Improvements in Biomarkers through Diet

I was quite busy working with diabetic patients on their diet, this is the reason why I have been absent from my blog for the past few months.

I think that the option of managing blood glucose levels through a diet that really works should be offered to diabetic patients. Today, the only option is a diet quite high in carbohydrates and low in calories (recommended by health authorities around the world). A low-carbohydrate approach is almost never mentioned, despite the existence of studies pointing to the beneficial effects of such diets.

A Randomized Pilot Trial of a Moderate Carbohydrate Diet Compared to a Very Low Carbohydrate Diet in Overweight or Obese Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus or Prediabetes

Dietary Carbohydrate restriction as the first approach in diabetes management. Critical review and evidence base

In my experience, this is what happens when diabetics switch to a diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates:

• HDL (good cholesterol): increases
• LDL (bad cholesterol): decreases
• Triglycerides: decrease
• Blood glucose: decreases
• HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin, an indicator of the average plasma glucose concentration over prolonged periods of time): decreases
• CRP (C-reactive protein): decreases

High level of CRP is associated with an increased incidence of cancer, cardiovascular disease and inflammation. One particular friend on mine was able to lower her level of CRP from 2.8 mg/L to 1.1 mg/L through diet (normal level is lower than 1.0 mg/L). 

Of course, these patients are followed and their results interpreted by medical professionals. Medication is lowered or eliminated according to the improvements, as advised by their respective doctors.

I might have already posted this video in the past, but I think it's worth going through again to see what happens in our bodies when we are not tolerant to carbohydrates anymore:

Jeff Volek: Moving Toward a Personalized Approach to Nutrition-Role of Carbohydrate Intake

Finally an idea for breakfast. I do not eat breakfast every day, I'm simply not hungry. But when I do, it is similar to this:

• Mixed salad
• Avocado
• Egg
• Parmesan cheese
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt and Pepper