Health Notes, November 9th 2008, by Sarah Stacey

A diet for diabetics
The number of people suffering from diabetes in the UK has now reached 2.5 million.  But some doctors (and their patients) question whether the standard low sugar high starch diet is the most helpful.  Professor Charles Clark, author of The Diabetes Revolution (find it on www.amazon.co.uk for £7.09 if you click here), who has specialised in diabetes for 30 years, advocates a low glycaemic index (GI) diet, which in his experience benefits both Type 2 diabetes, which affects 90 per cent of patients, and also the more serious Type 1. 

Diabetes is characterised by high levels of blood sugar, which potentially lead to kidney and other organ failure. The problems come because diabetics don’t have enough usable insulin, a hormone, to clear the sugar (as glucose) from the bloodstream.  (Type 1 makes little or no insulin, Type 2 makes plenty but can’t utilise it.)  However, giving the body more insulin creates problems of its own as the patient’s story below illustrates.  The low GI diet is low in sugar so prevents blood sugar levels building up and thus reduces the need for supplementary insulin.

Handbag designer Alexia Durtnell, 31, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged ten.  She injected insulin twice daily and followed a diet that centred on cutting out sugary sweet foods, but eating lots of starchy (relatively high GI) carbohydrates – rice, bread, potatoes and pasta - at every meal. Initially well-controlled, her blood sugar levels went ‘haywire’ in her late teens.  ‘I was told that if I had a big meal with lots of starchy carbs, I should just give myself more insulin – I was injecting four times daily.  It was the worst thing I could have done.’  Despite eating little and exercising rigorously, Alexia’s weight increased and her blood sugar kept going up.  ‘Every time I saw the consultant I cried.  He said I was obese and didn’t believe I was sticking to the diet. I woke up so tired I could hardly get out of bed. I was a mess physically and psychologically.’

In February this year, Alexia consulted Professor Clark.  ‘He explained that pasta, potatoes, rice and bread are all converted to sugar – 100gms of pasta or rice gives you the equivalent of 15 teaspoons of sugar.  That’s why I needed more insulin, which has caused most of my problems.’   As well as storing extra glucose as fat, insulin stimulates appetite, accounting for Alexia’s weight gain. Also, explains Prof Clarke ‘when diabetics get a big hit of insulin, their blood sugar drops – as intended - but it goes down so dramatically, it causes fatigue.’ Additionally, the higher their blood sugar, the more insulin-resistant patients become, and the more insulin they need, in a vicious cycle.

Under Prof Clark’s guidance, Alexia gradually reduced her intake of starchy carbs and sugary foods including fruit, and based her diet on protein, ‘good’ fats, including olive oil, avocadoes and oily fish, plus unlimited vegetables (except for high GI potatoes and parsnips), which provide fibre-rich unrefined carbohydrates. Nowadays she springs out of bed with a clear head and bags of energy.  She has lost weight and reduced her insulin injections by over one third.  But will she feel deprived of traditional Christmas fare?  ‘I used to crave sweet things, but now I don’t even think about them. I might treat myself to a roast potato on Christmas day but I know carbs make me unwell.  Recently, I went out for a late-night pizza, and woke up at 5 a.m. sweating and with the shakes – I felt dreadful.  So, no, I won’t miss a slice of Christmas cake.’  She urges other diabetics to explore this low GI diet.  ‘I felt dreadful for 20 years; it was the norm. Now I’ve never felt better.’

NB Type 1 diabetics should always consult their doctors and change their diet gradually.

To order The Diabetes Revolution from Amazon, for £7.09, just click here. 

Gorgeous presents!
If you’re looking for fabulous, great value, feel-good presents, here are my suggestions, all available through Victoria Health.  And remember you get 5% discount on all your orders!
 
•  Magnetic therapy bracelet.  I’m wedded to my gorgeous Blue Vision bracelet by Magnetic Therapy Ltd, with translucent blue lozenges interspersed with haematite beads, which keeps my repetitive strain injury in check and is also said to help general wellbeing, £16.95. There’s a copper version for chaps too, £14.95. Just click here .

•  Rose & Co Rose Petal Salt Bath.  These fragrant, skin-softening bath salts in retro packaging are perfect for girlies of all ages to relax in,  £7.83. Just click here.

•  Simply Warm All-Over Body Pillow.  Warm this squidgy, sausage-shaped pillow stuffed with wheat and lavender in a microwave and soothe aching neck or other muscles – rave reviews from all testers including men.  £9.79. Just click here.

•  FLATOUT Bear.  Children adore these (unstuffed) Australian sheepskin cuddly in a range of bear browns, greys and honeys – as does everyone from two to 82.  FLATOUT bear baby, £24.47;  FLATOUT bear, £35.23. Just click here.

BOOK OF THE WEEK:  Yoga to the Rescue, by Amy Luwis
 I love this charming, funny little book of ‘remedies for real girls’ problems’, like insomnia, hangover, jiggly belly etc.  Yoga teacher Hannah Lovegrove says the instructions are absolutely reliable.  To order from Amazon for just £8.99, click here.