Sorry if it's already ben asked, couldn't find it. I'm thinking about it. Guidelines seems inconclusive, so I'm going to talk to my certified diabetes educater 1st. Thing the is I've also been diagnosed with epilepsy to and read that the keto diet can help that too. I've been on restrictive diets before (eg vegan for seven years awhile back), so that's not an issue. Thanks in advance, michelle.
Yes the epilepsy diet has been around for many years. It helps most epileptics @A DiabetesTeam Member.
I first read about it in 1963.
The data shows that, if and only if strict adherence to it is continuous, then the benefits are realized. So it is not a diet as we know the term today, but is a right eating lifestyle.
It is what keto diets are based on, with tweaks.
Half of the diagnosed epileptics show complete remission and zero seizures.
Of the other half, only 10% show no benefit. The rest show reduced seizures.
You wonder why, it is not recommended more often. Most people do not comply 100%, so doctors think medications is a better option.
I was diagnosed with diabetes in February 2021, my A1C was 13.5 and peripheral neuropathy was so bad that only with determined willpower and extremely high pain tolerance could I walk.
My doctor went down her cheatsheet and told me metformin, long acting insulin, and quick acting insulin as a start.
I changed my eating to what I call a ultralow net carb right eating lifestyle. I have complied for 2.5 years.
At 3.5 months my A1C was 4.9 with no medications. I had to negotiate with my doctor for 3 months with no diabetes medications. I was eating 8 or less carbs a day for those 3.5 months and was eating to live, not living to eat.
By 5 months I could walk without pain. I had dropped almost 60 pounds by then. My peripheral neuropathy reversed a bit.
The damage to my kidney function and damage to my liver function from the 9 weeks of intense radiation treatments every day was corrected by the 1 year point.
At 3.5 months I then maximized my carbs, while eating to my blood glucose meter, my blood glucose numbers spreadsheet, and my food journal.
My A1C went to 5.3,
My most recent A1C is 5.1.
After 2.5 years I am doing well with my ultralow carb right eating lifestyle.
You can read that - keto eating.
It is possible.
I believe that maximizing my carbs while eating to my meter, keeps me out of that dangerous ketosis syndrome. My numbers generally run from 5.7(103) to 7.5(135).
I don't get those below 5.5(99) morning fasting blood glucose numbers. I also don't get those above 7.8(140) numbers that add to the additional cumulative vascular damage and diabetic complications and comorbidities.
And never give up, never surrender, never ever.
You got this.
Have a wonderful day.
Good for you @A DiabetesTeam Member.
We are cheering for you.
Thank you both so much. I love your informed answers and direction and encouragement. I should call my diabetes nutritionist tomorrow. Thank you both again!
Btw, getting your A1c down to 5.1... wow! applause!
Ps: if/when i get into keto I plan on using keto strips. I almost died of a DKA last year (that's a hard way to find out you have diabetes). You can ask your pharmacist for them.