Advice On Diabetes

nytimes.com/2016/09/21/opin...

To the Editor:

Re “The Old-Fashioned Way to Treat Diabetes,” by Sarah Hallberg and Osama Hamdy (Sunday Review, Sept. 11):

The writers cite a study that recommends a daily intake of 20 grams of carbohydrates, an extremely low-carb intake for anyone. Maintaining such a diet requires excluding major food groups, including fruit, grains and starchy vegetables, and can contribute to nutritional deficiencies.

The American Diabetes Association does not recommend any specific diet for people with diabetes. The best nutrition plan for patients is one that they can realistically achieve, given their life and circumstances. The association’s nutrition therapy goals and recommendations are based on the latest scientific research, and are reviewed and updated every year within our Standards of Care.

The first-line treatment recommendation for Type 2 diabetes is built on a comprehensive medical evaluation to meet the individual needs of each patient. The foundations of care include self-management education, nutrition, counseling, physical activity, psychosocial care and possibly medication.

Diabetes is a complex and lifelong disease that requires personalized care from an integrated team of multiple medical providers, and the care plan will evolve throughout each patient’s lifetime as his or her health changes and additional needs emerge.

The American Diabetes Association recommends metabolic surgery only as an option for some patients who meet specific medical criteria, including patients with severe obesity.

ROBERT E. RATNER

Chief Scientific and Medical Officer

American Diabetes Association

Alexandria, Va.

A version of this letter appears in print on September 21, 2016, on page A26 of the New York edition with the headline: Advice on Diabetes. Today's Paper|Subscribe

[Hidden]

One more win

Anup

[alwaysoptimistic]

"The writers cite a study that recommends a daily intake of 20 grams of carbohydrates, an extremely low-carb intake for anyone.Maintaining such a diet requires excluding major food groups, including fruit, grains and starchy vegetables, and can contribute to nutritional deficiencies."

Eye opening!

[MikePollard]

Good grief!

Just this morning I went round to a old customer who had an emergency plumbing problem He's T2 diabetic, has lost one leg and is about to lose the other. God alone knows whats happening to his organs.

His daughter was there making his breakfast and enquiring if he'd taken his pills. His breakfast?

Toast with marmalade!

And how did he get to his sorry state? - by following the advice above!

[Hidden in reply to MikePollard]

Poor chap

Just following the idiotic guidelines just so that the "GODS" get their "RETIREMENT FUNDS... "