower by 25 and 35 percent, respectively; P less than 0.01), and higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (higher by 13 percent; P less than 0.005). Levels of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol did not differ significantly in patients on the two diets. These preliminary results suggest that partial replacement of complex carbohydrates with monounsaturated fatty acids in the diets of patients with NIDDM does not increase the level of LDL cholesterol and may improve glycemic control and the levels of plasma triglycerides and HDL cholesterol.
    PMID: 3045553 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=3045553&ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVAbstractPlusDrugs1

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 10:58:00 PM |

    Hi, G--

    Thanks for all the wonderful references.

    Interestingly, the "low carbohydrate" arm in all the studies were actually high-carbohydrate by some standards. I suspect that even more pronounced differences would have been seen with a stricter reduction of carbohydrates.

  • Dr. Davis

    11/28/2007 11:07:00 PM |

    Is it any wonder that we now have a nation full of obese pre-diabetics and diabetics? All with accelerated heart disease and cancer risk?

    Yet the offical organizations cling to the old notions.

  • BarbaraW

    11/29/2007 5:53:00 PM |

    Dr. Davis,
    This isn't related to this post, but I am wondering about fish oil supplementation for people on Warfarin.  There's an "ask your healthcare professional" notice on our bottle of fish oil.  What does this mean?

  • jpatti

    11/30/2007 4:53:00 AM |

    Dr. Davis, you said... "However, I have seen many people who exhibit entirely normal after-eating responses when diet has been modified and after weight loss. Of course, not everybody achieves this, but many do."

    This remains as long as they stick to the diet that achieved this for them; however, if they eat crap again, their postprandials rise to diabetic levels again which is *not* the case for nondiabetics.  Thus they are a very well-controlled diabetic, not a cured diabetic.

    I am diabetic, but my husband is not.  I have tested his postprandial bg after eating 1/8th of a double layer chocolate cake and it is in the 70s.  Not that chocolate cake is healthy for him either, but no matter how long I am well-controlled or how much weight I lose, I will never be able to eat that without my postprandial bg going to diabetic levels.

    Type 2 diabetes is primarily about insulin resistance (IR).  Diet, exercise and weight loss can greatly improve insulin sensitivity and thus improve the disease condition so that bg control is easier and postprandial excursions less extreme.  One can improve the disease to the degree that one can achieve nondiabetic numbers, and if IR improves, do so even while eating more carb than could be handled while gaining control.  Diabetes can *certainly* be improved; it does not *have* to be a progressive disease.

    But by the time one is diagnosed with T2, there have usually been very high serum insulin levels for years as well as pancreatic damage reducing if not entirely eliminating the phase 1 insulin response.  Being in good control does not heal the pancreas, reduce serum insulin to normal levels, nor remove IAPP plaques, etc. And it does not mean you can have nondiabetic postprandial response to eating crap.

    I completely agree with your post overall.  These types of results are great and good patients achieve them.  I only disagree in the same place Alan disagreed; the word "cure" implies something more than can currently be achieved.  Diabetics can have good control, even very good control and nondiabetic numbers, but we are not cured.  

    But you absolutely have the right approach as opposed to the ADA; to them I say, "let them eat cake."

  • Dr. Davis

    11/30/2007 12:33:00 PM |

    I see what your trying to say. Yes, I would agree that's true for the majority of former pre-diabetics and diabetics.

  • chickadeenorth

    12/1/2007 3:52:00 AM |

    I too am a type II who was "cured" by doing Atkins. I was on tons of insulin, metphormin, cozaar,lipitor and within 32 hr of starting Atkins had to quit insulin. I have low carbed for 4 yrs and fell off the wagon a yr ago.Back on now after a hard lesson learned.

    My A1C were 5.5 without insulin or meds and eating Atkins.I allowed my doc to persuade me I needed grains and fiber and I went on some and it completely threw me off and the cravings were like a drug addict wanting more drugs.

    I lost control of my appetite, my cravings and my blood glucose levels.

    I asked my doc why they pushed grains and was told the CDA is sponsored by the Cdn wheat board.
    Duh...it made me angry but it motivated me to go back on insulin to get bg down again and go low carb and within 2 weeks I no longer needed insulin once again.

    I was so good with bg control for several yrs I thought I was "cured", but would have some healthy grians like cooked oat bran with large old fashioned oatmeal flakes and whamoooooo
    and my bg would bounce right back up there.

    However, I am not on insulin anymore, I use some Glucophage(and only use brand name Glucophage as yes it does work better than metphormin for me and for almost all of Dr Bernstein's patients it works better as well....go figure...).
    All druggists and Dr told me its exactly the same but it is not and once you learn how the FDA allows for differences in brand and generic names it will blow your sox off.

    I am skeptical of all who tell me now I need wheat, starch and grains and can have some sugars....they don't live in my body, they don't know the demons of craving I suffer when I go off my low carb program and if I follow their advice I wont live to be an old lady.

    I will never be "cured", the beast will rear its ugly head and harm me every time I eat something with grains, wheat, starch or yes crap.....but even when I eat "good grains"...my body just cant do it anymore.

    I am 57 and had yrs of overloading, I am in better shape now than ever in my life and I wish I was "cured" but I am not.

    I am aiming for an A1C of a non diabetic of 4.2 to 4.5 and slowly will get there.

    But in doing so I butt heads with all of the medical community yet they see me and exclaim how wonderful I look, how much weight I have lost, thnx to people who think outside the box like Dr. Atkins,( he made some boos boos in his new stuff which I think was from peer pressure, he should never have encouraged grains, fruits back into the prgram as it made bg go up for diabetics,causing cravings and high bg, he changed his original program) Dr. Bernstien,( he is strciter than Atkins and says you are diabetic, your body no longer tolerates grains, starches, sugars so get over it, if you want to live long)Dr. Davis and Dr.Blancehtt( from what I read here)are now treating the other side of evil us diabetics live with....heart disease.

    Now I know there are some well educated medical people who are looking outside the box, listening to their patients stories and treating us like we have some gray matter between our ears and trying to find out how to diagnsoe and treat us, I finally feel some element of security and safety.

    My blood tests don't lie although I have been treated by many Dr as though I am lying when I say what my blood meter shows and then they see their own lab results and are wowed.

    One other aspect I ahve noticed here, if anyone writes a differeing of opinion than Dr D he doesnt shut us up and hears us and often comments that is somethign frutehr he will explore or look into.

    I appreciate that we have your intelligent brain, yrs of medical practices and ability to think without getting defensive,

    Dr like you should have a Nobel prize as in a few decades this will hopefully all be commonplace treatment for heart issues and diabetes.

  • Dr. Davis

    12/1/2007 1:44:00 PM |

    Thanks for sharing your insightful experience, Chickadee.

    I personally have a similar pattern to yours, but have managed to keep off all meds once I dropped all wheat, along with processed carbohydrates. While we have to be careful in too broadly generalizing our experiences, I would estimate that this pattern is shared by 70% of people to various degrees.

  • jpatti

    12/1/2007 3:18:00 PM |

    I just want to add I agree with Chickadee.  It's Dr. D's blog, he doesn't have post comments from those who disagree; but part of why I participate here is because I saw that he did that.  

    I also personally appreciate that he changes his mind (the info on this blog is different in some aspects than the info in the TYP book).  It's obvious he is still learning; too many people are dogmatic about their opinions.  

    Research progresses; so what we know changes.  I want my own choices to be based on the best current knowledge, not someone's near-religious beliefs.

  • chickadeenorth

    12/2/2007 10:49:00 PM |

    Yes patti, metoo!!!

  • g

    12/2/2007 10:50:00 PM |

    Chickadee (vlm and Praire Mary), Your experience is truly amazing.  You're preservering by faithfully following what you know to be true, in the face of the current medical establishment. You must be a beacon of motivation for a lot of  your friends and family (and you must appear hot and amazing as well!)...  I have to check out IAPP plaque -- luv learning stuff here!! I believe T2 parallels other chronic conditions like CAD -- if the destruction of cells is not irreparable (like CAD, if imminent myocardium death from obstruction and oxygen deprivation exists, then stents/bypasses are crucial and life-preserving), then a 'cure' is possible because our body has the capacity to repair and recover.  However as you discussed, if enough destruction of beta-islet pancreatic cells has already occurred, then recovery may not be possible to maintain normal 1 to 2h-pp glucose after a large glycemic load.  Unfortunately, 50% of islet cells are usually GONE at diagnosis for most T2DMs and progressively decline annually unless dramatic changes happen. Imperative changes like those encouraged and emphasized by the TYP plan. Even more important is to stop the destruction before we become older. I believe TYP should be taught to all children. as soon as possible.
    Pregnancy (progesterone-dominant) and certain drugs (prednisone) cause transient diabetes -- however when the triggers are gone (ie, give birth and resume exercise or stop the offending agent Prednisone) -- normal glycemic indices will often resume.
    My children only get 2 hrs of physical ed now per week in school, as a result (my understanding) of Bush's 'leave no child behind policy' which they claim is to bolster academics. Most unfortunate for the physical and endocrin/cardiovasc health of all Americans (hopefully Canadians are better off! well, you are... you don't have Bush... and soon neither will we). Remember, as kids we had ONE HOUR of PE e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y? Plus, playing outdoors until the sun went down!? Gone are those days esp in the decade of video games (and internet *sigh* -- look at me what a hypocrit)... surburban concrete and indoor malls...
    Most clinical studies are suspect because only the drug companies can afford them.  Big companies have lobbyists and choke-holds on all the major 'public health' sources (including ALL the major med schools and universities also... JAMA and most publications).
    Only vigilant far-reaching visionaries like Dr. D go far and beyond the call of duty to do the thankless job of educating and propagating  solutions for the #1 killer of women and men -- heart disease (AND #2 killer cancer arguably as well, and obesity and T2DM and most autoimmune disorders too).  THANK YOU DR. D!!!!
    Many of the strategies for CAD reversal are applicable to T2DM glycemic control optimization (I've personally lived it b4 I read the book/blog and see it in the diab patients that follow it). Getting enough vitamin D (esp you're Canadian and get absolutely no UVB above the 37th latitude) is key. In fact Vit D is more effective at insulin sensitization than metformin and other drugs (again, if there are enough remaining beta islet cells to sensitize).
    Exercising and therefore consuming minimum 350 calories daily (or 5,000 to 10,000 steps) via a pedometer as Dr. D prescribes in the TYP plan is imperative for insulin sensitization. Use it or lose it.
    'Bad' carb elimination, good carb restriction. Sufficient protein and good oils.
    Keeping your estrogen levels 'normal' arguable > 50 for most women (pre- or post menopausal -- if you have no breast CA in your family history)... Testosterone, in men, the corollary (and women too).
    Strength training -- lifting 3 x week all the major muscle groups -- 3 sets of 10 reps -- will achieve significantly improved IR as well (and a higher sense of mood and prevent spinal osteoporosis). Lean body mass, or MUSCLE, effectively metabolizes even at rest (for example, when our b**tts are atrophying in front of the computer). The more muscle, the more metabolism!
    Stress reduction, lowering cortisol through yoga/tai chi, being 'happy', optimizing your vitamin 'O' (the intangible optimism -- as Dr. D  puts it!!)...  the more love we give, the more we get! Lovingkindness -- it all works! The added benefit with less cortisol is less visceral fat deposition on the belly... as well as the liver, heart, coronary vasculature -- don't need those love-handles to LOVE!

    You're awesome -- keep it up!

  • g

    12/2/2007 11:02:00 PM |

    btw, make sure the TSH is 0.2 to 3.0! adequate thyroid function affects IR, lipoprotein patterns, heart hypertrophic changes, etc. guess what yoga poses do? cobra-pose for instance helps 'massage' the thyroid and parathyroid glands to remove toxins and allow an influx of fresh oxygenated blood! the deep nasal breathing allows the adrenal nervous system to shut off (which shunts blood from vital organs like the liver/kidney in order to oxygenate the muscles for 'fight-flight'), yoga turns on the cholinergic NS to promote rejuvenation and restoration including improved blood flow to the heart, kidneys/adrenals, and liver, etc.

  • Dr. Davis

    12/3/2007 12:44:00 AM |

    Thanks, as always, G, for your delightful commentary.

    I love your "vitamin O" idea!

  • chickadeenorth

    12/3/2007 6:22:00 AM |

    Thnx for encouragement g as sometimes it feels like I do my health program in isolation if I didn’t have access to these forums etc.

    When I ask for tests I am often treated like I am “neurotic” for one Dr told me I am a double double Type A for being so careful with my diabetes as only 50% of diabetics can achieve an A1C of under 8.

    I thought oh great, glad I am or I would still be 80 pounds overweight if I kept eating the Cdn Diabetic program and still  injecting about 150 units of insulin a day!!!
    Bring on the Type A,,,, is that kind of like the Vitamin O…lol.

    I told him I believed diabetics couldn’t achieve under an 8 for A1c was due in part that they were told to eat low fat, high carbs. Diabetics feel great shame in following a program yet gaining weight and still having a high A1C. This shame is left in a shroud and never dealt with.

    I wish I had this info a few decades ago when I used to have GP’s refer me their diabetic patients to learn coping strategies and we taught relaxation techniques etc and behavior mod, if only I understood how hungry a diabetic is with BG dropping and rising. My hunger has not been an issue since I started low carb, it did when I fell off the wagon. I now use duct tape and stay securely in!!!

    I believe I still have some beta cells as there are days I can go without using glucophage at all, particularly on a very physically active day. …or if I am at a wedding or a dance and I have a few glasses of wine, my BG drops a lot and I don’t use meds. I only drink a few times a year though and have tried to learn to drink red wine nightly but don’t enjoy it and would end up with another bad habit I am sure.

    In winter when I am more sedentary I can see right away I need to use 500mg of Gluco TID.Man I will be happy if high doses of Vit D 3 help me with my A1C’s!!!!



    See Dr Bernstein and Atkins both said as soon as a type II is diagnosed they should go on small amts of fast acting insulin and preserve what beta cells they have left. Yet it is used as a last resort.

    I wish more Dr would read Dr Bernstein and Davis. Bernstein is offering a cruise for Dr to go on and get educational hours and he will train them his technique, its all a business write off but last I heard he had trouble filling the 100 needed for the cruise.
    Info is at www.diabetesincontrol.com

    In my mind I believe for me that eating low carb meant I only ate nutrient dense foods thus my body healed itself and began to slowly allow the beta cells to resurface and do their work. Grains are not nutrient dense for me.

    Low carbing offered me this:
    -I got off $1000 a yr of Imitrax as my migraines stopped.
    -My hot flushes stopped.
    - I had severe arthritis and used a ton of vioxx, my arthritis went away a few weeks after low carbing and I have not had treatment for it since 03. I have no pain at all.
    -My blood pressure dropped but I take cozzaar still as want an Ace inhibitor to protect my kidneys as well but BP is normally about 111/62, I am 57 and am still overweight about 20 pounds but have lost 80 pounds.

    So see I did this basically all against medical advice but once my long term GP( she moved after 21 yrs) saw the blood work she began to soften in her approach and support me and did allot of blood work as I was scared starting to eat more protein and using some fats.
    I had been so brain washed.
    Its hard to eat much protein after decades of eating protein to the size of a deck of cards and using heart smart margarines instead of butter but I watched my blood work carefully and all my lipids came way down, especially my trig. Broccolli is even better with a tad of butter. A cup of coffee with a bit of cream doesn’t make my BG go up, but using the skim milk in coffee made my BG rise.

    I didn’t know about the Vit D until TYP blog and forum and am gonna flood this new young doc I have with all this info but have only seen her once and don’t want to turn her off. So will slowly plod along.

    She is a real smart wise young woman, I can tell, and she is very open minded. She has already read Bernstein’s book and I am going to buy her TYP as a gift. She kind of wondered about me going for another calcium score and didn’t know anything about the advanced lipid profiling but she ordered it anyhow.

    I know doc have allot of reading and work to do and its impossible to be the expert on everything but I see she is wise and confident enough to have an open mind.

    One more tidbit you doc's here may be interested in knowing about.

    Dr Westman from the Duke did a project up in a Native reservation in northern Canada called Alert Bay. It was rampant with diabetics. He trained a Dr from Edtmn and his wife who was a nurse pract and Health Canada sponsored them. The whole village was taught to go back to their way of living from before they were influenced by white man and to eat more fish, meat, seeds, berries, basically almost an Atkins type program and it was a huge success.


    Dr Westman is very approachable and if you wanted I would ask him if I could give you his email in a private email as he has a head full of great ideas too about treating type II diabetes.

    In some ways to me it seems like all you wise docs are working in isolation around the world and you need a forum or a gathering place to host all these wonderful ideas so you can educate your colleagues

    How could we make this happen.???

    A conference in the Canadian Rockies!!!.

    I'll help organize it, not in winter though as the suns rays are so low and it is minus 29 degrees as I sit and type, but oh so pretty with all the snow covered mtns.

    This blog is more informative to me than anything I have had access to on the net and I have read and researched for ys to help my health improve.

    I feel so privileged to have found you folks and have learned so much in the past few weeks.

    I only wish the muscles I have built in my fingers typing could be transplanted into the lazy parts of my body.

  • Dr. Davis

    12/3/2007 1:34:00 PM |

    Hi, Chickadee--

    Thanks always for telling us your fascinating story. It's wonderful to know that we are having such an impact on lives, even in the "wilderness."

    We can always be reached through the contact@trackyourplaque.com e-mail, of course, or through our Forum (when repaired--I believe it's almost there). I'd love to start a conversation with Dr. Westman. I didn't know that such a real-world "experiment" had been conducted. It would provide priceless information.

    We have some ideas in the works for better delivery of this message to the broader public, but it all takes time. But it will be fun and yield some interesting opportunities!

  • Anonymous

    12/4/2007 7:37:00 PM |

    This just came through one of my shared links sites: How low-carb diets help metabolize fats better: http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/c/17/17226/eat-fat-grow-thin/pf/

    "The beta oxidation (or “burning”) of fat by the body requires the action of an enzyme called insulin-sensitive lipase. This enzyme is turned off by insulin. Eating carbohydrate obliges the body of a nondiabetic to make insulin in proportion to the amount consumed and obliges many diabetics to inject insulin to prevent blood sugar elevation. When insulin levels go up, fat oxidation therefore goes down, and since insulin is also the fat-storage hormone, dietary fat is stored. Furthermore, insulin signals the liver to convert the carbon backbone of carbohydrates (glucose) to saturated fat, which then appears in the blood as triglycerides, which are subsequently stored. So calories of fat are handled much differently on a low-carbohydrate diet than on a high-carbohydrate diet. Recent studies on humans eating equivalent amounts of fat show that those eating more carbs store more fat."
    - Dr. Bernstein

    S

  • g

    12/4/2007 8:17:00 PM |

    I'm not sure if I could survive the Rockies... but that cruise sure sounds enticing!!  thanks for all your info Chickadee -- I'm so grateful for forums like this!  You are doing a stupendous job on your body! Man, a1c < 5%!  So you teach mind body philosophies, eh?  Your MH is definitely strong. I consult on migraines and T2DM issues. It's funny how all these conditions are linked... along with IBS, Alzheim, UC, Crohn's, and other inflammatory conditions (even colon CA)...
    I do really believe that our bodies have the capacity to heal and be whole (mentally and physically) but we really need to be educated...  and have the proper tools at our disposal... that's so hard! you're totally right!  And now people no longer need to experiment and fool around.. the solutions already EXIST!!!

    I'd echo your same concerns -- after Dr. D receives a Nobel prize (which is just a matter of time) -- will he lack the time for the plebs and peons on the blog?  *chuckle* maybe he'll have trained enough protege's like yourself to outsource... *ha haaa haa*

    Perhaps Dr. Barry Marshall (who discovered HP as causing ulcers and gastric cancer) would've received a Nobel 10-20 yrs sooner if he had a blog and layman-oriented publications!  ;)

  • chickadeenorth

    12/5/2007 3:29:00 AM |

    Yes the net certainly makes us all closer and wiser and ideas catch on quicker, it is actually amazing. Bill Gates didn't know what he did for health when he developed some of his software ey.

    I never knew back when I was in the field about diabetes, OCPD, migraines, belly fat,hunger, all those dynamics that now make me get red flags.I had them all, many of us did,thought it was from the work we did not the starch and sugar we ate really as we were all low low fat eating people.

    Man I can walk thru Wal Mart and tell who is diabetic or pre diabetic if there is such thing...you know like being pre pregnant...LOL


    You could survive the Rockies, our winters can be harsh, cold and beautiful( I went north two weeks ago to see the polar bears in Churchill....amazing) but our summers are awesome. I live right by Jasper national park and it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

    You know.... about Dr Eric Westman, he has done low carb Atkins like program for diabetes since about 2002 or so. He sent me tons of scientific research about chol studies and ldl numbers not being all what they are cracked up to be and to watch for lipo (a) etc way back ys ago.Thats why I had mine tested and it always came back low under the range but I didn't know much else about it until I read TYP.



    Anyhow Westman has been onto low carb and diabetes and obesity and the Duke is known all over as being experts in field of obesity and diabetes.


    I think cause the media slammed Atkins so bad and there were allot of mytths surrounding him some of these doc's hung low.

    Recall the history of Freud, when he first heard about incest he got boo'd as he was going to present it at an international conference and his peers jeered him so he changed it all and we ended up with these anal and odephial(sp) complexes and it took a hundred plus ys to remove those myths.

    Well I think it is the same with low carb, even sat fats not being the devil. In 1oo yr it will be the norm, like in Taubes research he demonstrates that in 1862 Dr were telling diabetics and obese people to eat meat, dairy and a bit of fruit and veg and it worked.No starch, no sugars.

    Oh well, someday, this will be common place, we will get a heart scan like we line up for the flu shot and we'll all know our numbers and talk about it as we play bridge.Smile

    It will beocme a household word, in the mean time I am trying to learn so much lately my mind and body feels overwhwlmd but I feel joyous at knowing I can do something about my plague.I only wish I knew about Vit d and fish oil sooner.

    We are all so fortunate we can read and share and ask questions here and it is not open for just medical doctors as I think we can all learn from each other.

  • buy jeans

    11/2/2010 9:26:48 PM |

    Why isn't this common practice? If pre-diabetes and diabetes can be cured by such a simple approach, why isn't it more widely embraced? After all, what other devastating diseases can claim to have such a simple, straightforward way to achieve cure?

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How will you know your score dropped?

How will you know your score dropped?

This issue came up twice this week.

Bill is a busy accountant. Two years ago, just after the tumult of the 2005 tax season was over, he got a CT heart scan. His score: 398. At age 53, this was a significant score. His internist did the usual: prescribed a statin (Zocor), told him to cut the fat in his diet, and be sure to exercise. (Yawn.)

Since then, Bill quit preparing tax returns and migrated to a less harried job in corporate accounting. It took two years since his heart scan for Bill to start thinking that perhaps his doctor's advice wasn't enough. If it was, he realized, everyone on a statin drug who made these minimal lifestyle changes would be cured of heart attack risk. Clearly not the case.

So Bill enrolled in the Track Your Plaque program. Our first step: Get another heart scan.

Bill was surprised. "Why another scan? I already had one!"

I explained to Bill that atherosclerotic plaque is like money: it grows in percentages, just like money in a bank account or in a mutual fund. If, for instance, you deposit $500 in a mutual fund and it yields 5% return, then after one year you will have $550. One year later, you will have 5% x $550, or $605. Another year: $665. In other words, growth is not 10% of the original amount you deposited. Growth is compounded, year over year. That's why money, when compounded, can grow so quickly.

Atherosclerotic plaque and your CT heart scan score do the same thing: they grow by a percentage of the current plaque quantity. In fact, we use the compound interest equation to calculate the annualized rate of plaque growth. But plaque grows at the extraordinary rate of 30% per year, on average. Imagine that was the rate of return on your money. You'd be the richest man or woman on earth.

Back to Bill. Now Bill, in his defense, was on a statin drug and did make modest efforts towards a (mis-guided) low-fat diet and walking four days per week. If, on a second CT heart scan, his score was:

398--No change. That's a success, since the expected rate of increase of 30% has been stopped. However, on his current program, this is highly unlikely. (I've seen it happen just once ever out of about 2000 people.)

250--Pop the cork on your champagne, because Bill needs to celebrate. He has substantially reversed his plaque. Highly unlikely on the current effort.

525 --The score is higher by 30%, so it has slowed, but it surely hasn't stopped. This is the most typical result on the sort of program Bill is following.

The message: Don't delay after your first heart scan score. It plaque grows like money with a huge return, there's no time like the present to take the steps to regain control.
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