Atkins Diabetes Revolution : The Groundbreaking Approach to Preventing and Controlling Diabetes

Rating:
Summary: FINALLY SOME CREDIBLE HELP FOR DIABETICS
Review: As someone with Type 2 Diabetes, I have lots of experience with diet claims. This book nails down the reasons they have all failed - they were carb based. Counter-intuitive in many ways, this book patiently explains how the carbs get processed into fat and why low fat diets fail time after time.My knowledge of the Atkins approach was based on the often exaggerated claims made by both its supporters and detractors. When this book appeared, I decided to make my own analysis.I was thrilled to discover that this is not a diet book, but rather a guide to the Atkins Blood Sugar Control Program (ABSCP for short). With weight loss can come reduced dependency on drugs, less risk of complications, and a healthier, happier life.The book itself is divided into several sections. The core is a very well researched and documented 330 page overview of the state of diabetes research and how it applies to diabetics and those at risk for diabetes.There are 70 pages of meal plans, 37 pages of recipes (and a weblink for more), plus appendices on research documentation, induction foods, and various other helps to the reader.Because of the care with which this volume was put together, I found that many of the things I had been hearing about Atkins were just plain wrong. Authors Vernon and Eberstein are very clear that 4 ounces of cheese a day are the max; that eating foods with trans fatty acids is bad; and that the ABSCP is not an excuse to have a half dozen pork chops in one sitting. The allowed foods are also pretty tolerable for the fussy among us. I was able to put together meal plans that are easy to prepare and tasty. This is a good and helpful book, and I only wish I had been able to get as much knowledge about how diabetes works from the doctors who have treated me. Even the famed Joslin clinic never explained that my soaring trigycerides were the result of eating too many carbs on a low fat diet. Caveat emptor.

Rating:
Summary: Atkins' colleagues carry on his work
Review: I am still in the process of plowing through this book. Some may find that there is not much new in it. I think it's a great resource for the Atkins way of life in general.

I am a newly-diagnosed type II diabetic. There is far more information in this book than I was able to get from the doctor who diagnosed me. As a matter of fact, that doctor originally suggested that I go on *Slim-Fast* to lose weight--I about fell off my chair. Most doctors are still mired in the anti-fat, anti-cholesterol hysteria and myths. The Atkins approach is a breath of fresh air, since it dispels these myths.

So far, from what I have read, I would recommend this book in combination with Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution (which seems to offer more practical day-to-day advice regarding the details of managing diabetes) as your standard diabetes references.

Unfortunately, few doctors out there are managing diabetes with the low-carbohydrate approach. The guy who diagnosed me immediately wanted to put me on four or five medications, and he actually vowed to talk me into taking a statin drug, even though he acknowledged that that would only mask the symptoms and not get to the underlying cause.

Some people may not like eating low-carb, particularly with its heavy emphasis on animal protein foods. However, for those like me, who like being carnivorous or omnivorous, you may like being vindicated in your liking to eat meat.



Rating:
Summary: Avoiding diabetes
Review: Rebeccasreads highly recommends ATKINS DIABETES REVOLUTION for everyone who is a bit overweight & for their children who seem to be following in their footsteps.

If you're new to the Atkins way of life, then this huge, reader-friendly manual will introduce you to another way of looking at that aphorism: You Are What You Eat.

It is packed with a ton of information about lifestyles, scientific case studies, health programs & success stories as well as recipes & eating plans -- the rest is up to you.

ATKINS DIABETES REVOLUTION is for getting the best out of the rest of your life!

Rating:
Summary: Too many problems; doesn't deliver what's promised
Review: The first set that I got from Amazon had major production problems with the third CD and it couldn't be played. Amazon replaced the set and the replacement set didn't have problems -- they could all play. My complaint is not with Amazon.

On a more serious basis, the audio cds refer to things that are not in place. They refer to a hard-copy list of high glycemic fruits and vegetables that was supposed to be included. This hard-copy list was not included with either set that I received (in case they just screwed up on one). Even more interesting, in the audio it refers to the fact that additional information is supposed to be available through the Atkins web site, lists an address (http://www.atkins.com/agr) -- and that's not a valid page. You get the dreaded error message 404 page.

I sent email to the Atkins' site and got no response. This could be solved by adding the page mentioned in the cds -- and adding the information that's supposed to be included on a card.

Right now, some of the key information that you need to make this diet work is not available. You would still need to go buy the book to get that information.

I am a fan of the Atkins diet and had hoped that this cd set would be helpful for a friend with diabetes. It is not.

I would not recommend this cd set. If you care about the information, then buy the book.

It is my understanding that this cd was produced by a different company than the people who produced their other CD set. I'm sorry they didn't do a better quality control.



Rating:
Summary: Not Up to Dr. Atkins Standards
Review: This book had phenominal potential.

However, it fails to live up to that potential. Maybe that's because Dr. Atkins wasn't able to finish the book himself, due to his untimely death in April 2003.

Dr. Atkins had remarakable success treating patients with blood sugar disorders (espeically type II adult-onset) and related complications, such as coronary heart disease.

"Atkins Diabetes Revolution" does a great job explaining what diabetes is, what the primary causes & complications are, and how to utilize proper diet (i.e. the right balance of protein & fats, as well as significant reduction of hightly refined carbohydrates).

However, there are two areas where the book fails to deliver the maximum potential benefits to its readers:

1) The types of dietary fats & cooking oils to use

2) The sections that discuss the use of nutritional supplements for controlling blood sugar & heart disease risk factors.

The section on fats is much too short, and leaves out essential information on both the pros & cons of the different classes of fats (polyunsaturated, mononunsaturated, saturated, Essential Fatty Acids). Considering how vital consuming the right types of fats are to controlling diabetes & heart disease (among many other conditions), I find the lack of vital information on the good and bad fats rather disturbing. A book written by Dr. Atkins former collegue - Dr. Fred Pescatore - (see "The Hamptons Diet") does a much better job of explaining the pros and cons of the different oils / fats.

The section regarding nutritional supplements for preventing / controlling diabetes & heart disease is poorly done. It leaves out too many important facts about vital nutrients such as vitamins C and E, completely leaves out the trace mineral vandium, which is just as important as chromium for helping the cells utilize glucose, and doesn't discuss any of the herbs
(i.e. gymnema sylvestre, fenugreek, cinnamon and bitter melon) that significantly enhance the effectiveness of the essential nutrients in their ability to control & reverse many of the complications associated with type II diabetes. All the co-authors had to do was refer to Dr. Atkins earlier works (Dr. Atkins' Vita-Nutrient Solution, and Dr. Atkins' Age Defying Diet) to get the information necessary to make the nutritional supplement sections as helpful as possible.

For more detailed information on how to use nutritional supplements for diabetes-related complications, I highly recommend you read "Reversing Diabetes" by Julian Whitaker, M.D.

I honestly believe that had Dr. Atkins not died, he would have done a much better job with this important book, rather than having to leave it up to the two co-authors who finished the project.

This book had so much potential. I waited for its publication for nearly a year. When it finally came out, I was greatly dissapointed with it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: This is an excellent book as always by the Atkins foundation. It motivates you to start watching your blood-sugar levels and lose the weight. This book was very helpful in understanding the current diabetes epidemic we are facing. I enjoyed this book as much as I enjoy my new beverage of choice. Made from 100% organic soy, taste just like coffee and no caffeine. Finally, I got rid of that wired up feeling all day and feeling great. Look for it on the net by googling "s o yfee".