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http://vitamindcouncil.com/research.shtml

Since we got scared out of the sun in 1989, without comment as to how we were now going to get enough vitamin D, there has been a rise in numerous diseases, diabetes (both types) and obesity among them. Diabetes type 1 and 2 are both linked to Vitamin D deficiency.

I was shocked to read recently that middle school children are being screened for cholesterol. Cholesterol, as it turns out, is also linked to Vitamin D.

How about screening for Vitamin D deficiency in all our children in order to prevent future diabetics?

I am a type 1 diabetic and have been one for over 40 years. In 1989 my doctor told me I was spilling protein in my urine, not a good thing. I then adopted a vegetarian diet and since then, as my recent exam re-affirmed, no protein in my kidneys. As noted, there is a significant health difference between simple carbs and complex carbs. I would recommend any person who is diabetic, type 1 or 2, as well as most other people, that following a vegetarian diet is the way to go.

I caught the tail-end of your discussion on diabetes just now, the caller who brought up PCRM. the mis-named Physicians' Committee for Responsible Medicine is an ANIMAL RIGHTS group, partially funded by PeTA, whose "solution" to whatever ails you is a Vegan diet!

The caller brought up the idea that switching everyone to veganism would decrease the amount of resources required to feed the world's population. As a scientist involved in animal agriculture, I don't that that's necessarily true. Animals such as cattle and sheep can be grazed on land that is not suitable for crops to be directly eaten by humans. In addition, when you feed "corn" to cattle, you re not just feeding the kernels (seeds), you are feeding the entire plant. Thus, meat can be produced without using resources tht would otherwise go directly to humans.

The main point, though, is that PCRM should not be believed or trusted on any matter whatsoever! You can look it up here http://naiaonline.org/body/articles/archives/animalrightsquote.htm#Meat

Dr. Louard answered a question about carbs but didn't distinguish between simple and complex carbs. Complex carbs take longer to break down and don't pose the same problems as simple ones. Even some of the low-carb diet plans have now been modified to take this into account.

As to the question on fruit juice, what role do glycemic load and glycemic index of a given food/drink play in the processing of sugars and the net result for diabetics/pre-diabetics?

I think it cannot be denied that there is a link between income level and the prevalence of diabetes in this city. There has been much talk lately and I know of many people anecdotally who complain of the quality of life in this city for working class and middle income people: working all the time, commuting all the time (stress), not being able to allow your child to play in the local neighborhood because you can only afford to live in a not so safe neighborhood, not being able to buy quality foods and fresh fruits and vegetables in poor neighborhoods or because of income concerns.This is a vicious cycle that is being ingnored.

2 questions on blood pressure, which the first guest named as the first thing people with diabetes need to concern themselves with:

A few years ago I overheard 2 black men in a health food store looking for low-sodium foods to help keep their blood pressure down and having a lot of trouble finding any. What can be done to help persuade food maunufacturers and stores to make more low-sodium foods available?

And what can be done to publicize the NHLBI's DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) study, which found that diet can affect blood pressure to the point that many people were able to reduce or completely stop their blood pressure medication?

Re: Type II diabetes

I think it's important to note that there are two different types of diabetes: Type I and Type II.

Most people don't realize that there are two different diseases, and I think it's important to always note which type when we discuss these diseases.

Thank you,
Gayle

I'm not surprised. I find the number of fat, yes fat, people who take up two seats on public transportation. I don't say this to be funny because it is NOT funny, it's very sad. When you see the number of people crowding into fast food restaurants regularly it's really very scary. I visit my mom in the Bronx all the time and it seems to be a particularly fat borough. I'm sure I'll be taken to task for that but it's true. Most of these folks look younger than 50 and I assume that's because they don't make it to 50 due to diet related illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol.

Re: the minority diabetes health issues.
$6.5 Billion a year on the care of people with diabetes just in NY? There is simple way to decrease this number dramatically . Diabetics can help themselves immensely if they were simply being told how to do it. Please help me to get an answer from the ADA.
"Starch (bread), meat, vegetables, fruits, milk (dairy) and fat are on the list" of foods recommended by the ADA for diabetics. Starch, particularly in the form of bread, is virtually toxic to diabetics. According to so many research studies, there are no vital nutrients in starches that can't be found elsewhere.
My question is: Why are these carbohydrates recommended for diabetics?
It is akin to telling people who are allergic to shellfish to have some shrimp.
Adam Campbell (editor of Men's Health Magazine)asked the same question to the ADA in an interview published in Men's Health Magazine several months ago. The ADA did not have an answer. How can they not have an answer? The best they could come up with is that 'a diet restricting these types of foods is too restrictive'.
The people who cannot eat shellfish have the same type of restriction, just with shellfish, rather than breads & other carbohydrates. I imagine they adhere to the diet because they want to live. Diabetes is just a slower death for people who are told to eat 6 servings of carbohydrates daily.
I am truly puzzled by this and my hope is that you can help me find the explanation.
Thank you in advance for your response.
Sincerely,
Ivan Cohen