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  #1   ^
Old Tue, Oct-25-16, 14:23
sks23cu sks23cu is offline
New Member
Posts: 15
 
Plan: zero-carb ketogenic
Stats: 205/168/160 Male 66.5 inches
BF:
Progress: 82%
Location: Westford, MA
Default My story ...

In Spring 2014, after meeting with a diabetes dietician, I decided to drastically reduce eating carbohydrates. My doctor was worried about my A1C having risen to 6.9. He said before he put me on a medication, I could try a diet to reduce my serum glucose level, and sent me to the dietician. She said all the carbs I eat are converted by my body to serum glucose. So I suggested that I stop eating carbs, but of course she said I had to eat half my calories from carbs, and showed me a pictorial meal plate. Huh? I guess if I were an alcoholic she'd suggest I drink half a bottle of whiskey every day. ;-)

As I left the meeting I decided to stop eating carbs as much as I could and started doing research on the web. I found two interesting quotes in the government's "Dietician's Bible" (i.e., "Dietary Reference Intakes", Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine of the National Academies):

"The lower limit of dietary carbohydrate compatible with life apparently is zero", (https://www.nap.edu/read/10490/chapter/8#275); and

"When glucose production or availability decreases below that required for the complete energy requirements for the brain, there is a rise in ketoacid production in the liver in order to provide the brain with an alternative fuel. This has been referred to as ketosis." (https://www.nap.edu/read/10490/chapter/8#277)

So the dietician was wrong, as long as I somehow get requisite micronutrients I can drastically reduce my carbs. But what's ketosis?

Two videos were very informative: "Cereal Killers" and "Cereal Killers II, Run on Fat". Both can be viewed on http://DietDoctor.com (requires a membership but it can be cancelled in first month with no charge). "Run on Fat" introduces researchers Drs. Steve Phinney and Jeff Volek and their two books (see http://artandscienceoflowcarb.com). They define "Nutritional Ketosis" as a desirable and historically normal metabolic state. Although never an athlete, I had jogged regularly in my younger years and I now walk 2+ miles a day, hence my interest in their second book. Plus, athletes push the envelope of what's possible with the human body. BTW, DietDoctor.com has lots of resources for free, outside of the membership pages; e.g., https://www.dietdoctor.com/the-food-revolution-2016 explains why Sweden became a leader in the LCHF movement.

By Spring 2016 my A1C had dropped to 5.2 - in the normal range! I had cured/reversed my diabetes, in spite of the medical community's belief that diabetes is a chronic progressive incurable disease. Along the way I lost 45 lbs and my BMI dropped from 31 (obese) to 25 (at high end of normal). My blood pressure lowered dramatically (106/68 last) and my acid reflux went away, so I stopped taking my "water pill" and Prilosec.

My doctor had prescribed simvastatin for me some time ago because of my "high cholesterol". One of the side effects of taking statins is increased blood sugar, as this study explains: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full...33.2015.1011125. (This review helps understand the study: https://cdn.vortala.com/childsites/...rosclerosis.pdf.)

So the simvastatin may have actually precipitated my diabetes! The study also points out that statins may actually cause the diseases they purport to beneficially treat, heart and cardiovascular! And the study points out that all studies vilifying dietary saturated fat and cholesterol were funded by either the food industry, pushers of no-fat foods, or the very pharmaceutical companies that benefit so richly by the sale of statins. All studies since Europe made it illegal to use conflict-of-interest studies have found no evidence that dietary saturated fat or cholesterol are harmful; indeed, many have found negative correlations between mortality and either dietary saturated fat or cholesterol.

So I stopped taking simvastatin at the end of 2015. My doctor was not pleased. Does anybody know of a doctor near northeastern Massachusetts that supports patients on ketogenic diets? (There's a great one in Surprise, Arizona, Dr. Adam Nally, D.O., http://ketotalk.com/who-we-are/, but office visits would be a little expensive.)

Continuing my web research, I found two other reasons to do keto: to treat or prevent neurological and eye diseases. My favorite aunt died with dementia, so I'm interested in preventing those scary diseases Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, etc.; and my ophthalmologist told me I had the beginning stages of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), as do many seniors. The sources I found:
"Grain Brain: The Surprising Truth about Wheat, Carbs, and Sugar--Your Brain's Silent Killers", by Dr. David Perlmutter, http://amzn.to/2erhCGy; and "Prevent & Reverse Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) with an Ancestral Diet", by Professor Chris Knobbe, M.D., Ophthalmologist, https://youtu.be/AJCLB3D-2cE.

Finally, there is some hope that keto will help treat my metastatic prostate cancer, e.g., https://www.charliefoundation.org/k...in-tumor-cancer. I was first treated with external radiation and hormone therapies in Fall 2012, then Summer of 2016 with chemo and hormone therapies. I've not experienced any pain, and during the chemo I experienced no nausea, which I believe was due to keto. During chemo I carefully adjusted my diet (by eating more fat) so I would not lose any weight (oncologist afraid of Cancer Cachexia). A month after the end of chemo I'm now back to walking 2-5(+) miles per day.

Hopefully I'll make it to the time I'll get a treatment that will cure me; perhaps an immunotherapy treatment, http://parker.org/initiatives/immunotherapy. Meanwhile I'll try to maximize my physical quality of life with keto.

Best wishes to all,
-Steve

P.S.: I worry about global warming; I'd like to leave a healthy and pleasant planet to my four grandkids. At the beginning I thought the only way to combat it was to eliminate burning of fossil fuels, so I marched with my adult children in Washington, DC, and New York City. My son pointed out that another avenue being pursued was sequestration, which at that point meant somehow collecting and burying atmospheric CO2. Since watching Allan Savory's TED talk I began to realize there is another more powerful way to combat global warming, sequester CO2 in arid soils, now turning into desert, using livestock. And I can support that effort by buying grass-fed beef ("killing two birds with one stone")! My sources: http://waldenlocalmeat.com/ and http://grasslandbeef.com/.

Last edited by sks23cu : Wed, Oct-26-16 at 12:03. Reason: add PS connecting LCHF & global warming
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  #2   ^
Old Tue, Oct-25-16, 15:05
khrussva's Avatar
khrussva khrussva is offline
Say NO to Diabetes!
Posts: 8,671
 
Plan: My own - < 30 net carbs
Stats: 440/228/210 Male 5' 11"
BF:Energy Unleashed
Progress: 92%
Location: Central Virginia - USA
Default

Awesome job, Steve. Congratulations for giving diabetes the boot. I get a little Déjà vu from reading your story. In 2014 my A1c was about the same as yours. And today mine is about the same as yours. Amazing what you can find when you do a little digging for yourself. There are many on this forum who have reversed their diabetes. You have like-minded company here. Welcome.
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  #3   ^
Old Tue, Oct-25-16, 15:36
JEY100's Avatar
JEY100 JEY100 is offline
Posts: 13,370
 
Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169 Female 5' 9"
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
Default

Welcome, Steve

What a great story and you have done all your research before finding us, so let us know how we can help you. There is More diabetes information in that forum: http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=45 and you would probably like research and media too: http://forum.lowcarber.org/forumdisplay.php?f=4
and the general health forum.

Here are a few general ways to possibly find a supportive GP:

There are a number of resources to help you find medical care supportive of a reduced carbohydrate way of eating. Some lists include not only medical doctors, but chiropractors, naturopaths, nutritionists, RDs, etc. Some are for general practitioners, some for Obesity specialists. With any recommendation, check the website/reviews or phone the office directly to learn more about the doctor’s philosophy on diet.

Find a Low Carb Doctor (Jimmy Moore’s site): http://lowcarbdoctors.blogspot.com

Primal Docs: http://primaldocs.com

Paleo Physicians Network: http://paleophysiciansnetwork.com

ObesityMedicine.org (New name for the ASBP)
Click Find a Clinician. Members may use other non-surgical plans, not necessarily a LC diet but many are now being trained in it by Eric Westman, past president.

Institute for Functional Medicine: https://www.functionalmedicine.org
Click Find a Practitioner. Functional Medicine addresses the underlying causes of disease, using a systems-oriented approach and engaging both patient and practitioner in a therapeutic partnership, though the Diet may not be LC.

If are looking for an expert in Ketosis, Dr. Eric Westman has a Lifestyle Clinic at Duke, or the HealClinic nearby. In NC it may be possible to have one in-person visit and follow-ups allowed by phone/skype. It would be his Ketogenic Diet you can get for free by ordering the welcome kit right at bottom of this page, with tweaks as needed. https://healclinics.com

I have a long document of dozens of videos, books, article links, and dieticians specifically on using a ketogenic diet for possible cancer prevention. Most of the RD Resources on the Charlie Foundation's list are ones I have also. A newer one they may not have is: Patricia Daly http://patriciadaly.com Melanoma of the eye survivor, Qualified Nutritional therapist, Keto book and course author. Ebook has 14 day meal plan. Consulting services on the Ketogenic Diet for Cancer. Good website and blog with recipes and information about diet/cancer connections. Her newest book:
http://theketogenickitchen.com

It is A document kept up to date for my own oncologist's survivor clinic. Reading the chapter on cancer in Good Calories, Bad Calories is what started me on the long path to low carb ( my light bulb moment ) then ketogenic diets and metabolic therapeutics. Next Metabolic Therapeutics Conference is in Feb. At the 2016 Epigenix Foundation. 26 presentations on Cancer and Ketogenic diets on their YouTube channel, inc. Dr. Thomas Seyfried’s talk, Cancer as a Mitochondrial Metabolic disease. https://youtu.be/PuG5XZSR4vs

You can't pm me until after 25 posts, but if you want to put a scrambled email address here, I would be happy to share it with you.

All the best,

Last edited by JEY100 : Wed, Oct-26-16 at 02:25.
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  #4   ^
Old Tue, Oct-25-16, 17:24
Charms09's Avatar
Charms09 Charms09 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 786
 
Plan: ZC (started w/Atkins)
Stats: 164/132.8/124 Female 5x2"
BF:27%
Progress: 78%
Location: Virginia
Default

WOW!!! What a great story! You have been through a lot & come a long ways! Congratulations to you!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for sharing all the research here! I know it will be helpful to many!

I am new to this WOE so I am not in any position to give advice, pointers or tips but it sounds to me like you are rocking this world!!!
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  #5   ^
Old Tue, Oct-25-16, 17:58
bevangel's Avatar
bevangel bevangel is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,312
 
Plan: modified adkins (sort of)
Stats: 265/176/167 Female 68.5 inches
BF:
Progress: 91%
Location: Austin, TX
Default

Steve - great story! Congrats on successfully figuring things out for yourself and welcome to this forum! Many of us have very similar stories although I think most folks land here before they get this WOE (way of eating) "figured out" nearly as well as you have. Thank you for sharing your story.
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  #6   ^
Old Wed, Oct-26-16, 06:55
JEY100's Avatar
JEY100 JEY100 is offline
Posts: 13,370
 
Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169 Female 5' 9"
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
Default

This morning I remembered in 2009/10 there were some pre-clinical studies at Duke, one with Dr Westman, on LCKD for prostate cancer, led by Dr SJ Freedland. Been quiet since, but was easy to find why. Freedland is now at Cedars-Sinai, director of center for integrated research in cancer and Lifestyle.http://bio.csmc.edu/view/18019/Stephen-J-Freedland.aspx
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19470786

The answer to a question on KD in Dana-Farber's otherwise great on-line resource was not helpful, academia works so slow. Things are happening around them fast in this field. The entrepreneurs willing to throw their own money finding everything that might work at once...listen to what a small team at Ketopet Sanctuary did in 15 months! lecture at Metabolic Theraputics conference mentioned above. https://youtu.be/0vRr65_6dOE

Last edited by JEY100 : Wed, Oct-26-16 at 07:04.
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  #7   ^
Old Wed, Oct-26-16, 08:33
Cthebird Cthebird is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 53
 
Plan: Partially dietitian
Stats: 161.4/158.8/148 Female 5'6.5"
BF:
Progress: 19%
Location: NJ
Default

I didn't know that statins can affect glucose levels. That's good to know. Actually my doctor is threatening to put me on a statin if I don't lower my triglycerides and cholesterol in 5 months. My glucose level and hemoglobin levels are fine. It would be horrible if they went up again for the sake of treating my cholesterol.

My doctor gave me another chance to lower my blood work by lowering my carbs. I am using a dietitian prescribed low carb diet (or semi-low carb to many here). I had lost over 30 lbs on that diet years ago and normalized ALL of my bloodwork, so I'm hoping it will do it again.

Best of luck keeping yourself healthy and welcome to the forums.
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  #8   ^
Old Fri, Oct-28-16, 12:04
sks23cu sks23cu is offline
New Member
Posts: 15
 
Plan: zero-carb ketogenic
Stats: 205/168/160 Male 66.5 inches
BF:
Progress: 82%
Location: Westford, MA
Default

P.P.S.: A1C tests (added new one):

10/9/13 6.4
4/15/14 6.9
4/21/15 6.3 ~LCHF
11/2/15 5.7 LCHF
2/24/16 5.5 Keto
5/12/16 5.2
10/27/16 4.9

So now I'm in Grain Brain's ideal range of 4.8-5.4 (pg 117) and am protecting my brain!
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  #9   ^
Old Fri, Oct-28-16, 12:17
Charms09's Avatar
Charms09 Charms09 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 786
 
Plan: ZC (started w/Atkins)
Stats: 164/132.8/124 Female 5x2"
BF:27%
Progress: 78%
Location: Virginia
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cthebird
I didn't know that statins can affect glucose levels. That's good to know. Actually my doctor is threatening to put me on a statin if I don't lower my triglycerides and cholesterol in 5 months. My glucose level and hemoglobin levels are fine. It would be horrible if they went up again for the sake of treating my.


I recently read that in the US 60% of the population over 45 are on a statin!!! Some are on stating because their cholesterol is close to high & doctors call this a "preventative" regimen.
In fact my Dr gave me a prescription for a statin because my cholesterol was 12 points down from what is considered the high level & I said no thank you & he got irritated with me!
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  #10   ^
Old Fri, Oct-28-16, 12:42
Nancy LC's Avatar
Nancy LC Nancy LC is offline
Experimenter
Posts: 25,843
 
Plan: DDF
Stats: 202/185.4/179 Female 67
BF:
Progress: 72%
Location: San Diego, CA
Default

Wow! You made a cognitive leap almost no one does: Diabetes is a disorder of processing dietary carbohydrate so the standard advice to eat a bunch of carbohydrate is crazy. First of all, almost no one figures that out on their own, so I'm super impressed by that.

Then you actually researched it yourself and found all the stuff we've been putting together for years. So, another amazing feat.

You are one smart person! Very impressive.
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  #11   ^
Old Fri, Nov-04-16, 03:48
sks23cu sks23cu is offline
New Member
Posts: 15
 
Plan: zero-carb ketogenic
Stats: 205/168/160 Male 66.5 inches
BF:
Progress: 82%
Location: Westford, MA
Default

THANK YOU SO MUCH everyone who replied to My Story. I'll be reviewing all the suggestions and replying directly as time permits.
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  #12   ^
Old Fri, Nov-04-16, 09:00
MickiSue MickiSue is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 8,006
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 189/148.6/145 Female 5' 5"
BF:36%/28%/25%
Progress: 92%
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Default

I.am.impressed.

The meticulous research you did, because you DID make the cognitive leap mentioned by Nancy is stellar. As are your results.

The fact that you found dietdoctorcom on your own, all by itself is impressive, because most people are led there, they don't wander there.

If you have the option of travel for at least consultations for your metastatic prostate cancer, I would strongly recommend it. There are, obviously, clinicians who are more and who are less competent, or even up to date, in treating the more stubborn cancers. For me, the cost of a plane ticket and a hotel room would be well worth it, if it were my life in the balance.
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  #13   ^
Old Mon, Nov-07-16, 07:16
JEY100's Avatar
JEY100 JEY100 is offline
Posts: 13,370
 
Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169 Female 5' 9"
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
Default

Congrats and thank you Steve for sharing your story on DietDoctor too. You never know who you will have inspired around the world to also heal themselves through nutrition.
https://www.dietdoctor.com/healing-brain-well-pancreas
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  #14   ^
Old Mon, Nov-07-16, 10:21
GRB5111's Avatar
GRB5111 GRB5111 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 4,036
 
Plan: Very LC, Higher Protein
Stats: 227/186/185 Male 6' 0"
BF:
Progress: 98%
Location: Herndon, VA
Default

Thanks for the post, Steve. Very impressive. Best wishes as you continue your journey!
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  #15   ^
Old Sun, Mar-18-18, 10:24
sks23cu sks23cu is offline
New Member
Posts: 15
 
Plan: zero-carb ketogenic
Stats: 205/168/160 Male 66.5 inches
BF:
Progress: 82%
Location: Westford, MA
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sks23cu
... there is some hope that keto will help treat my metastatic prostate cancer


I've been reducing my carb intake and since May 2017 have been ZC (no plant based foods; except ~6 cups of coffee per day, with 1 tbsp cacao once or twice a day). I eat grass fed/finished ribeye beef steaks and canned salmon (with bones & skin) or sardines.

I was rewarded at the end of 2017 with a GREAT PET bone scan! My oncologist declared that I was in a remission! And that it was "remarkable" given that my metastatic cancer was "high-volume".



- Steve
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