veg*nism and diabetes...help me respond.

[MollyCat]

I have a friend who's diabetic. He's had three kidney transplants due to the illness although he's doing fine now. He's an avid animal lover and does volunteer and rescue work at his local shelter. He also has 3 cats and a dog. I asked him if he'd ever considered veg*nism and this was his response:

I don't think I could be vegan. I appreciate the compassion that they have for animals, however because of my diabetes, I don't know how I could change my diet. And I am Scandinavian and genetically programmed to eat fish and venison. Plus, I figure my cats are strictly meat-eaters and they have no moral qualms about eating any creature that is smaller than themselves. I have some Buddhist friends that tried to get me to be veggie, but I couldn't stick with it.

Since I know nothing about veg*nism and diabetes, I was unsure as to how to repsond to his email. I don't want to shove my diet choices down his throat but I would like to point out the benefits of non-meat eating to a diabetic (I'm sure there are many). Any ideas?

:help:

[milo]

Well pointing out health benefits is one thing. But, youll have to research those yourself. I wish i could help you there but i dont know much about that. If this is for his well-being, let him realize that. In order to get better, he must apply himself somewhere. Let him know a vegan diet is something worth reaching for, as it is not just a simple thing....and that it WILL help it.

[Foxy]

* One of the best things people with kidney issues can do is eliminate ALL forms of animal potein, which is ALWAYS hard on the kidneys.

* I have had patients transition to a vegan diet and completely balance blood sugar levels to the point where they no longer required insulin injections :yes:

[beforewisdom]

Therapeutic vegan diet for diabetes:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570671397/qid=1111463806/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-3198527-3466307

[MollyCat]

Thanks. Foxy, I found what you wrote about kidneys and meat eating very interesting and I'll look for more info on that. And that book, BW, may be something that my friend needs to read.

:)

[Banana1]

I have hypoglycemia, which isn't diabetes, but it is similar, in that I have to be careful in regards to my blood sugar levels. A vegan diet helps me get adequate fibre, which is really important in maintaining steady blood sugar. Beans are full of fibre and are very low GI. Nuts are fantastic (but I am allergic) for diabetes coz they have good fats for cholestrol and fibre and they are also very low GI.

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

I have had patients transition to a vegan diet and completely balance blood sugar levels to the point where they no longer required insulin injections :yes:

Woo hoo - this is me! (Well, OK, no, I'm not one of Foxy's patients,) but I'm diabetic, and going vegan (OK - honestly I'm only about 80% there) - not even all the way vegan, AND exercising. has totally eliminated any need for my meds as well! :bobo:

I did this with a Doctor's supervision of COURSE, not just playing around with something that serious at random... but simply eliminating virtually all dairy, eggs and refined products has made a HUGE HUGE difference for me - I mean, for a diabetic on insulin to get OFF their meds - that's SUCH a big deal!!! I am beyond thrilled!! - totally inspired me to keep maintaining this type of a lifestyle, even if I hadn't felt compelled to otherwise!!

I don't know any references to help you, however I went thru an outpatient program at our hospital called C.H.I.P (Coronary Health Improvement Program I believe) that's a nationally known program and has evidently helped lots of people - not trying to advertise, but maybe you could contact them for some statistics? here's a link - http://www.portlandtn.com/chip.htm

[shagginabit]

* One of the best things people with kidney issues can do is eliminate ALL forms of animal potein, which is ALWAYS hard on the kidneys.

* I have had patients transition to a vegan diet and completely balance blood sugar levels to the point where they no longer required insulin injections :yes:


really? I've always wondered that. My grandmother is diabetic and since I've went vegan I cook alot and she eats meat about once a week now, and her levels are on the mark. She's went off the shots and only takes pills.

What about high blood pressure? Does it help keep it level or lower that too? I've noticed her bp has been really good now.

[CountessKerouac]

A low-fat vegan diet WILL lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and reduce the risk of hypertension.

[MollyCat]

Tofu-N-Sprouts, thanks for that link. I truly believe that a lot of illnesses can be maintained and even cured by diet. I sent off some information to my friend but so far he hasn't responded. Congrats on being med-free!! :up:

[prairie_girl]

MollyCat, my friend Taryl (i think you met her, she's the one that left early from the restaraunt and then rejoined us at the club) works at the Canadian Diebetes Association and her mom is a diabetic and also a diabetes nurse. Maybe she'd have some help for you, I can ask if you want?

[catswym]

newsweek had an article with dr. barnard back in 2003.

January 20, 2003, Newsweek, U.S. Edition
By Anne Underwood
New Ideas About Halting Diabetes

[punkmommy]

I have a Meatless Diabetic Cookbook I picked up at a second hand store, you can have if you'd like :) I'm not diabetic, but I'll pretty much buy any veg*n cookbook. I've never used this one, so I'd rather see someone get some use out of it. PM me.

[Hummusisyummus]

however because of my diabetes, I don't know how I could change my diet.

Diets low in fat and high in fiber (a.k.a. whole plant food based) have been shown to be beneficial to diabetics. For example, the following study used said diet and exercise to eliminate the need for medication for most of the participants.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=7151652

Also, Foxy had a really good point about the animal protein (not to mention cholesterol and salt); animal products are hard on one’s kidneys. Switching to a vegan diet would probably prolong the life of his kidney implants. Plus, vegan diets nicely control other problems diabetics are prone to having, i.e. heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity. I recommend the book “The China Study” by Dr. T. Colin Campbell if you (or he) are interested.


And I am Scandinavian and genetically programmed to eat fish and venison.

Uhh… I’m of mostly British descent but do you see me eating fish, chips and crumpets? Oh wait, I'm American now. Time for a hamburger some Freedom fries and apple pie. Lol I guess that’s not helpful. Let me try again. Genetics do not cause people of difference races to have wildly different nutritional requirements. Different races are far more alike than unalike (that's why we're all one happy species). I think it’s fair to say the Scandinavian diet has not been treating him well and it would be reasonable to attempt to improve the situation. I’m sure there is such thing as a healthy Scandinavian vegan.


Plus, I figure my cats are strictly meat-eaters and they have no moral qualms about eating any creature that is smaller than themselves.

Two big differences between a human and a cat:
1) Humans are omnivores, leaning toward the herbivore side (if the link between diet and disease are to be considered). Cats are highly carnivorous. They have sharp teeth and claws, short intestines and physiologies that can handle meat. We have four pathetic canines, incisors and molars with nails, long digestive tracts and get chronically ill when we eat too much animal product (think heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cancer of the liver, breast, prostate, colon and rectal, etc). Cats need meat much more than we do.
2) Humans have a humungous frontal lobe which enables us to empathize with each other and animals. You are capable of feeling sorrow and pity, a cat cannot. Considering this, it is probably not a great idea to take moral cues from an animal.


I don't want to shove my diet choices down his throat but I would like to point out the benefits of non-meat eating to a diabetic (I'm sure there are many).

Don’t worry, I can do that for you. j/k

I feel your pain. It is so frustrating to watch people literally kill themselves with their horrible diet, lack of exercise and various other vices.

[MollyCat]

MollyCat, my friend Taryl (i think you met her, she's the one that left early from the restaraunt and then rejoined us at the club) works at the Canadian Diebetes Association and her mom is a diabetic and also a diabetes nurse. Maybe she'd have some help for you, I can ask if you want?

Thanks, PG, but I think I'll wait until my friend seems more interested.



I have a Meatless Diabetic Cookbook I picked up at a second hand store, you can have if you'd like I'm not diabetic, but I'll pretty much buy any veg*n cookbook. I've never used this one, so I'd rather see someone get some use out of it. PM me.

You know, that might be helpful for my sister to read. She's not diabetic but my mother is and my sister has quite a bit of say about what my mom gets fed in the hospital. I'll PM you.




Don’t worry, I can do that for you. j/k

I feel your pain. It is so frustrating to watch people literally kill themselves with their horrible diet, lack of exercise and various other vices.

LOL! You said everything in your post that I wanted to say in my email but knew I shouldn't!

I still haven't heard back from him so maybe I've overstepped my bounds in his eyes. I'm starting to think that maybe he likes using his diabetes as an excuse. I'll post if he ever answers me.