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.

I am T2 (diagnosed in 2004). I have in the past controlled it well with metformin and low carbing however in the last two years I have been pretty horrific at looking after myself. I started the BSD yesterday as I hope the 8 weeks will be the start I need to get back on track. Realistically how likely is it to reverse the T2 diagnosis, or is it more that if once on the maintenance part of it, and having stuck with it, that it will control itself better?

Can I just ask.....
What is your favourite biccy?

@VitaSackvileVest

I've recently been told I'm pre-diabetic, and although my BMI is in the healthy range, my body-fat is 36 which is too high. I've just down-loaded your book.

q1. Due to the increasing rise of type 2 diabetes, do you think that more attention should be paid to body-fat rather than BMI?

q2. Do you think the use of high fructose corn syrup should banned?

Yes i do think body fat is more important and most important of all is where it is laid down. A tape measure is best. If your tummy is more than 36 inches (measured round the belly button) then you are at significantly greater risk

High fructose corn syrup is much less used here in the UK and I'm sure it will be phased out because of appalling press. But it is only the tip of a particularly large, sugary mountain. I am joining Jamie Olive and a bunch of other people to talk about Food and Health for something called Food Fight at the Royal Geographical Society on 4th Feb. Google 5x15. Tickets still available

Sorry, that should have read Jamie Oliver

@KeyserSophie

So this book advocates 64 days of 800 cals per day (I think, based on Big Choc's summary).

Isn't the elephant in the room therefore that compliance is likely to be extremely low (like probably 1%) outside controlled trials? I have no doubt that pretty much all diets - low fat, high fat, fast, 6 meals a day, work, IF you stick to them, but that's the problem isn't it? People don't/can't stick to them in the environment that we live in. So this is really just another way for people to fail and diet book writers to get rich- no offence!

Taylor did a study where he just provided general advice to 72 people who contacted him. Compliance was really high and most reversed their diabetes. It can be done without expert help, but you should have your GPs buy in, also do try and buddy up with someone. I have a website, thebloodsugardiet.com where we are trying to help people get together

Doing it with someone else, who you can turn to in times of stress, has got to be easier than trying to do it on your own

@spababe

Is there going to be a recipe book to go with the Blood Sugar Diet book. I know there are 4 weeks of recipes in the book but I don't eat meat so I'd like some more choices (especially dinner) - Thanks - I have found the book great so far although I do have some very hungry moments

I've talked to the publishers, Short Books, and they are looking into this. There are plenty of great recipes in the book but i do agree, it is nice to have more, particularly for vegetarians. A friend of mine, a GP, cooks gorgeous low carb Med style vegetarian food. Maybe i should rope him in

@Wheresthattomoibabber

I had pancreatitis due to an allergy to codeine a couple of years ago. I still feel my pancreas is not entirely right - especially when I am eating too much sugar (feels tender etc). Would this diet help my pancreas repair? And can you just tell me that I can succeed at losing weight? 5'3" and 15 stone apple...

If you have had pancreatitis I would go gently. Do discuss this with your GP. I think a low carb Med style diet might suit you and though weight loss would be slower you should get better blood sugar control

@BigChocFrenzy

Shorty I'd suggest a small handful of nuts rather than toast.

Completely right. Toast will just bang up your blood sugars. The evidence that nuts are good for you is strong.

I don't agree it is hard to follow for those saying so above. Once you break your sugar habit as I did you lose that urge and most of us don't want to binge on celery or even steak.

IU regard what I call ODDD (obesity, diabetes, depression and dementia) all of which have a sugar link as some of the worst ills of our age. People have stopped knowing what being hungry is. We could start by not having any snack machines at stations or in schools and ensure all NHS premises food is healthy eg only serve water to drink. Some of these things are very cheap eg if you only eat one or two mneals a day and no snacks and only drink water you save money so really anyone could do it and if the risk of not is you might lose your sight or a leg through diabetes we really need to hammer that message home.

Anyway no specific question - just a big supporter. Reddit keto is a good information source too.

I am also a big fan of real food. If it has ingredients on the side of it don't eat it.

Good idea about the med style (& veggie friendly) recipe book to tie in with this book!

Hi

I would love to know if doing this diet is compatible with going through IVF? Thanks

@sylwright

My husband is T2 and since being prescribed Metformin he craves sweet things which he never ate previously. I would be grateful for any advice about any alternatives to this.

I have just been told I am pre-diabetic so need to change my diet. I've only just found out about this book, I watch everything that Michael Mosley presents and will be getting the book asap. Hopefully if I follow the advice in the book I won't become diabetic and my husbands will be more controlled.

I also have a terrible sweet tooth. I keep all sweet things out of the house, or ask my wife (who is a GP) to hide them. I use stevia as a sugar substitute when I'm desperate. Sugar is horribly addictive and a hard one to crack. There are a few sweet treats amongst our recipes, but as low carb as we could make them

@RamblingAsparagus

Hi

I would love to know if doing this diet is compatible with going through IVF? Thanks

If you are significantly overweight then doing it before going on IVF would be a good idea. A friend of mine did that with the 5:2 diet and after losing 10lbs became pregnant after years of trying. IVF is tough and I don't think you want to be on a low calorie diet at the same time as you are trying to get pregnant. Lose some weight (if you need to), get your blood sugars under control, go on the healthy low carb Med style diet

As well as recipes the book includes a guide, which i call the M plan, which will show you the easiest ways to Mediterraneanise your diet

I've got chronic pancreatitis, a recoverably damaged liver, two stomach ulcers and was, until this Christmas, a cigarette smoker and I was diagnosed as type 2 diabetic about three years ago. The ailments I suffer from are all self inflicted; whilst living a broad I became a heavy spirits drinker which hospitalized me on more than one occasion, on returning to GB I didn’t cease drinking but eased up on the spirits and , indeed, am easing up on drinking altogether.
I do not over eat nor do I have a particularly sweet tooth, though, admittedly, since relinquishing tobacco I do find myself eating more pear drops than usual, but ordinarily I eat the same food as anyone else and my blood sugar seems pretty stable.
I’m currently taking 30mg gliclazide daily as prescribed by my GP. However, my endocrinologist does not believe that I am diabetic but that to all intents and purposes I present similar symptoms and should continue taking the medication. I don’t feel unwell or tired nor have I had a pancreatic attack for several years.
What’s going on and what should I do about it?
Apologies if I’ve given you a headache.
Thank you,
Can0Worms

@DG2016

I don't agree it is hard to follow for those saying so above. Once you break your sugar habit as I did you lose that urge and most of us don't want to binge on celery or even steak.

IU regard what I call ODDD (obesity, diabetes, depression and dementia) all of which have a sugar link as some of the worst ills of our age. People have stopped knowing what being hungry is. We could start by not having any snack machines at stations or in schools and ensure all NHS premises food is healthy eg only serve water to drink. Some of these things are very cheap eg if you only eat one or two mneals a day and no snacks and only drink water you save money so really anyone could do it and if the risk of not is you might lose your sight or a leg through diabetes we really need to hammer that message home.

Anyway no specific question - just a big supporter. Reddit keto is a good information source too.

I am also a big fan of real food. If it has ingredients on the side of it don't eat it.

well said. Real food forever

Thanks!

I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancies, and strangely, lost my sweet tooth pretty much completely after that. I love lentils, pulses, fruit and veg. Eat healthily, most meals are cooked from scratch. But I am told I'm border-line diabetic (in mymid-50s). My Dad is Type 2, so the hereditary factor combined with the GD are working against me (and I do love a glass of wine or two in the evening, which probably doesn't help).

Bloody annoying though!

I will buy your book, Dr Mosley to see what else I can do, and love your 'Trust Me I'm a Doctor' programme. So interesting!

Good bye everyone, some great posts. The Blood Sugar Diet is a book I am very proud of and I do hope you enjoy

All the best, Michael

Thanks for the encouragement
Important stuff I think

Missed it, but can't wait to get home and read what he said.

Thanks for answering my question x

I don't think he answered any of mine.
Maybe I didn't phrase them well enough. But I'm sure he got my point.

I wish I had been free during this chat. I would have asked about the impact of low carbing on the production of serotonin. My understanding is that lowering carbs can lead to a reduction of serotonin too. Does anyone know anything about this?

Great web chat - thanks!
I too am sorry I missed it live, but have just caught up.

I think I am going to steal "ODDD" as a phrase, DG2016

MightyMug, my understanding is that a 'sugar hit' can raise Serotonin (hence comfort eating when we feel down or stressed), but that in turn causes an insulin spike and subsequent bloodsugar drop, followed by the munchies. So, a low carb/intermittent fasting type diet will even this out: less Serotonin spikes, but also less lows. And less self-loathing then the diet has failed yet again…. The sluggishness that follows a sugar hit is what can make low mood worse also, as can moving less, generally feeling worse about oneself etc etc, it really is a vicious circle.

I am still convinced that as a society we need to come away from thinking in terms of 'diet' and certainly away from calorie counting for day to day living.
Real food, eating when hungry and stopping when full, lots of healthy fats and protein with carbs purely as a filler only if required - what we eat needs to by yummy and practical and affordable and readily available.

I've just had a whole avocado with yesterday's leftover bacon, balsamic vinegar, a bit of lemon juice and some seasoning - relish! And took all of 2 minutes to 'make' (I would not call it cooking what I just did…)

I know Michael has gone now, but anyone who has this book, do you think the diet would prove to be expensive? I'm on a big economy drive at the moment and unfortunately it seems that cheap carbs is the only way to keep grocery bills low...