Testimonials: Diabetes & The Paleo Diet

I tried the Paleo Diet after a friend lost weight with it. I had asked my doctor about it, and he supported me 100%, because he said my weight was making my diabetes much worse, and he was worried about my heart.

Starting out was difficult and a big adjustment because I loved Krispy Kreme donuts, cakes and all kinds of sweets. But I realized after about a week on the diet that I wasn’t really craving them anymore! Instead, I reached for some hard cheese or raw vegetables at snack time and felt really satisfied.

The best part for me was when I realized I could fit into my old gym clothes I hadn’t worn in years – and I looked great! But my doctor is happiest about my blood sugar, which has stabilized so much that I don’t have to take medication any longer for my diabetes. In fact, he told me that if I stay on the Paleo Diet from now on, I may never need medication again! I’m healthier, better looking and happier. I love the Paleo Diet!

Brandon Fields

I thought a brief history of my search for the “proper food for mankind” might be of interest to you. I became a type 2 diabetic in 1967 at the age of 39. I was put on the standard ADA type diet, emphasizing carbohydrates. I more or less followed this diet for 14 years and then ended up in the hospital with two diabetic ulcers on my left foot (a corrected club foot with several high pressure spots). It was at this time that the first glucometers were being introduced. These glucose meters allowed you to measure your blood glucose (sugar) level at home. A nurse helped me obtain one and my journey began searching for my best diet regimen. When I was released from the hospital I was on 28 units of insulin per day. Six months later, I was on “0” medication. I had used my meter to record my BG reactions to the different foods that I ate. I soon discovered that certain foods raised my BG levels dramatically and I would then eliminate them from my diet. I also eliminated almost all manufactured, processed, foods. The foods first eliminated were all grains, dairy products and some starchy vegetables, most notably potatoes.

For the next 15 years I continued to perfect my regimen using my BG reactions as my only guide. Then I was given a computer by my daughter and a whole new world opened up. It was at this time I discovered the Paleo diet and was amazed at the close similarity with my regimen. I thought this might all be of interest to you. I was able to stay off insulin for over 10 years but suffered a trauma about 6 years ago and had to go back on insulin. My health is very good and my BG readings are in the normal range (70 to 130 mg/dI) over 95% of the time. My doctor says that from my blood chemistries and physicals he would not know I was diabetic.

I have read your book and all the papers I could find and find your work fascinating.

Anonymous

Thank you for the research you have done with this diet. As a Type I diabetic for 20 years, I have been dieting a long time. For the past 9 months I have been on your diet. I feel as if I am in the best shape of my life. My blood sugar is rarely out of control and my A 1 C has never been better. When I began using the insulin pump 10 years ago I thought my control could not get any better. It has without a doubt.

I have recently returned to college to pursue a degree in health education. The benefits of Paleolithic nutrition will certainly be voiced by me.

Anonymous

I had a heart attack two years ago, I’m only 51, my glucose levels were out of control – my sugar was either too high or too low – and I was about 15 lbs overweight. I was exercising 20 or 30 minutes a day on my eliptical machine in front of the T.V. I honestly thought I was eating healthy and balanced, but I could never lose one pound.

My glucose levels were often in the 180 to 225 range. Sometimes it would drop to 51 and I felt that the end was near. Every morning I woke up it was always high – 170 was a low for my morning reading, but it was never any lower and usually higher.

I was on more and more medicines, 10 mg of glipizide in the evening, actos in the morning, plus 5mg of Byetta in the morning and evening. My doctor was talking about adding insulin in the evening to bring my morning glucose down. That was the last straw. I always felt like I had a touch of the flu.

I picked up a copy of your book on the advice of my daughters’ gynecologist. (She said this diet would cure their acne problems). I read the book and started right away on the healthy diet.

I saw changes in my glucose levels in the first week on the diet. My morning levels were coming down. I cut down on my meds after the first week because I didn’t need so much anymore.

Now I take only 5mg of Glipizide in the evening, and still take the Byetta shots morning and evening. But I’m sure I will be cutting that down soon.

I also started walking outside right away. I lost the feeling that I had the flu all the time after the first week also.

I love the diet, it took a little readjustment of my thinking to get used to it. The first week I felt a little tired, weak, but not like the flu!!! I can’t imagine eating any other way now.

I’ve lost 11 lbs and still have a little to go. (I’m down to 135 and I’m 5’4”.) I may want to go to 128 (instead of my original 132).

My mom always said, “You are what you eat!” Now I believe it.

Because of your book I have my life back. I truly believe that your book saved my life.

Thank you and God bless you.

Renee T. Ray

Now aged 73, I had two heart attacks at 47. It was all downhill after that. Glaucoma, chronic lymphatic leukemia about 14 years ago. Open heart surgery 8 years ago. Type 2 diabetes 4 years ago. No treatment given for the CLL. It was all downhill. I had to take early retirement at age 58.

Two things have turned my health around.

1. Discovering emu oil for internal use. 2. Converting to the Paleo Diet, over a year ago.

I am now better than I have been for many years. The constant down turn has been reversed. On my last six monthly visits to see my haematologist I was told, “You will almost certainly never require any therapy (chemo, radiation). You will die of something else. Go out and enjoy the next 20 years of your life!”

On the last visit to see the endocrinologist, for diabetes condition, two months ago, he almost took me off insulin, so well controlled were my blood sugars. I am expecting this to happen at my next visit in December. I went on to emu oil because of crippling effects of statin drugs. Emu oil has kept my cholesterol at the same levels as statin drugs, around 3, allowing me to quit statin drugs for about 4 years now.

The Paleo Diet is adding to this improvement. Virtually the only cereals I eat are some healthful grain bread. I quit the loves of my life: pasta, rice, dairy products, and now don’t miss them. I am doing light manual work around the grounds here, quite impossible for me in the past.

One final advantage, I could not lose weight under the diabetic diet. Only when I went on the Paleo Diet did I lose weight, and not feel deprived or hungry. My weight dropped 4 kilos to 66 kilos but is now 69 kilos. Quitting bread is on my aim agenda and I expect if I do quit it, the weight will again be 66 kilos.

I eat mostly chicken, grilled fish, vegetables, salad and cooked, a little tinned salmon, lots of fruit. Certainly well within the 85% rule. I think about 90 plus compliant.

I hope this is of some interest. For me it has been lifesaving.

Trevor