"L. Conrad" > wrote in message
...
> I'm asking this because I have several friends and a brother in law with
> diabetes. My BIL doesn't need insulin as he controls his diabetes with
> diet alone. He's on a really low carb diet and is doing great. He also
> lost his excess weight. No, his cholesterol levels are not out of sight,
> staying under 200. He is in his mid 70s now. But my friends, ages from
> 50 to 75 will not eat a low carb diet, one doesn't even seem to realize
> what foods are high in carbs or sugars. One says carbs are necessary for
> health. The research I've done so far says that is not true since humans
> can make their own carbs from protein by splitting off one atom or some
> such (think Eskimos and far north peoples). I learned no one ever
> suffered a carb deficiency. They are unwilling to give up the foods they
> love such as potatoes, peas, bagels, cereals, corn etc.
>
> The questions a
>
> Can a diabetic, already on insulin control their blood-sugar better by
> adopting a very low carb, or near no carb diet?
> Can a diabetic who adopts a low carb diet improve their blood values and
> need LESS insulin?
> Would the need for less insulin be better for their general health?
> Can a diabetic slowly lower their carb levels to see if less insulin is
> needed?
>
> Your replies will be printed and given to them this coming weekend.
>
> Thank you for your time.......

the most important thing for a diabetic to do is find a life style that will
work best for that individual. it is one of the reasons i dont believe in
those 1 size fits all books that say dont eat over a certain amount of
carbs, protien or fat.
it is why working with a dietitian is the best way to start.
if you find the diet that is first given to you does not work, it might be
because they are not active enough, not timing the carbs right, and many
other things can effect blood sugar levels.
Any diet that you will find more than a few doctors agree with that includes
exercise will be much better than any diet that does not include exercise.
Your friends need to work with doctors more than anything else.

Tom