Before
& After:
14 Patients Share Their Experiences /
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A.D. is a fifty-five-year-old
former typesetter whose diabetes was diagnosed fourteen
years ago. As with many other people who use our regimen,
his test of average blood sugar (hemoglobin A1C) and
his tests for cardiac disease risk (cholesterol/HDL
ratio) simultaneously dropped from high levels to
essentially normal values.
"I watched my mother
deteriorate in front of me from the complications
of diabetes, finally resulting in an amputation of
the leg above the knee, and a sorrowful existence
until death claimed her. My oldest brother, who was
also diabetic, was plagued with circulatory complications
that resulted in the amputation of both feet, with
unsightly stumps. Diabetes robbed him of a normal
existence.
"When
I began to experience the all-too-familiar diabetes
symptoms, my future looked bleak and I feared the
same fate. I immediately searched for help, but for
two years floundered around getting much medical advice
but not improving. In fact, I was getting sicker.
My doctor had said, 'Watch your weight,' and prescribed
a single daily oral hypoglycemic pill for my Type
II diabetes. It sounded easy, but it wasn't working.
My glucose levels were in the 200 range all too often,
and occasionally reached 400. I was constantly exhausted.
"I started Dr. Bernstein's
program in 1985. Since then I have recovered my former
vitality and zest for life. At my first visit, he
switched me to another approach— a fast-acting blood
sugar–lowering pill 3 times a day, before meals, along
with a slower-acting pill in the morning and at bedtime.
My regimen was totally overhauled to eliminate foods
that raised blood sugar, and to reduce greatly my
consumption of carbohydrates in general. Macaroni
and ravioli had been important parts of my diet since
birth. I had to give these up. I didn't mind a greater
emphasis on protein. I even began to include fresh
fish in my diet.
"My initial reaction
was that these restrictions were too high a price
to pay, and that I would be unable to continue them
for long. Also, I was asked to check my blood with
a blood sugar meter for a week prior to every visit
to Dr. Bernstein. That meant sticking my finger several
times a day. I was willing to discipline myself for
a short period in order to be able to return to a
more active, vigorous life and to put my malaise to
rest. At the beach, I was sorely tempted to give up
the diet, while watching family and friends eat without
restrictions. But since my body was feeling healthier,
I continued with the program. After about two months,
with many dietary slips on my part, I managed to better
discipline myself because I sensed it made me feel
better. My glucose level started to descend to 140,
130, and finally to 100 or less on a consistent basis.
"Dr. Bernstein also
encouraged me to purchase a pedometer, a device that
clipped to my belt and measured the distance that
I walked each day. I began to walk daily, holding
3-pound weights and swinging my arms. This was yet
another thing to bother with, and I felt it would
cut into my free time. But the result was an invigorating
high. By this time, I didn't mind pricking my fingers
several times each day, as it showed me the way to
better blood sugars. Fortunately for me, New Rochelle
has many beautiful parks. I chose Glen Island Park
because it is near Long Island Sound and nicely kept.
This meant getting up earlier in the morning to walk
during the week, but that was no problem since I am
an early riser. I bought some cast-iron dumbbells
for additional exercise. I learned about arm curls,
overhead raises, arm circles, and chest pulls. I didn't
realize that there were so many different exercises
that you could do at home to benefit your health.
"My glucose levels
are now consistently within or near the normal range,
not at the sorry levels which nearly put me in the
hospital. That all-consuming fatigue is gone, and
I feel that now I'm in control of my diabetes instead
of the reverse. With adherence to the program, I know
that I don't have to suffer the same debilitating
effects that afflict so many other diabetics."
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