Atkins & Diabetes

ohiogirl2003 · 11-19-2004, 07:52 AM

I am thinking about starting Atkins. I also want my husband to start it with me. He is willing but he has Type 2 diabetes.
I am just wondering if there is any reason that he shouldn't do Atkins. I mainly worry about his kidney function?
Any advice/info would be appreciated.
Thank you
Stephanie

MAMZELLE · 11-20-2004, 12:02 AM

in the simplest terms, Atkins is just cutting out the unhealthy foods [sugars & starch], and all the junk that is manufactured, and eating wholesome, pure, foods instead of all those packaged shortcuts with all those poisens in them, and after the first two weeks where you've already been eating healthy carbs [vegetables, salads, & more], even more carbs are added and built up weekly, but only the healthy, complex ones and only to the level that our each individual bodies need them and where we DON'T gain weight from the excess that we DON'T need. Have I said anything above that's to be fearful of yet? :-)

I can't think of anything more logical and healthy than THAT.... for ANYONE. What could be bad about it, and what's bad about not gaining weight from the foods we eat when on maintenance and continuing that through our lives. Dr. Atkins was a diabetic specialist and Cardiologist first, not a diet guru. His diet is FOR diabetes, he got my mother
entirely off insulin [after needing it for many years].... and millions of others too, because that's what this diet is for, first and foremost. And if your husband is a diabetic, he's being monitored closely by a doctor anyway, I presume, so that's a second reason to alleviate any fears.

That's how *I* always look at it, anyway. There's nothing complicated about it, really.

MAMZELLE · 11-23-2004, 08:25 AM

I deliberately didn't address the 'fats' issue above, because 'most' people eat meat anyway, and on atkins, it's just eliminating the other elements which make the fats UNhealthy [starch & sugars], without them there's no problem with fats, especially the good ones [!]

Among other things, I also make SURE to have olive oil every single day because of the benefits [and of course my Omega3's, etc.].... and no one's being forced to eat meats and can stick to chicken and fish mostly, instead, if they prefer.

Atkins is not the worst excessive fat diet anyway, like Banta, and probably some others which require 85% fats. I personally don't 'deliberately' ADD fats, I just eat them liberally, and don't restrict those foods that come with the fats, nor mayo, butter and of course the good fats.

I was never told by Atkins to ADD fats nor is it something that remained prominantly in my mind to heavily do, nor in the book, all I remember in my mental file from the decades that I both partially and strictly followed the diet on and off..... is just not to ""AVOID""" fats, they were what kept us satisfied [along with all the other reasons not to be afraid of them] therefore I never restricted them, I ate them liberally, but didn't 'force' them.

Everything's gotten so complicated in later years, especially now..... but not complicated for me, because I'm a veterin and always stuck to the original!

LoriWants2Lose · 11-26-2004, 10:05 PM

Ohiogirl, he should probably speak to his doctor (or an Atkins friendly one) first, but when my blood sugar numbers came back in the diabetic range, my doctor put me on low carb. My numbers are now down in the 90s for fasting most days (I see occasional spikes, depending upon what I eat the night before. I need a high protein & fat snack just before bed).

I also have an uncle who had extremely high blood sugar, started Atkins, and is now in the normal range. My dad, who had been on cholesterol medicine for years, was able to cut back after doing South Beach. I'm a big believer

Lori

Atkins_Nutritionist · 11-29-2004, 10:38 AM

I would advise you and your husband to first learn more about the Atkins Nutritional Approach and also read Atkins Diabetes Revolution. It would be a good idea to see a doctor and discuss your plans with him. Has your husband had previous kidney problems? If so, Atkins is not right for him. But if his kidney function is and has always been normal, than there is no reason to be concerned. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions.

MAMZELLE · 11-30-2004, 11:26 AM

what are the signs of kidney problems?

Atkins_Nutritionist · 12-02-2004, 07:46 AM

The first sign of kidney damage is the presence of albumin (a type of protein) in the urine. A sensitive urine test for a tiny amount of albumin (microalbuminuria) helps to detect this damage. Later, kidney function may decrease. Your kindney function is checked by estimating the glomerular filtration rat (GFR) from the results of your blood creatinine test. When your kidneys are damaged, they cannot clean your blood properly, and waste products build up in your blood. Your body will retain more water and salt than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling.

What you eat will not cause kidney damage. If you eat high amounts of protein, for example, your kidneys will not be affected. However, if you already have damage, either as a primary disease or a secondary disease caused by diabetes for example, than this is when you will have to adjust what you eat to manage the condition.

11-19-2004, 07:52 AM	#1
ohiogirl2003 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: OHIO Posts: 24 Gallery: ohiogirl2003	Atkins & Diabetes I am thinking about starting Atkins. I also want my husband to start it with me. He is willing but he has Type 2 diabetes. I am just wondering if there is any reason that he shouldn't do Atkins. I mainly worry about his kidney function? Any advice/info would be appreciated. Thank you Stephanie

11-23-2004, 08:25 AM	#3
MAMZELLE MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MANHATTAN NYC - click on ''MAMZELLE" directly below for more photos. Posts: 1,021 Gallery: MAMZELLE Stats: LIFETIME MANTENANCE WOE: ATKINS "ORIGINAL" DIET - why tamper with success!! Start Date: as Patient when the Maestro's FIRST book came out	PS.... I deliberately didn't address the 'fats' issue above, because 'most' people eat meat anyway, and on atkins, it's just eliminating the other elements which make the fats UNhealthy [starch & sugars], without them there's no problem with fats, especially the good ones [!] Among other things, I also make SURE to have olive oil every single day because of the benefits [and of course my Omega3's, etc.].... and no one's being forced to eat meats and can stick to chicken and fish mostly, instead, if they prefer. Atkins is not the worst excessive fat diet anyway, like Banta, and probably some others which require 85% fats. I personally don't 'deliberately' ADD fats, I just eat them liberally, and don't restrict those foods that come with the fats, nor mayo, butter and of course the good fats. I was never told by Atkins to ADD fats nor is it something that remained prominantly in my mind to heavily do, nor in the book, all I remember in my mental file from the decades that I both partially and strictly followed the diet on and off..... is just not to ""AVOID""" fats, they were what kept us satisfied [along with all the other reasons not to be afraid of them] therefore I never restricted them, I ate them liberally, but didn't 'force' them. Everything's gotten so complicated in later years, especially now..... but not complicated for me, because I'm a veterin and always stuck to the original!

11-26-2004, 10:05 PM	#4
LoriWants2Lose MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Anywhere my imagination takes me Posts: 1,964 Gallery: LoriWants2Lose Stats: 229/209.8/155 WOE: Atkins Start Date: over and over again, but not giving up!	Ohiogirl, he should probably speak to his doctor (or an Atkins friendly one) first, but when my blood sugar numbers came back in the diabetic range, my doctor put me on low carb. My numbers are now down in the 90s for fasting most days (I see occasional spikes, depending upon what I eat the night before. I need a high protein & fat snack just before bed). I also have an uncle who had extremely high blood sugar, started Atkins, and is now in the normal range. My dad, who had been on cholesterol medicine for years, was able to cut back after doing South Beach. I'm a big believer Lori __________________ Lori "We're all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." ~ Oscar Wilde Next goal: Onederland

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11-20-2004, 12:02 AM	#2
MAMZELLE MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MANHATTAN NYC - click on ''MAMZELLE" directly below for more photos. Posts: 1,021 Gallery: MAMZELLE Stats: LIFETIME MANTENANCE WOE: ATKINS "ORIGINAL" DIET - why tamper with success!! Start Date: as Patient when the Maestro's FIRST book came out	in the simplest terms, Atkins is just cutting out the unhealthy foods [sugars & starch], and all the junk that is manufactured, and eating wholesome, pure, foods instead of all those packaged shortcuts with all those poisens in them, and after the first two weeks where you've already been eating healthy carbs [vegetables, salads, & more], even more carbs are added and built up weekly, but only the healthy, complex ones and only to the level that our each individual bodies need them and where we DON'T gain weight from the excess that we DON'T need. Have I said anything above that's to be fearful of yet? :-) I can't think of anything more logical and healthy than THAT.... for ANYONE. What could be bad about it, and what's bad about not gaining weight from the foods we eat when on maintenance and continuing that through our lives. Dr. Atkins was a diabetic specialist and Cardiologist first, not a diet guru. His diet is FOR diabetes, he got my mother entirely off insulin [after needing it for many years].... and millions of others too, because that's what this diet is for, first and foremost. And if your husband is a diabetic, he's being monitored closely by a doctor anyway, I presume, so that's a second reason to alleviate any fears. That's how I always look at it, anyway. There's nothing complicated about it, really.

11-29-2004, 10:38 AM	#5
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	I would advise you and your husband to first learn more about the Atkins Nutritional Approach and also read Atkins Diabetes Revolution. It would be a good idea to see a doctor and discuss your plans with him. Has your husband had previous kidney problems? If so, Atkins is not right for him. But if his kidney function is and has always been normal, than there is no reason to be concerned. Good luck and let us know if you have any other questions.

11-30-2004, 11:26 AM	#6
MAMZELLE MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MANHATTAN NYC - click on ''MAMZELLE" directly below for more photos. Posts: 1,021 Gallery: MAMZELLE Stats: LIFETIME MANTENANCE WOE: ATKINS "ORIGINAL" DIET - why tamper with success!! Start Date: as Patient when the Maestro's FIRST book came out	what are the signs of kidney problems?

12-02-2004, 07:46 AM	#7
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	The first sign of kidney damage is the presence of albumin (a type of protein) in the urine. A sensitive urine test for a tiny amount of albumin (microalbuminuria) helps to detect this damage. Later, kidney function may decrease. Your kindney function is checked by estimating the glomerular filtration rat (GFR) from the results of your blood creatinine test. When your kidneys are damaged, they cannot clean your blood properly, and waste products build up in your blood. Your body will retain more water and salt than it should, which can result in weight gain and ankle swelling. What you eat will not cause kidney damage. If you eat high amounts of protein, for example, your kidneys will not be affected. However, if you already have damage, either as a primary disease or a secondary disease caused by diabetes for example, than this is when you will have to adjust what you eat to manage the condition.