As an advocate of Dr. Richard Bernstein’s beliefs that low-fat diets are not the best mechanism for lowering lipid levels, targeting and achieving good, level blood sugar levels and, in general, feeling well, I am thrilled that there is continued mounting evidence he is absolutely right. The arguments against his beliefs have always included “well there are no studies.” Fortunately, the researchers and people in charge of defining studies are finally listening.

Doctors refuse to listen to the evidence from patients like me who have tried lower carbohydrate choices and had huge success. Then again, they have never lived with diabetes and Dr. Bernstein does and has for more than 60 years so the stakes are very different.

The Women's Health Initiative conducted a study (Women's Health Initiative Dietary Modification Trial) performed from 1993 to 2005 including 48,835 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 years. The women, chosen randomly, in the low-fat group ate a 20% low-fat diet. What the study concluded was that there was no reduction in instances of diabetes. “The researchers concluded that reduced incidence of diabetes came more from weight loss (and exercise) than the decreases in total fat intake.” (See the August, 2008 edition of Diabetes in Control.)

My experience with my post-menopausal friends and acquaintances is that even those who adhere to high vegetable (salads), high fiber, low fat and low protein diets do not and can not lose weight. They usually just gain more. In addition, their lipid panels continue to be high. Finally … they are constantly hungry.

So, I look forward to more studies, evidence and articles from Dr. Bernstein that will continue to enforce the fact that low fat/low protein diets are NOT what our bodies really need (diabetic or not yet diagnosed).

-------------------------
Doris

diagnosed juvenile-onset diabetes 11/2/76