Since its first publication in 1997, DR. BERNSTEIN'S DIABETES SOLUTION has become the treatment of choice in the medical field. In this revised and updated edition of his work, Dr. Bernstein provides an accessible, detailed guide to his revolutionary approach to normalizing blood sugars and thereby preventing or reversing long-term complications of diabetes. He offers the most up-to-date information on new products, medications, and supplements, and outlines a plan to reverse the obesity that underlies most cases of Type II diabetes. Dr. Bernstein discusses breakthrough science and potential cures, and has added information on the new insulins and insulin pumps.

The only book to detail step-by-step methods for normalizing blood sugars in both Type I and Type II diabetes, DR. BERNSTEIN'S DIABETES SOLUTION will enable patients to take charge of their health and live longer, healthier lives.

First off, the foundation of the book is that having "normal blood sugars"
will eliminate 100% of the complications of diabetes. Extrapolating from
the results of the NDDT, Bernstein asserts that diabetics must keep their
blood glucose levels between 80-100mg/dl ALL OF THE TIME.

Specifically, knowing that non-diabetics will very rarely have blood glucose
excursions are outside 80 to 100mg/dl, Bernstein's targets are 85mg/dl for
non-insulin dependent diabetics and 90 mg/dl for insulin dependent
diabetics. To achieve this target, Bernstein recommends a low-carbohydrate
diet combined with insulin-sensitizing and mimetics agents and/or insulin.

The book starts off with the requisite "Bernstein has worked for me"
profiles and has an interesting account of Bernstein's life, including his
early attempts at blood glucose monitoring (he is believed by many to have
invented the concept of using blood glucose testing for diabetic blood
glucose control) and his decision to attend medical school so that he might
be able to get his findings published.

Bernstein believes that sensitizers & mimetics such as metformin, Avandia &
Actos are the best choices for lowing blood glucose because they increase
the body's ability to use insulin without making the pancreas produce extra
insulin. Additionally, aside from the fact that sulfonylureas stimulate
insulin production, Bernstein avoids them because they can cause
hypoglycemia.

Insulin use gets over seventy pages and has what appears to be some
excellent information in calculating dosages for an intensive insulin
regimen that keeps the blood glucose very close to 90mg/dl even after meals.
Bernstein advocates using regular insulin instead of a rapid-acting insulin
such as lispro or aspart before each meal. He reserves rapid-acting insulin
for special situations such as dining-out.

He is not an insulin pump fan and does not believe that pumping gives better
control over a properly executed intensive insulin regime.

Regarding the appropriate blood sugar and HbA1c levels, Bernstein asserts
that values exceeding 75mg/dl on average increases risk of cardiac and all
other causes of death, however, he does not reference the research that
supports this claim.

The book winds up with 40 pages of low-carbohydrate recipes. I have tried
some of the recipes and they were good. It's interesting to me exactly how
very low carb they are. It would be difficult to put together a complete
menu with more than 10g carbs per serving. Quite a contrast to this month's
"Diabetes Forecast" meatloaf dinner with whipped potatoes clocking in at
over 70g carbs per serving!

An appendix does a good job defending a diet higher in protein & fat and
does cite relevant research.

On top of all of this information, Bernstein includes some good information
on how to deal with hypoglycemia, how to receive the proper care in
hospitals and what tools diabetics should have in their kit.

SUMMARY

I found the book to be very interesting and informative. I'm not sure that
I agree with keeping my blood glucose at a flat 80mg/dl, but much of the
information in the book is invaluable. This, along with Gretchen Becker's
"The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes" are the two books I recommend to those
who ask me about diabetes.


480 pages that won't raise your blood sugar!   June 3, 2005
Manny Hernandez (Bay Area, CA)
108 out of 110 found this review helpful

One of the things you learn with Dr. Bernstein's book is that excessive eating (even when you don't overeat carbs, but other food types) leads to high sugars, due to the so-called "Chinese Restaurant Effect". Well, if you were to devour this hefty book (like you will, once you get your hands on it) you will not see your blood sugar rise. If you are a diabetic (type I or II), you will find in Dr. Bernstein's book a wealth of information that will answer the questions you've ALWAYS had, and even those that you didn't know you had, about diabetes and how to keep your blood sugars in control.

His approach is very unconventional (coming from a diabetic childhood, being an engineer first and a doctor later in life). But you will be fascinated with the amount of "Eureka!" moments throughout the book. I was unable to put it down from the moment I picked it up, and I am grateful to him for having taken the time to share so much wisdom from his years as a practitioner and from his many, many years as a diabetic and experimenter. His lessons are not easy to follow, but they are the way for those who want to live a long and healthy life with diabetes.

I leave you with a thought. If you knew what you need to do to prolong your life and live it in a healthy manner, in spite of what you've been told about typical lifespans in diabetics and all the ailments we seem to be bound to suffer later in life, wouldn't you do it? I would. And I hope you do too. So I recommend you take the time to read what Dr. Berstein has to say to you.


This book changed my life   August 25, 2003
41 out of 41 found this review helpful

This book has changed my life. I am a type I diabetic and have been for 15 years. My wife (many thanks to her) found this book for me and since I've read it and started following the diet and exercise (primarily diet) regimen my blood sugars are near normal. Routinely, my blood sugars would elevate over 300 mg/dl after eating carbohydrates, which the America Diabetes Association recommends as 60% of your diet. Subsequent to reading this book, I've cut my carb intake to, as he prescribes, 6 mg in the morning and 12 mg at lunch and at dinner. By doing this I have been able to completely stabalize my blood sugars day and night. With my blood meter I can see what my average blood sugars have been over the past couple of months. Before I started my average was around 240 mg/dl...not too good. But, within 4 weeks of following this diet I was able to drop my average to 174 mg/dl. And, this is still falling toward 100 mg/dl where my blood sugars reside most of the time. I do crave carbs sometimes but the benefits definitely outweigh the short term cravings. Where I thought I was destined to die an early and not so happy death from complications with diabetes, I now am lifted by the hope and knowledge that I can live well into my 90's by following this simple plan. Thank you Dr. Bernstein, I owe you my life.


This book is a solution!   July 14, 2005
Dennis Delaurier (Round Rock, Tx United States)
37 out of 37 found this review helpful

I am a type II diabetic, and things were going down hill. My feet were starting to hurt, and my eyes were giving me problems. I had gained almost 50 pounds, and nothing seemed to be able to stop this slow trip to a death I did not want to think about. I was maxed out on meds, and my doctor's next step was "just a little insulin". There was no way I was going to let that happen, but what could I do with blood sugars bouncing around with highs of 250 or more and my fasting blood sugars that were in the high 180's? Thanks be to God for creating Dr. Bernstein. After three weeks of using the 6,12,12 carb diet, my blood sugars are now down in the 80's. They stay there even after I eat, which is the real blessing, as there is no spiking of blood sugars. Not only has that happened, but I am loosing weight. I no longer have gas and chest pains that are caused from gas. If you are a type I or II, this is really a Diabetes Solution. As I see it, its a painful death, or a rich healthy life. Guess which one I picked?
Cheers
Dennis DeLaurier
Round Rock Texas


Practical & effective   April 11, 2004
Eric L., Yarnell (Seattle, WA, USA)
65 out of 69 found this review helpful

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.