last week my husband who has never followed a nutritional program or an exercise program was diagnosed with diabetes type 2, he is currently on two medications.

after reading several of the zone books, i feel confident that the zone lifestyle would be beneficial for my husband.
his primary md is not an advocate of the zone lifestyle, instead referring him to the diabetic guidelines.

my question would be ( in laments terms)- if my follows the zone lifestyle- could it result in him not being dependant on medication??

i realize that the zone lifestyle is balancing of hormones and insulin.. but are there any studies showing it's affects with type 2 diabetes??

suzanne

Others with more experience wit Diabetes can chime in on that specific Q.
I will just add that should you decide to follow the Zone;
you will also be following the diabetic guidelines.
I would suggest limiting most, if not all grains following the Zone,
with the exception of Steel Cut Oats and Quinoa . . .
Again, I will let those with more experience with Type 2 Diabetes answer you more fully and completely.

Suzanne, yes, studies exist. You can read about the results of one such study in the first Zone book, "Enter The Zone" pages 152 through 160. You may also be able to find specific studies listed in the in the appendices of your Zone books. Some more info, the Zone was developed for people who have type 2 diabetes and for people who have heart disease. The Zone diet is essentially the same diet now recommended by the famous Joslin Diabetes Center. Go to drsears.com>Resources>Anti-Inflammatory Medicine Monographs to find a concise informative overview of the Zone that you can print to share with your physicians.

I am gathering more information for you but in the meantime you may be interested in reading the following link.

http://www.cbn.com/health/NaturalHe...betes.aspx

Sue has given you a good direction and her reading references are very good !

Note, Quinoa is not a favorable carbohydrate for the Zone.

Suzanne, your husband can definitely improve his glucose control by following the zone. I have had personal experience with this, Having had gestational diabetes and controlling blood sugar using zone principles and avoiding additional medication. I am also at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but it has been 9 years since my last child was born and so far have avoided this diagnosis following the zone.

Unfortunately, your physician is not familiar with the Harvard University’s Joslin Diabetic Clinic recommendations to follow a 40/30/30 diet which is identical to the Zone. 40% of your calories come from low glycemic vegetables, 30% from lean proteins and 30% from heart healthy monounsaturated fats like olive oil. This is easily achieved by following the basic Zone guidelines as outlined in the listed resources below.
The Zone was developed for and tested with Type 2 diabetics. Since a low glycemic diet (the Zone) will help to control blood sugars and insulin levels those individuals who are on medication/insulin must monitor their blood sugars and make the necessary adjustments with the possibility of eliminating the medications over time. The Zone recommends colorful, non-starchy vegetables and suggests very small amounts or the elimination of complex carbohydrates as they are too carbohydrate dense and will raise blood sugars rapidly. Diabetics can follow the basic Zone guidelines and recipes with impressive results and must work with their physicians to adjust their medications.
As requested here’s a link to Zone validation studies and diabetic studies drsears.com/AntiInflammatoryNutrition/tabid/380/Default.aspx
Resources that will help you follow the Zone;
1) www.zonediet.com/tools/quick-start-guide - an overview of the Zone
2) www.zonediet.com/tools/zone-classic helpful ways to eat in the Zone
3) drsears.com/AntiInflammatoryNutrition/tabid/380/Default.aspx - Note link to other videos
4) www.zonediet.com/tools/zone-classic - helpful ways to eat in the Zone
5) www.zonediet.com/zone-classic-recipes - hundreds of Zone recipes using fresh fruits and vegetables
6) www.zonediet.com/ note You Tube link at bottom of page
7) www.blog.zonediet.com/ Dr. Sears’ blogs – very informative and usually footnoted to support his comments.
8) www.zonediet.com/blog/2012/01/what-is-cellular-inflammation/

My experience is that docs look at popular diets as fads. But when you give a description of the dietary and lifestyle changes that have been made, they are generally accepting of that. So, perhaps you would want to approach him or her with the positive changes that are being made. The Joslin Study is also a great reference, it is professionally written and Probably mote highly respected.

Even Taking the info to a dietician might be helpful, she might be willing to work with your hubby on incorporating the two dietary approaches together.

thank you everyone!!

on july 19, my husbands #'s were 415,
after starting his medication and THE Zone lifestyle, his number went to mid 250's, ( july 26),
a week later- staying on the zone lifestyle, his numbers dropped again to 140, then my husband ( mark) decided to eat out of the zone for a night, his blood levels the next morning rose to 180,
he told me he felt tired and out of sorts, he returned to the zone lifestyle and several days later his blood levels were 104, now here comes the exciting part (as if these numbers weren't exciting enough), last night (aug. 14), his number was 96!!!! WOO HOO!!!!! below 100!!! now if he can maintain this lifestyle, hopefully his numbers will continue this progress and he will have a chance to be off his meds. (which is both of ours desires).

I am so proud of mark, it wasn't, and still isn't an easy transition. afterall, his favorite foods were fried and grains/goodies.

I on the other hand, am quite exhausted from preparing breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, snack for 5 everyday. but it's worth the effort for our health and well being!!

and i did take the advice, to copy some info on the zone, but his md wasn't too impressed, and felt his numbers dropped due to his meds-- not the diet, we too shall see-- for if mark's numbers remain under 100 for a month, he has his md's permission to stop his meds and see what happens ( he will just have to monitor his blood more closely).

CONGRATS! and keep it up.
The effort of preparing healthy meals/snacks will IS worth it!
It gets easier in time, second nature.
I've been doing it for about 8 years.

Excellent report! You and Mark are doing a great job. You'll find that eating in the Zone soon becomes second nature.

With numbers as high as he started, it is no doubt that he had to start some medication. That probably gave him his initial boost to get things in line.

However, how can it be argued about what happened to his numbers when he went off of the Zone and his numbers jumped? Wow, I think that is impressive!

The real proof will be when he is able to go off of his meds and manage everything with diet and lifestyle changes. Because, seriously, with numbers as high as he was, he was headed for that point in the disease when oral meds and diet management are no longer possible. So, to be able to reverse it is great news!

I agree with John, the effort is truly worth it in the end. If I had a crystal ball, I would tell you that he was headed into a really bad direction in which he was also at high risk for heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, etc. I am a health professional and I see what happens on the other end of the spectrum when people don't change their lifestyle. Working at a hospital, most of our inpatient admissions have various diagnoses, but the underlying secondary diagnosis is almost always diabetes.

And, I can vouch for the fact that it does get easier as time goes along. You will soon establish some routines, find some favorite recipes, find the easy ones, and you will find time-saving tips that work for you.

wow, congratulations!!! that is amazing.

I agree its a LOT of work initially, but over time I found shortcuts, so it became a lot easier.

Of course, these days, I'm only eating for one ... but back then, I was cooking for two and three people ...

I'm separated.

alexy

back when I was shopping, cooking, cleaning up, etc., for me AND for other people ... boy it was a LOT of work!!

But there are a lot of short-cuts so it DOES get much easier over time ...

I personally eat my veggies and protein straight up these days, no cooking anymore, it's just too much work for me. Just throw my veggies into the microwave and have protein with it. Thats it.

Alexy

Here's one easy way to get protein: just microwave your frozen pieces of fish.

with frozen salmon (4 pieces in a package), pollock (3 meals' worth of protein for a woman in a package), etc.,: all I do is put them in a square container, glass that is, and microwave with the glass top on but slightly off to let the air escape.

I suburge the fish in water enough to completely cover them before I pop them in the microwave.

I microwave for 10 minutes.

I take them out. I do things like, for pollock, I add one tablespoon of extra-light-tasting olive oil. It transforms the fish (for me personally) so that I really love eating pollock. I don't like it plain, but with OO, it tastes great. Less OO doesn't work for me.

With salmon, i add small pickled onions and the pickled vinger or whatever you call it and

The basic idea is to just throw the fish into the microwave and let it take care of itself.

It's much easier for me than cooking on a stovetop.

Then I microwave my veggies.

I almost never use the stove these days ... LOL.

Alexy

Suzanne:

I am a type 2 diabetic who is medication-free as a result of the Zone Diet. I posted my story several years ago and it can be found here:

http://www.zonediet.com/forums/aft/34354

By following the Zone, I avoided taking medication for high blood sugar, meds for high triglycerides and meds for cholesterol. I was briefly on meds
for hypertension, but following the Zone, I was able to ditch those after a few months and some work with some forum members determining how
much fish oil I should take.

I agree with members here regarding how doctors view the Zone. General practitioners think all diets are fads and don't even look at the research.
If you husband is Type II Diabetic, the first thing you should do is stop seeing ONLY a general practitioner, but instead see a endocrinologist. They
specialize in folks with diabetes. If you can find one who will actually look at the diet, I will be shocked. But that should not dissuade you from
continuing to follow the diet. It works. Period.

Following the recommendation of most doctors to take in a little more exercise and eat low fat diet (high in carbs) will only make things worse.
And eventually the meds will cause damage to his body. Stick with the Zone. I'm living proof that it works.

Matt

Sarah/Alexy;
.
I know its convenient, and I will probably still continue to use it; however,
I just saw an interesting report on the use of microwave ovens.
.
It was an iHealth video. Wherein the Dr. suggests you try an experiment,
which visually demonstrates what microwaves do to food.
Take two identical plants in two different flower pots.
Feed both only water. But one of them only use microwaved water.
He guarantees that in a few days the microwaved water fed plant will be dead!
Demonstrating how microwave ovens destroy all nutrition in foods.
.
I, probably will not stop using ours, completely; but, I will think carefully before using.
He even suggests it would be had to tell folks to stop using,
and reasonably states to use only in emergency or really, really short for time.
But realize that you are probably sacrificing your nutrition in doing so.

Yikes and double yikes and triple yikes.

I had no idea.

Not good news for me as I basically throw everything in the microwave, because, I'll be honest, if I do the same on the stovetop, it often get burned ...

Hmm. You know. I DO have a plant here that I can water with microwaved water and see what happens.

Who is the doctor? Or ... ?

Alexy

iHealthTube: http://www.ihealthtube.com/aspx/vie...775e7e40b9

ok ... I can't hear the doctor, I'm deaf, but, I'll check out background info ...

thanks.

I don't necessarilky agree with him, but, it's important to stay open to all kinds of info I think ...

Alexy

@ matt-- thank you for your words of encouragement. It is good to hear about someone elses story. I know there is a wealth of info
on this site, as well as the books- but in all honesty, i tried to search diabetes type 2- and not much was coming up-- i guess i haven't
learned how to navigate the site.
I am completely convinced that the zone is the way to go--as my husband left for work and left his prepared meals/snacks at home--
he attempted to stay in the zone while ordering take out all day at work- however, his glucose test spiked a bit--yet another clear
indication that the zone is working!!!

Suzanne, click on DrSears.com in the blue bar at the top of this page and search that site for type 2 diabetes. You'll find numerous pages of hits. Sift through those for the Ask Dr. Sears Q&A's (questions fare by zonediet.com members and answers are by Barry Sears). Here's one of many I just found with that search:

http://drsears.com/tabId/399/itemId...h-Oil.aspx

Something smells very fishy to me about this microwave oven story. When you microwave foods (or water) what you are doing is subjecting what's in the over to electromagnetic radiation (like radio waves, visible light, etc) at a frequency that causes water molecules to vibrate. When they vibrate, the heat up. That's it. Now, it's certainly possible that there are other molecules in our food that will also vibrate at the same frequency, and it's possible that those molecules could even be damaged as a result. But the water molecules are not damaged. And so, using microwaved water to water a plant should have no impact. The water doesn't hold any nutrition - it's just water. Drinking water does have gasses dissolved in it as well as fluoride and traces of chlorine. Often green thumbers will let tap water sit before watering a plant with it to allow the dissolved gases and chlorine to escape. It seems far more likely to me that there is something else in play here, like watering with water that is warm or hot from the microwave. That could definitely make certain plants unhappy. I would not read too terribly much into this microwave situation without further information and a better study.

@ sue-- thank you! it worked, i have most of the books that were used as references. they were quite helpful, i was
just wondering if any new information was available--any further studies in 2012?
again, let me state that i am a firm believer that the zone is helping my husband (and me).

Suzanne, I don't know the answer to your question about new studies in 2012. You could always call Zone Labs and ask.

just thought i'd give an update on my husbands condition-- i've been preparing
zone friendly meals and snacks almost daily, and my husband has been trying his best to
adhere to the plan. he has had his difficulties as we went away to the maryland shore for
labor day weekend-- and boy was that difficult to stay in the zone-- EVERYTHING there is
either fried or in a cream based sauce.. we ate a lot of steamed seafood (and our pockets paid the
price) but it was worth the extra bucks for our health. veggies were non existent-again everything
was a potatoe or fried. and all the salads were smothered in ceasar dressing... but i had brought a lot
of fresh fruit to snack on.
in any case, his blood levels have been good-- mostly below 100- he's still taking his meds- but has a doctors appointment
this month- and we are hoping that the md gives him permission to stop his meds, to see if he can be maintained
on a healthy diet.

That's very good news, Suzanne. Thanks for the update. The longer he eats Zone balanced meals the more it will become second nature, even when trying to finding the good things to eat in the least likely places when you're on vacation. Sounds like he's doing a good job. Good luck to him for the upcoming doctor's appointment.

Great news! Hang in there, it is all worth it! (and I would rather eat the steamed seafood than the fried stuff, anyway)

@cranberry- i couldn't agree with you more- now that we have been in the zone-- fried foods aren't as appetizing.

i have 3 children- all boys (ages 10,8,6), and they have also been eating in the zone--but one day during the summer after a
day at the beach, they begged me for mc donalds-- i relented and bought them the meals of their choice-- funny enough
each one of them complained their was something wrong with the food- they each explained that it had this weird slimy
taste---HAHAHA!!! i explained to them, the difference between healthy burgers and chicken and unhealthy, they all
agreed- mcdonalds is unhealthy--and to this date (so far) have not wanted to return to the establishment.
it's amazing, how after just a few weeks of eating healthier, we can taste the difference.

i'm glad they are learning for themselves the difference in their eating habits at such a tender age.

That's wonderful that your children are learning to eat healthy and starting to understand and make those choices on their own!
Good for you!!!

Funny how things go! My kids tend to "complain" about the healthy meals that I serve them, until something happens and I get slack. Then all I hear is "is mom ok? What happened to all that healthy food?"

Suzanne,

Here's one of my recent stories that you might find helpful. http://www.zonediet.com/0/zonediet/...enting-101

Our daughter (21 last week and now mostly moved out, last of 4) used to complain, a little, about our healthy food, sometimes.
BUT, there are a few things now she won't eat or must have that are healthy.
One comes to mind is Organic milk, she will not drink anything else but organic, now.
And when we first went to 2% years ago, she fussed, now she will not drink anything else.
Although we get raw milk when we can.

Great article Sue, love it! :-)

Thanks, Sarah.

As you probably know heredity, plays a big roll.

For diet, whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and poultry, Stay away from the white stuff, white bread, potato's, sugar, white rice etc. Eat as little processed food as possible . All carbs are not created equal a white potato and a sweet potato have the same carbs but metabolize differently, check out the Glycemic Index on foods it will give you more info. Exercise, weight is a big part of it also. If it runs in your family, I don't know if you can prevent it, but maybe you can delay it. The closer to nature the food is the better. Read labels and don't go by net carbs unless your on Adkins. STAY AWAYYOUR HUSBAND FROM JUNK FOOD! I hope this helps.

One of the great things about following the Zone is that the basic amounts and the best carbohydrate foods to eat are already figured out for you. At the most, all a person might need to do is adjust amounts a little bit to fine-tune for their best hormonal response.

@ testicy--diabetes does NOT run in my husbands family. there are a few factors that could have contributed to his
illness. a few years ago, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer (a rare/fast growing kind), he received toxic cocktail
of chemo for several weeks. he has since been "healthy". we have been told that the chemo could have played a part
in weakening his organs. my husband (mark) also has obesity (over 100 lbs overweight) family history, which could
also have played a roll. and finally, marks favorite foods to eat were snacks, breads, fast food and fried foods.
so combining all of these, is most likely the culprit. but that is debateable.

since being diagnosed, i've prepared all his meals and snacks. when i put together each meal/snack with the correct
P,F,C his blood sugar usually tests below 100.
for the days, that i prepare the foods but don't put them together (mark grabs what he thinks is ok-keep in mind he
won't read any of the books), his blood sugars are elevated. although no where near his original number of 415.

Suzanne, if your husband was taking any steroids during his treatment, that might have played a role, as well.

Great job on managing his meals! I always have said that the true testimony of the effects of the Zone Diet is when a diabetic can control blood sugar by following it. In people without diabetes, there is so much subjective information to follow, but with diabetes, you have an objective measure.

Keep up the good work!

yes cat, he did receive steriods as part of his treatments.
but, again.. everything is agrumentative....depending on what study you read or which md you speak to..

but like you said... the proof is in his numbers...he is doing well. and doing his best...

Glad to hear!

Hypoglycemia has a connection, loosely, with diabetes (blood sugar) and most of the internet sites recommend a diet nearly identical to The Zone Diet for hypoglycemia...which I have had since age 20 or so. Many top US health agencies are slowly beginning to think Sears is correct in my areas. Have the whole family slowly eat your way, at least at home. AT least breakfast and dinner can be balanced in Zone proportions.

I re-read a book last night from 1988 from a mostly vegetarian publishing group who agreed with Sears on arachidonic acid. Many groups agree with many of his findings, because other scientists back up his concepts.

After the last few months, i have been mainly focusing on my husbands health..
although i have been following the zone guidelines, i haven't taken the time to check out my own health.
last week, i decided to get my bloodwork done. today was result day--

now in the past my chl was between 230's-258 (no meds given/taken)

but now it was 179
thyroid was great
hemoglobin great
sugar- 92
vitamin d- a tad low ( no surprise-- i wear sunblock religiously, with hats and coverups and rarely am in direct sunlight,
due to history of skin issues

i am so happy my chl is down!!!

and btw-- have i mentioned i am down 25 pounds!!!!

woo hooo!!!!!!

BIG congrats!