Comments on: Real Food Wednesday: Seeking Information about Heart Disease, Diabetes, and Diet

By: Merryn

Merryn — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:22:06 +0000

My beloved daughter-in-law runs a non-profit for diabetes awareness. There are a lot of great resources at their website: http://www.skinnygeneproject.org/

Blessings!

By: Katie

Katie — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:34:26 +0000

I have read before that high cholesterol is not always linked to heart disease. Very interesting. My husband is fighting high triglycerides…needs to cut back on the pop! Thanks so much for the link.

By: Evelyn Wenzel

Evelyn Wenzel — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:04:52 +0000

Something interesting I’ve learned about cholesterol and how it is tied to family heritage is that if your ancestors came from parts of the world where they would have typically been outside for large portions of the day you will probably have higher cholesterol. This is because cholesterol on the skin is changed to Vitamin D (which protects bones, heart health, from cancers) and with more sun exposure they would have needed more vitamin D. My husband’s family for instance is from Lebanese descent and they have high cholesterol (but not necessarily heart problems). Yet another good reason to get out in the sun. Triglicerides are strongly linked to fructose consumption. Fructose unlike other sugars are metabolized by the liver into triglicerides.
An article on Cholesterol http://drbenkim.com/articles-cholesterol.html
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0967089700?ie=UTF8&tag=lifeessential-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0967089700

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:24:11 +0000

I just updated the post with the hospital guidelines. Come back to see what they recommend and help me navigate the waters!

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:10:50 +0000

There’s a lot of info in the “real food/WAP” world about low-fat foods, particularly dairy, causing heart disease. Go figure. I think everyone agrees that low carb is important for diabetics, and making sure the carbs you do eat are whole grains or fiber-rich legumes, stuff like that. Beyond that little tidbit, I have a lot to learn myself! I’ll certainly be doing some more research…

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:09:26 +0000

Awesome advice, thank you! I love the stuff about cinnamon – that I can definitely share with MIL without sounding crazy. She has type 2 diabetes, and hasn’t been on insulin but is temporarily (hopefully) following surgery.

I use the “Real Salt” brand that is similar to celtic sea salt and hope to talk them into using it. I’ll make some homemade whole grain products with it for her, for whenever she has bread products anyway – I figure at least if I make them, we know that they’re 100% whole grain and with no trans fats.

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 03:06:07 +0000

My in-laws are meeting with the dietician tomorrow, again, but she already had a short conversation with her. She told me today that she specifically asked: margarine or butter? and was told that there’s a lot of conflict there, so don’t do either. Benecol was recommended, which is very expensive, and the 4th ingredient or so was hydrogenated soybean oil. I could have spit! I can’t wait to hear what this gal tells them tomorrow – there is just SO much conflicting research and information out there! What I’m most worried about is that the information they’ll get from the “experts” won’t be correct. They think I’m crazy to distrust the hospital…the same hospital that served her a white roll with every meal before and after heart surgery, even though she is diabetic. Duh.

Thanks for your input – hopefully we can wade through all the info and come out on the healthy side!
Katie

By: Sarah W

Sarah W — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:45:07 +0000

I’m definitely interested in the comments too. My FIL is basically in the same situation: heart disease and diabetes. It seems like he can’t eat ANYTHING!

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:45:26 +0000

Michelle, Thank you for the link – watching the video now. I read on the WAP website that diabetics should have more vit A and D and should take cod liver oil, so that matches right up with the fish oil thing. ???

By: Katie

Katie — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 01:41:42 +0000

Lizzie, I totally agree with you about the artificial sweeteners. They may not raise blood sugar, but if they raise your risk of cancer or other diseases, the sweets just ain’t worth it. Thanks for the links, I’m checking them out tonight! Katie