People Are Talking...

It's often amusing to trackback links generating traffic to my blog; sometimes it's even an eye-opening experience, where I can read how others interpret what I write from a brutally honest point-of-view - they're simply not worried I'll read their thoughts so they opine freely whether they agree or disagree with me.

Recently, Should we Debate Diet for Diabetes?, caught the attention of the members of a Google Group.

Interestingly, my position that the ADA should, even if cautiously, include the option of a carbohydrate restricted diet for those diagnosed with type II diabetes because it is supported in the scientific literature and hard data, led some to consider me a "fanatic" with "a chip on her shoulder the size of a loaf of bread and drew the same convoluted and biased conclusions," and even "a woman who obviously has an agenda."

Your happy fanatic here is most definitely glad to see, whether you agree with me or not, that out there, in the never-never-land of the internet, people are talking and discussing the situation! Let's not forget we are in the middle of what promises to be a national crisis if we do not find a solution to the alarming and continued increase in the incidence of type II diabetes.

While some see my perspective that those diagnosed with type II diabetes absolutely deserve to know they have dietary options - a number of various approachs to carbohydrate restriction - that have been shown to benefit those with type II diabetes with statistically significant improvements as fanatical; others see it for what it is - a position that is based on an honest review of the data published.

My agenda is simply this - exposing the fact that the ADA is failing those at risk for or diagnosed with diabetes because they have abandon their mission.

The ADA ignoring the weight of the evidence to maintain the status quo; while openly admiting their dietary recommendations are failing to reduce the incidence of diabetes or reverse the alarming trend in the United States. Their solution is to medicate the problem away with the recommendation to begin a pharmacuetical intervention upon diagnosis since the recommended lifestyle intervention is not enough.

The literature highlights there is another option - a carbohydrate restricted diet - and those at risk for or already diagnosed deserve to know this; doctors deserve to know how to monitor progress and make medication adjustments of patients who CHOOSE this option; and dietitians deserve to know how to individualize such a diet based on individual preferences and individual health risk measures.

The ADA position that no one wants to follow a low-carb diet is a patronizing attitude toward patients - a belief that people won't make changes even when presented with hard data and given their options.

I know for a fact there are thousands of renegade, disobedient diabetics out there, controlling their diabetes with a carbohydrate restricted diet.

It is my hope they will start to speak out, loudly, with their numbers and their experiences so those who doubt such an approach works can hear from real, live people that it does; and that when the proof is in the meter, you stick with it.

Here's to continuing the dialogue to bring the science to the public, to those at risk for or diagnosed with type II diabtes - keep the conversation going, it's good to talk about this...maybe, just maybe, we'll make a difference and find a solution together, even with our differences of opinion!