Webchat with Dr Michael Mosley about preventing and reversing Type 2 Diabetes, Tuesday 26 January, midday to 1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Dr Michael Mosley is returning to Mumsnet on Tuesday (26 January) between midday and 1pm. This time he will be on hand to answer questions about his latest book The 8 week blood sugar diet which reveals a game-changing approach to one of the greatest silent epidemics of our time - raised blood sugar levels.

Mosley’s book explains that because of the high sugar/carb diet we eat today, more than a third of adults in the UK now have raised blood sugar levels and most don’t know it. This is not only making us fat, but also putting us at risk of type 2 diabetes, strokes, dementia and cancer. His book shows how to shed the dangerous abdominal fat fast, reprogramme the body and prevent and actually reverse type 2 diabetes. The book has been described as “a potentially a life-changing book for people with raised blood sugar levels as well as those with type 2 diabetes" by Dr Tim Spector, Professor of Genetics at King's College, London. A former diabetic, Carlos says: "The diet cleaned out my liver and pancreas. It's not so easy for me to gain weight any more. It's as though my body is working metabolically like a young man's again, and I like the person I see in the mirror now."

Interested? Come and chat to Dr Mosley at midday on Tuesday and if you’re unable to join the live webchat, post a question in advance to this thread.

Does the book address the psychological aspects of making diet and lifestyle changes? I'm pretty sure I'll be in the third of people, and know what I should/ shouldn't eat, but find it very difficult to make changes!

I am interested in the book because I am obese and Type 2 Diabetes runs in my family. The thought of getting it scares me but I find losing weight hard. I am severely agoraphobic and have IBS, just to make things more difficult. This means I can't snack on fruit, eat wholegrains or eat large portions of veg/salad/pulses. I can eat small portions of them, but not loads.

When I attempt to diet, and I don't mean do anything silly, I mean smaller portions and cutting out snacking/grazing, I end up getting the shakes, which not only makes me feel horrible but also makes me feel really anxious which scares me and puts me off trying again.

Is there a reason I get the shakes and is there anything you can suggest to help? Thank you!

My dad is morbidly obese, has type 2 diabetes, has cellulitis in his legs which has caused weeping sores, and he eats cake all the time. I mean proper bingeing on cakes. When i spoke to him about this, he snarled at me: "my doctor told me i can have sugar in moderation!"

Is my dad talking complete and utter bollocks?

Is this diet possible for vegetarians? I do eat dairy. I too eat for comfort, and it's so hard to stop this, even though I really need to health wise - I strongly suspect I am at the very least pre diabetic.

I'm finding the very hard to believe. I need to check it out.

I am a type 1 pump user, under Kings college hospital. My husband has type 2. I'm interested to read what is included in this advice that is new?

No real question but a heartfelt thank you! Been on 5:2 for a while, started the BSD on 5/1 and am 13lb down.

Also, although my control was good at around 7 constantly, I am now seeing readings of around 5 which is very much better. (T2)

DH has lost 2 1/2 stone on 5:2 since August.

My plan is to do as long as possible on 800pd and then switch back to low carb with as many fast days as I can/need to keep it going.

Thanks Mumsnet HQ !

For those who haven't read the book:

It uses research by Prof Taylor at Newcastle Uni that basically says T2 is caused by too much fat within liver and pancreas, which prevents normal insulin metabolism.

Both defects are reversible by substantial weight loss via a major reduction in food intake, 8 weeks on daily 800 cals.
Initial trials v successful and many more individuals have succeeded.
Extensive longterm trials ongoing which are funded by Diabetes UK, who awarded Taylor their Banting Lectureship.

Mosely's Book: converts the original diet of shakes & veg to a real food diet, with approval of Taylor:

Low Carb Mediteranean Diet.
. 8 weeks on daily 800 cals total
. 3 meals, no snacks, no starchy veg, grains or added sugar. No booze.
. Lots of non-starchy vegetables, oily fish, eggs, lentils, beans, peas, nuts, olive oil.
. Yoghurt, cheese, up to 1-2 portions low sugar fruit (not juice)

myrosie You should be fine, just boost the beans and lentils to replace fish
I hope Dr Mosely will suggest plans for vegetarians & vegans

Dolally No grains or snacks on the 8-week diet.
If fruit is a problem, you could just replace it with veg.
The diet says maximum 2 portion fruit daily, but no minimum.

Jane Your dad isn't having sugar in "moderation;" he's bingeing on it and probably worsening his health. Yes, bollocks from him.
Sounds like his doctors gave him the standard high carb diet advice, which doesn't seem to actually help T2.

What about those of us who are a healthy weight, very active and eat 80% healthy, natural food? Can we get away with eating more sugary treats? I am tall and active and find it hard to put on weight.But I love chocolate and baking and love some choc, biscuits crisps most evenings. Am I putting myself at risk with these regular treats or will my otherwise healthy lifestyle offset it?

celandine Exercise is v protective, but no guarantee of what is going on inside.

From Taylor's research and Mosely's book, it seems to depend on the individual:

Individuals have different levels of tolerance of fat within liver and pancreas.
Some people accumulate fat in the liver and pancreas, despite theoretically having a "healthy" BMI.
Some can tolerate a BMI of 40+, whereas others - especially of S. Asian origin - cannot tolerate a BMI of 22+ and need to aim around 19.

When a person has more fat than their personal fat threshold, then T2 develops.
After they lose weight and go below this threshold, T2 will disappear.

You sound pretty moderate though, not like the terrible Choc Frenzy habit that 5:2 helped me break.

I'll be at work so just marking my place

This is a quote from the research paper on which your book is based:
It is now clear that Type 2 diabetes is a simple condition of fat excess to which some people are more susceptible than others.
Is the research on which your book is based been passed to GP's?

Oooh, I am very interested

Dr Mosley, do you think dietary advice in general, but in particular for weight loss and diabetes management, will change dramatically in the near future, moving away from a 'low fat' approach towards a more 'high protein/low carb/healthy fats/intermittent fasting' one?

Do you think that the pressure on lowering cholesterol since 1983/4 has led to the obesity crisis as (animal) fat was replaced by carbohydrate, in particular sugar?

antimatter, there is multitude of research on just this matter and this GP is well aware - whether the powers that be are, is another matter...

Pretty damning

Obesity epidemic in the US since early 80s - which coincides with Framingham, doesn't it?

Summary of evidence for those who are interested - I am sorry it's all from the same site, and I am not affiliated to them in any way. It's just a handy way to have all the info in one place for me.

Dietary advice is still very poor, very worrying for diabetics to still be told about the godawful standard plate loaded with carbs. I have an Aunt who slavishly follows advice from her GP including porridge for breakfast and plenty of fruit.... She is now injecting insulin (T2) and is on a slippery slope to disaster.

When I was diagnosed a few years ago I was shown the plate, and a patronising book with measured plate sizes advising how much cereal I should have for breakfast. I ignored it completely and went low carb and radically improved results.
My HCP is aware that I do not follow the standard advice, but there is no concept of asking what I do to see if it might help others, they just keeping peddling the garbage. I find it worrying!

GP's may be but nurses who advise on diabetes are following NHS guidelines as few posters stared!

Place marking

I had gestational diabetes. I am keen to keep up what I've learnt about diet etc but since baby has being born I'm finding it hard to stick to the diet I was on due to the need for quick eeting/other people preparing meals. I know my risk is greater now.

1. I've been advised to BF for 1 year if I can as evidence says Breast feeding between 6-12 months is the golden time. This is whay I was told in hospital - what evidence supports this?

1. I'm having another GTT test soon and a repeat one in a year. If I eat my healthy diet ad I was doing would this alter the results dramatically than if I ate a diet which included more carbs? I want to be healthy but if somethings going on I also want it detecting.

1. How do I encore family to adopt healthy ways.
2. Is your book accessible and an easy read? Where can I buy it?

Marking spot

I want to know the thoughts on high fructose corn sugar ?

The book warns against fructose (fruit sugar) as a sweetener and also HFCS because of liver damage.
HFCS is v common in the US, to use their cheap corn, but far less common in the UK - our problem here is the huge consumption of basic added sugar.

The book also recommends no more than 2 portions of fruit per day and states 3 or more is a risk factor for T3.

Does Dr Mosely think the common advice to snack on unlimited fruit should be changed ?

I have impaired glucose tolerance, am a bit overweight but not vastly so (size 14-16) although am very apple-shaped which I know isn't good. Obviously I don't want to develop diabetes. I am vegetarian and I probably do eat more carbs than I need to. With willpower I can reduce fat/sugar intake but I need guidance on how to reduce carbs and not be starving. Does the book have advice for vegetarians? I'm also a very busy and stressed teacher with kids so I don't have time to prepare complicated meals. Is it simple to follow?

Biscuits The book is mainly about a once only 8-week 800-cal daily low carb diet for those facing T2.

The longterm maintenance is probably more relevant for most other people and is v simple low carb Med, no need to follow recipes.

I think the main difference to all the other low carb diets is that Dr Mosely (and Prof Taylor) recommend beans, lentils & legumes - these are great for insulin management and for feeling full.
These seem to replace the main starchy carbs, which are treated as an occasional garnish or side dish
No need to restrict fat particularly - he allows Greek yoghurt, cheese and recommends olive oil