Hi All,

I know that this "hot topic" has been exhausted on this site, but I had to tell you all about a new book written by a RD, CDE that I learned about via an email from diabetescare.net today.

I am not promoting the book.......just found her 3 step program for controlling BS very fascinating!

http://www.diabetescare.net/content_upclose_detail.asp?id=446081&utm_source=DC.net+-+Providers+Newsletter&utm_campaign=454b28a3a9-DC_net_Provider_Newsletter_February_6_2012&utm_medium=email

Diane Kress, RD CDE has released new book The Diabetes Miracle. 

It discounts the national standard for daily carbohydrates from the ADbA  and discusses how regulating carbs in terms of quantity, quality, and timing may be the answer to preventing and controlling diabetes as well as aiding in permanent weight control.

Kress was diagnosed at 38 years old with T2 DM. Before her dx, her meal plan consisted of ADbA diabetes diet recommendations: 50-55% carbs, 20% proteins, and 30% fats.  But she had not lost appreciable weight or reduced her cholesterol, or blood pressure, even with regular exercise, and following a 1200 calorie diet. She felt that the ADA recommendations didn't protect her from T2 diabetes.

She questioned and researched the USDA’s food pyramid as well as the ADbA’s carb recommendation and concluded it "let people down the road to a diagnosis of T2 diabetes".

Important to note that in a larger context, both the medical community and people with diabetes have been engaged in an ongoing, lively debate for years about the daily total allowance for carbs. There are those who still practice the ADbA’s recommendations, and there are others who advocate for lower percentages of carbs in varying amounts.

Kress developed several new theories based on her research and as such she claims that:

>ADA’s daily carb recommendation is too high. Adding large amounts of carbs to body with escalating hormonal imbalance is akin to putting kindling on a fire.

> Her program promotes low/medium glycemic choices that allow for gradual rise in BS.

> Timing of carb ingestion is of paramount concern for those with insulin issues. There must be period of rest and rehabilitation for overtaxed pancreas and liver before body can reasonably handle carbs again.

> She reworked diet protocol and developed her own program to rest, reprogram, and rejuvenate metabolism of those with insulin imbalance.

> She wrote her first book, The Metabolism Miracle, and then The Diabetes Miracle after teaching and tracking over 3000 patients

> Her plan is 3 step nutrition program that will control BS: 

  Step 1: Follow low carb program for 8 wks to rest overworked pancreas

  and liver.

  Step 2: Reintroduced carbs based on glycemic index and glycemic

  load. After desired weight goal reached, BS is in healthy range with

  little to no medication

   Step 3:  Determine daily carb allotment based on pt’s age, height, and

   desired weight. This last step promotes a truly “balanced” intake of

   about 30-35% of carbs, lean protein, heart healthy fats, and liberal

   servings of neutral vegetables. Instead of counting calories or every

   gram of carbohydrates, pt learns carb servings recommended per day

   as well as options to space them out to maintain BS and insulin

   equilibrium.

   Your thoughts?

Mary Ann Hodorowicz, RD, CDE, MBA, Certified Endocrinology Coder
PresentDiabetes Author of MNT and DSMT Reimbursement Audio Lectures

Eat Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

My main problem with this is the title of the book.   Good glucose control isn't a miracle.  It is a job well done.

My general impression of this book is quite favorable.  This is a follow on to her book Metaboblism Miracle.  While this is certainly a perspective on carbs that conflicts with mainstream advice from educators, I don't really see it as that different than what many others have suggested (namely carb restriction).  She has a number of things which I don't necessarily agree with, but those are perhaps quibbles.  I think what will  give her credibility to many diabetics is that she herself is diabetic.

I have not read this book but have been on the website and have personal experience that would substantiate her claims. As a person w/ T2 diabetes, weight loss has been difficult at best. I actually went to a place called Metabolic Research Center which provided me a diet that is very similar to what Ms. Kress promotes. I lost weight in a timely manner, went off diabetes and chol. meds and feel better than I have in a long time. I also added exercise to my daily routine (30 min. strength, cardio, abs video) 5 days a week as well as biking on weekends. I did my first 155 mile bikeride last fall.

But I noticed a difference in my energy level just by cutting out some of those fatigue-producing carbohydrates. I do agree that a lower-carbohydrate diet is better for PWD. I guess that is why we call it "practicing" medicine. What we "know" today may not be true tomorrow. I just hope I can keep an open mind to follow EBP.

Any others have experience similar to mine or Ms. Kress?

Roxy

Thanks for introducing this topic.

Speaking as an RN, CDE I as well as many of my RN,CDE colleagues have never encouraged the high carbohydrate percentage recommended by the American Dietetic Assn. It clearly causes the need for higher doses of diabetes medication, and doesnot give the sense of well being that lower doses of carbohydrate effect.

The American Diabetes Association stresses the importance of individualizing dietary advice for people with diabetes.

I didn't read the book.

  "Balanced” intake of  about 30-35% of carbs, lean protein, heart healthy fats, and liberal servings of neutral vegetables. Instead of counting calories or every gram of carbohydrates, pt learns carb servings recommended per day as well as options to space them out to maintain BS and insulin equilibrium" is telling, however, since this quote describes the basics of the good old mediterranean diet. 

Hey, Isabella, you are SO incredibly astute to notice that her "new" diabetes meal plan really IS the Mediterrainean diet!

This is a form of marketing known as "re-packaging"......a "new" product or service is introduced that really is just a re-packaged version of the original with a slightly different twist.  

The "slightly different" can be a name change, shape or size change, actual package change....you name it....anything to make it look fresh and new so customers will want it and buy it.

OK, just for fun, think of all the stuff in the marketplace where we've seen this occur.  

I'll start:  Reece's peanutbutter cups now are re-packaged as "mini's"...yes, I bought them, even though I had never bought the original pig ones.  

Psychologically and nutritionally, I'm saving calories, right??  That's IF I can only eat 1 or 2!  Is that possible for most of us when we see how tiny they are?

Mary Ann Hodorowicz, RD, CDE, MBA, Certified Endocrinology Coder
PresentDiabetes Author of MNT and DSMT Reimbursement Audio Lectures

Eat Well, Laugh Often, Love Much