Type 2 diabetic since July 1991, diagnosed based on a fasting sugar reading of 468 mg/dl

by bonny damocles
(Midland, MI, U.S.A.)

QUESTION: For more than 20 years now, I have been using exercise as my only type 2 diabetes medication.

I do not know of any natural cures for my diabetes. I will always be a diabetic.

But by being D.U.M.B. (disciplined, upbeat, motivated, bold), I enjoy life like I have no diabetes.

Before I go farther, may I suggest that you google the words: The Science of Exercise, Erika Gebel. On the first page of the article, you will see my name under the heading Exercise Case Study. Please click on my name.

What have I been eating since my diagnosis? Heart-healthy, natural, and fresh (eaten raw or cooked) foods, mostly carbohydrates like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, roots, seeds, grains, seaweeds. Occasionally, I also eat lean beef, lean pork, skinless chicken, fish and other seafoods.

I always do my best to avoid sugary foods, salty foods, oily/fatty foods, dairy products, soft and hard drinks, foods with artificial ingredients, snacks, processed foods.

Would you believe that for more than 20 years, despite the fact that I have been having high after-meal blood sugar readings 3x/day caused by my high carb meals, I have not had any diabetes complications yet? Why? Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe because I have been exercising a total of 90 minutes/day (in 4 sessions, 1 session immediately before each meal and before bed).

If you have any questions, please email me at bonnynemia@gmail.com


ANSWER: Hi Bonny,

I hope to meet more dedicated diabetic patients like you. It is true that having discipline is something very important, especially when you have diabetes. Besides the discipline, you have the dedication to beat your disease and to live normal life.

Regarding your condition, I will remind you that diabetes type 2 is caused by two things, first by reduced insulin secretion or by impaired glucose tolerance.

However, I’m not able to say 100% sure what the exact cause of your diabetes is, but according to the information, which you have provided, it is a matter of impaired glucose tolerance.

During the impaired glucose tolerance, the insulin secretion is normal, but the insulin is not able to put all the glucose inside the cells. This leads to the accumulation of glucose in the blood, characterized by blood glucose elevation.

However, you have found the best way to burn this glucose, which remains in your blood - exercises. You are absolutely right, that exercises are helping you to keep your blood glucose within in the normal ranges, but you have to know one thing – diabetes is progressive disease.

In other words, at some point, like in your case, you might be able to keep everything normal without the usage of familiar drugs, but after this point severe changes in the glucose metabolism will appear.

However, I want to congratulate you about the big efforts of yours and to remind you to check your blood glucose occasionally and if you see something, which is not right, inform your doctor immediately.

I hope that for other more 20 years, such things are not going to happen and you will be able to maintain your blood glucose concentration normal, only by exercises and diet.

Wish you all the best!

Dr.Alba



I don't think type 2 diabetes is progressive when exercise is used as the only medication to control it
by: Bonny C Damocles

COMMENT: Dr. Alba:

As you very well know, I am on a mission to prove that type 2 diabetes is not a progressive disease. I strongly believe that I will always be enjoying life like I have no diabetes.

Everybody knows that high fasting and after-meal sugar levels are very very bad. I have been having them 4x/day since July 1991 when I was diagnosed based on a fasting sugar reading of 468 mg/dl. Three times per day, I have been eating plenty of carbohydrates but the blood sugar highs they have been naturally creating have never harmed me.

Have you ever heard/known/read about another type 2 diabetic who has been managing his disease as well (no diabetes complications yet) and as long (more than 20 years) as I have?

I doubt it very much.

I would think that medical science and doctors of medicine and experts on type 2 diabetes have yet to accept the fact that type 2 diabetes is very easy to control with the use of daily exercise as the sole medication against it.

May I add that heart-healthy, natural, fresh (raw or cooked) foods, mostly carbohydrates, should be eaten no more than 3x/day (only water between meals) for ones fuel, nutrients, and sustenance.

Please understand that in 24 years I will be 100 years old. In these 24 years, when do you think will my diabetes become progressive? Unless you find data to support your answer, I will keep on saying that my t2d is not and will not be a progressive disease.

Thank you very much for your comments.

Bonny C Damocles



COMMENT-REPLY: Hi Bonny,

First, I want to clarify that my opinions are based on what medical scientists have found out and accepted as a real fact for every type 2 diabetics.

Although many theories have been well accepted, however, each doctor knows that 2 + 2 does not equal 4 in medicine. It may equal more or less than 4, but never, never 4. I hope you got this my idea.

Please understand my intention of not confounding people on medical facts, theories, what is accepted and what not. Until today, the facts are accepted as mentioned before.

With regards to your own experience, I am happy for your findings and success. However, as this is individual, I cannot accept for everyone with type 2 diabetes.

As glucose is very important for each of our body cells; when it lacks (as in diabetes), they will end suffering. This will lead to various damages, which was meant when I have spoken about progression in diabetes.

Once more, although general data has been accepted, however, individual experience can change ones therapeutic schedule.

Thank you for sharing with us your experience,

Dr.Alba


Reply to Dr. Alba
by: bonny c damocles

Dr. Alba,


Thank you very much for taking the time to explain the basis of your opinions.

I very well know that at this stage of the game, I will have to work very very hard to convince newly diagnosed pre-diabetics and full-blown type 2 diabetics that their disease can very easily be tamed with the use of adequate daily physical activities.

Nobody has to wait for a cure for it because once they develop the habit of exercising every day, this disease automatically becomes just a reminder for them to shape up.

Medical science, medical doctors, and experts on type 2 diabetes cannot be blamed for heavily relying on the data they get from various studies/researches/experiments done by well-known universities/pharmaceutical companies/research groups.

There certainly is no better alternative for them to consider.

I am just a small voice in the wilderness. Unless and until somebody understands what my 20+ years of unbelievably successful experience with my t2d
means, the privilege of living like I have no diabetes will be mine alone.

Thanks again.

Bonny C Damocles

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