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FROM LADA TO LOW-CARB: THE ZENOBAR STORY
Your lab work is normal,” my doctor said reassuringly after my annual physical. “…Oh, your fasting glucose is 103, but I’m sure that’s just a blip since you’re thin, fit and healthy. See you next year!” Hanging up, I thought, “Blip, what blip?” After some quick research, I bought a blood glucose meter, ate 100 grams of white bread and watched the readings climb to 175—prediabetic, according to the internet. My doctor referred me to an endocrinologist who said, “Don’t worry. You don’t have a diabetes problem, and I’m willing to bet you on it.” We shook hands.Get more news about Carburetor For Lada,you can vist our website!
A week later, my two-hour glucose test confirmed my worst fears when I hit 206. It was of little consolation when my endo apologized after admitting that I had “won” and had late-onset type 1—or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA). Oddly, neither he nor my general physician suggested doing an A1c test so today, I can only guess at what level I was at then: 6.0, 7.5? I still have no idea. The signs were clear in retrospect. My lower legs often swelled at the end of the day (sonogram tests couldn’t identify a cause), I had an operation for a frozen shoulder, had proteinuria, and had experienced kidney stones twice. All of these are expected complications of diabetes. Soon after my self-diagnosis, I discovered the brilliant work of Dr. Richard Bernstein and began the challenging, ultra-low-carb diet that he recommended. With a 7-year old son, I was committed to doing whatever it took to get healthy.
A DIABETIC HERO
Bernstein’s personal story is fascinating. He was diagnosed with diabetes at age 12 and for the next 20 years, had worsening complications. While in his 30s, with three small children, he felt like an old man and was concerned about his longevity. As his insulin doses grew, so did his hypo incidents. Finally, he saw an ad in a medical journal for a meter to help emergency room physicians tell the difference between an unconscious drunk and an unconscious person with diabetes without the need for lab samples (labs were often closed on nights or weekends). He became the first person to use the meter for multiple, daily blood tests, watching his own peaks and valleys range from the high 30s to over 400mg/dl. By testing repeatedly each day while experimenting with diet, he brought his levels down so that he only needed one-sixth of the insulin that his doctor prescribed.
Today at 85 years old, Dr. Bernstein is the picture of health. He continues to see patients in his Mamaroneck, New York office, lectures widely, and still does heavy workouts at the gym. His cholesterol and triglyceride levels are at the low end of normal range, his coronary heart scan score is 1.0, virtually plaque-free. He religiously maintains a blood sugar of 83mg/dl and his A1c hovers around 4.7. He is probably the oldest type 1 to be in such fabulous health 73 years after his diagnosis. Obviously, he’s a role model for us all!
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