I have metabolic syndrome. To have metabolic syndrome, you must have at
least three of the following: high blood
pressure, high cholesterol, his triglycerides, high blood sugar, and excess
body fat around the waist. It is kind of
pre-pre-diabetes. So, it is something I
do not want.
I picked up Cyrus Khambatta and Robby Barbaro’s book, Mastering
Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to
Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes,
and Gestational Diabetes. With a
forward by Neal Barnard – who has written a book on reversing diabetes.
The first five chapters introduce the authors – who are
both diabetics, and they explain what insulin resistance is and what it is in
relation to the intwined diseases. They conclude
that animal produces are a major detrimental health factor in insulin
resistance.
Each chapter has shaded boxes with further explanations,
charts and diagrams to help with understanding, anecdotal stories, and a
bullet-point “take-home messages” page with the link to what amount to
thousands of scientific papers referenced to back up their argument.
Beginning in chapter eight, they introduce their “Mastering
Diabetes Method,” and they introduce the concepts of green light, yellow light,
and red light foods – designating how much is allowed. The encourage the reader to write down
specific goals and to plan out weekly menus.
In the nineth chapter, they write about the need to be
monitored by a doctor and the tests that are most important to see how you are
progressing. The also explain how to use
a “decision tree” in making healthful decisions.
Chapter ten begins with a questionnaire about your weight
and eating habits, which determines which of two breakfast types you should
begin with. If you score low on the scale,
they start you off with a fruit bowl for breakfast. If you score in the top 75% of their questionnaire,
they start you with a high fiber breakfast for two to four weeks and then switch
you to the fruit bowl.
Lunches are vegetables, grains, and beans. They discuss calorie density and how that
works – and they illustrate several comparisons of this food versus this food
for calorie density. And they explain batch
prepping.
Dinners are salads with vegetables.
Chapter thirteen looks at the benefits of intermittent
fasting and offers several patterns, with 16:8 being the most frequently
adapted. (16 hours a day fasting.)
Fourteen looks at the benefits of exercising.
Chapter fifteen has suggested meal plans and sample
recipes.
Appendix A explains C-Peptide testing.
Appendix B lists the green, yellow, and red foods.
Appendix C looks at the use of decision tree.
The book ends with a lengthy index.
This is an excellent book for anyone looking to reduce
their insulin resistance and/or reverse any of these diseases. It is science-based – with thousands of
papers referenced. It is clear – with explanation,
charts, illustrations, summaries, and anecdotes. It is an extensive, useful, and helpful
guide.
Their meal plan reminds me of the first book I ever read
on what is now called Whole-Food, Plant-Based diet – that being the Diamond’s, Fit
for Life. Their reliance on scientific papers reminds me of Dr. Gregor’s
work.
I am continuing to tweak my diet and lifestyle with sarcoidosis
and prednisone, and this book with be a help in getting healthier.
Nearly 100% of Americans are overweight. Two-thirds of Americans are obese. Get this book. Care for your body and your life.
[This review appears on my blog, my
YouTube channel, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]
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