Rating: 
Summary: Not for the scientifically inclined....
Review: A good book for the newly diagnosed t1 diabetic full of practical advice on dealing with the day in day out drudgery of keeping diabetes in check. Also filled with lots of interesting stories and observations from Dick Bernsteins many years of living with diabetes himself. However some of his advice is questionable at best and poor at worst. Among those are:
Extreme diet advice that forbids the consumption of whole fresh fruits, nuts, grains and even tomatoes; enthusiasm in prescribing troglitazone for t2 (which was recalled by the FDA); Anerobic over aerobic exercise; His explanations for the causes of complications( such as nepropathy and neuropathy) in the addenum at the back of the book have since been disproven since the 1997 edition.
But barring that it does have alot of good practical info and his own life story is really a compelling drama in itself. If your are managing alright with your diabetes i would not reccomend this book you could use the money to pay for related supplies for this expensive $disease$. If your diabetes isnt under control or you are new to diabetes or your doctor is a total [...], this book may help you out, but keep a critical thought process while reading because everything written isn't necessary valid...
Rating: 
Summary: It Makes Sense and It Works!
Review: I am a 58-year-old teacher, who was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes in March of this year. My mother had heart disease and diabetes, my father, high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries. I was involved in a national, 4-year Trials of Hypertension study, in a group that was to lose weight by following a low-fat diet. I religiously followed one and increased my exercise to close to an hour a day. I even became a vegetarian. I didn't mind, because I have always loved bread and high-carb foods and cutting the fat wasn't much of a sacrifice. I did need to eat fairly often and I would be frantically hungry if I had to go without a snack. However, my blood pressure crept up until I had to go on a beta blocker. Although I had lost about 30 lbs. over a two year period, I gained every last bit, plus about 15 more. Then I got the diagnoses I knew was coming. So, I went to the internet and started researching diabetes, found Dr. Bernstein's page, read the chapters on the web, ordered the book, got a glucometer and set out using his diet. Immediately, my blood sugar normalized. I never get hungry between meals and my extreme craving for bread and sweets has gone away. I've lost about 15 pounds in 5 or 6 weeks and my energy level has increased 10-fold. I look at bread and cake now and think, "Rat poison." That helps, and also, giving up the carbs is a lot easier than giving up my eyesight or my feet.Plus, I called Dr. Bernstein's office for info on the glucometer and got good advice. I called to see about making an appointment and HE ANSWERED THE PHONE. I'm impressed.
Rating: 
Summary: Dangerous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: This book offers alot of important details about complications, insulin types, hypoglycemia,etc. However, he offers a very heart-unhealthy (something a diabetic does not need) and dangerous approach to handling diabetes. As a type 1 diabetic of 22.5 years, I have hemoglobin results in the 4.9-5.1 range through exercising (aerobic and anaerobic), frequent testing and a low-fat, high fibre diet. I consume 170g carbohydrates a day, and have a regular dessert every Saturday night. I just make sure that I exercise more, test more, and take extra insulin on that one day. Carbohydrates offer very valuable nutrients that cannot be found in protiens and fats, therefore, they should not be so severely restricted in this "Atkins-style" manner!Diabetic or not, everyone should consume a well balanced diet comprised of all three macronutrients. I think that his approach would be difficult for 90% of people because we instinctively crave certain types of carbohydrates. It does not cater to vegetarians at all, like myself! He also does not talk too much from a female diabetic's perspective-it is well known that diabetes is more difficult to control in such people becuse of monthly hormonal fluctuations. He also does not talk about blood sugar problems associated with hypothyroidism, even though it is more commonly found in type 1 diabetics. Also, we only have his word to go on-we do not know any of his patients or the long term results associated with such an unhealthy and unappetizing diet! Please note, that I do not have any complications associated with my diabetes, despite the fact that I have not followed his plan!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: This book saved my husband's life!!!
Review: My husband was a somewhat overweight insulin-dependent diabetic for many, many years. Even with twice-daily insulin shots, he often had blood sugar numbers over 200. Then, by pure good fortune, he happened to meet the ghost writer of this book and discussed the biology of diabetes with him in great detail. Since beginning this very rigorous plan almost two years ago, he has completely stopped taking insulin! Recent blood and urine work-ups for a physical exam showed no signs of diabetes at all! His diabetes had gotten so bad that his feet still give him a lot of trouble, but, given time, even that is expected to improve. Bruce hates this diet--but, because he believes he'd be a blind amputee without it--or even a dead man by now--he loves it and follows it to the letter. His doctors are now also converts and have purchased their own copies of this book. Don't listen to the ADA; they say diabetics can eat moderate amounts of carbohydrates, but that is just plain wrong. Dr. Bernstein makes his logic crystal clear, and my husband is proof that he's right!
Rating:
Summary: Good information from a dedicated individual
Review: I'm a 41 year old male and have recently been diagnosed with pre-diabetes (whatever it is called), with diabetes running in the family, so to get up to speed on the subject I ordered a pile of books (12 of them) off Amazon including this one. I've been through them all and this one I found the best in its explanations of the various aspects of the condition, the various treatments, and many other relevant details. Dr Bernstein was an engineer with type 1 diabetes and became a doctor to be able to help others with his experiences and findings; he conveys intimate and detailed knowledge about the condition and all its aspects, and generally impresses with the information he provides. The diet is not exactly appetising plus its very time consuming to have to calculate food details all the time I guess (not having tried it and not hoping to have to try it for awhile), however I will always keep this book in my bookcase "just in case" - if I do get diabetes and complications occur, I will grab this book and give it a shot. Because it is more believable than most of the other stuff out there, for the reason that it comes from someone who found out all of this himself, then became living proof of his own theory. I would buy this book initially for the descriptions of how diabetes works, how the treatments work and what the various dangers are, exercises provided, etc. - it is well worth its cost for this information alone. Secondly, the diet may come in handy in case of complications etc. and if other treatments don't work. And Dr Bernstein does indeed answer the phone himself as another writer also mentioned - I called just before opening hours and sure enough got to talk to the man himself.
Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This is a common sense book. I am a type 1 diabetic and I highly recommend this book. I have read many other books on diabetes and keep up with the research that is done. Dr Bernstein is a also a diabetic, the book is about his quest to live a life without complications. Great low carb diet book.
Rating:
Summary: Practical & effective
Review: I saw Dr. Bernstein speak in 1998 and it completely changed the way I treat people with diabetes. Since that time, I have seen phenomenally better results. Though it is true the book is highly anecdotal, it is always right on in my experience. Dr. Bernstein is an incredibly humble and honorable person as well, a true critical thinker, who questions without belligerence for the truth about diabetes. This book is a must for everyone who treats people with diabetes, and for everyone with diabetes.
Rating: 
Summary: Misleading
Review: Blood sugar is only part of the equation. Following this type of diet causes high acidic levels which causes illness. This diet is nothing new. My grandmother followed this kind of plan back in the late 40's because they thought ALL carbs were bad. Today we know that the brain needs glucose to function. Carbs + high fiber leaves lower net carbs. And diabetics need a balance---in fact all people need a balance of healthy whole foods and exercise and fresh air. One more thing; my grandmother died of a massive heart attack on this kind of plan. She was only in her 50's.
Rating: 
Summary: An Amazing Resource - But a Very Demanding Program
Review: Dr. Richard Bernstein probably knows more about managing diabetes than anyone who has ever lived. He has had Type 1 diabetes since age 12. He is now in his late 60's, still works full-time plus, exercises hours every day, and has more energy than most people of any age, with or without diabetes. At age 35, his body was falling apart due to the ravages of blood sugar. He had signs of kidney disease and eye disease and nerve pain in his legs. Then he discovered how to normalize his blood sugars through the program in this book. Most of his complications eventually disappeared, and he has had no new complications since. His theory (shared by most diabetes experts) is that the complications are due to high blood sugars. But his solution (keeping your blood sugars in the normal range 24 hours a day) is rejected by most doctors, who believe it is too difficult for most people. The three keys to his program are: A very-low carbohydrate diet - This is the most important part and will probably be helpful even without the other parts. Bernstein prescribes NO sugars, grains, fruits, milk, or starchy vegetables (fast-acting carbs.) He does recommend relatively small amounts of green vegetables and other slow-acting carbs, because of their vitamins and other nutrients. This is not an Atkins-style, no-carb diet. Frequent blood sugar monitoring to develop your "blood glucose profile." You need to learn exactly how different foods affect your sugars, and how sugars change overnight and with exercise. By checking his blood sugars after each food he ate, Bernstein discovered how carbs raised his blood sugar faster than his injected insulin could catch up. He has you check your blood sugar many times a day. Frequent dosing with fast-acting insulin or (for Type 2s) an insulin-sensitizing pill, to cover your meals, along with a low dose of long-acting insulin to get you through the night and early morning hours. He recommends insulin even for Type 2's who make some of their own, because he believes the injected insulin will take the pressure off the pancreas and allow it to heal. If this sounds like a difficult program, you haven't heard half of it yet. He also recommends extremely vigorous, anaerobic exercise. He prefers prolonged weight or resistance training to the point of pain, because building muscle mass helps soak up blood sugar and lessens insulin resistance. His program also requires you to counts carbs and proteins and calculate your proper insulin dose before meals. He recommends you have as many as four different kinds of insulin for different occasions. He wants you to floss after every meal to prevent dental infections. And there's a lot more. But is it worth it? In researching my upcoming book, "The Politics of Diabetes," I have interviewed four people who read his book. Two thought it was too hard to try. One stayed with the program for a while and says it helped, but he has slacked off. One woman stuck with it and says it saved her life. Diabetes experts I have queried are skeptical of how much the ultra-low-carb diet helps. They cite conflicting research and the success many patients have even on a balanced diet that includes fair amounts of carbs. There is also no agreement on the need to get blood sugars down to "normal" (less than 95, say.) Many docs think getting sugars down to 120 or even 140 will be sufficient to prevent complications in most people. True, but SOME people will get complications that would not have gotten them if they kept their sugars lower. You have to have some education and a lot of self-confidence to take this on, especially as it may mean educating your doctor as well. There is a steep learning curve, and this program will probably totally take over your life for the first weeks or even months. As you get used to it, it becomes less intrusive, but still much more so than the usual programs your doctor may put you on. It comes down to how important your health is to you, how much time and money you have to devote to your diabetes care, and especially how much support you have. Bernstein is aware of these difficulties. He consistently advises lower-cost alternatives to various medications and equipment, which makes him one of the few docs or self-help writers to recognize that money is a problem for many of us. But the book is a demanding read - densely packed with valuable information on everything from insulin injection and blood glucose checking techniques to the different kinds of oral diabetes medicines, from what to do when you're vomiting (call your doctor immediately!) to pages of low-carb recipes. The language and style probably work best for people with some college education, although a determined high school graduate could handle it. It also has a number of inspiring testimonials and a good sense of humor. I think that people who are having trouble managing their diabetes might want to try this program, or at least the low-carb diet part of it. If you want to do the whole thing, this book by itself won't be enough. You will need to get the help of a doctor and probably a diabetes educator as well, and having some supportive family wouldn't hurt. If you do try it, I support that decision. I'd like to hear how you do with it.
Rating:
Summary: Very educational
Review: This was a very educational book. There is a lot of material here, but it is well organized, including a number of case studies to keep you motivated. I read extensively after being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and found this book and "The First Year Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed" by Gretchen Becker the two best I found (out of about 15 books). Much of Dr. Bernstein's anecdotal data is being confirmed more and more by recent studies.
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