Congratulations on your progress. It sounds like you and I took a very similar approach upon diagnosis. My goal was also to do whatever it took to get off the Metformin as quickly as possible. I have been med-free since mid-July. I have found that my fasting numbers have stayed pretty much the same. I do think I spike a litle higher post-meal, but it has still been within range. I get my new A1C in a couple of weeks - the first one since I've been off the Met - and I'm anxious to see what it is. When I was taken off the meds it was 5.1. I don't know if it will still be that low, but have reason to believe it will still be acceptable enough to continue med free.

Keep doing what you're doing and you should continue to have success.

Congratulations.......

You charted your mission and stayed on path.....

I hope to be where you guys are in a few months.....I am determined.

That's awesome it lets me know that there is hope for me also. My A1C was 9.0 in June 2 weeks ago it was 7.4 so I am heading in the right direction. I take 1000mg of Metformin 2x a day morning and nite.

Congrat's again you have done great !!!!!!!!


Mike

I'm new to this group. I was diagnosed a Type 2 Diabetic in March when my A1c was reported at 8.3% with elevated blood pressure and elevated cholesterol. At that point, my doctor started writing a prescription for Metformin. I quickly interrupted him and stated I would rather manage my blood sugar through diet and exercise. He reluctantly agreed but stated if I couldn't gain control of my blood sugar in the next three months, I would need to begin taking Metformin to prevent damage. I immediately started researching my best options using natural remedies.

The first thing I discovered is that Magnesium plays a role in over 300 bio-molecular processes that are critical to metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates and your minimum recommended daily is quite difficult to reach through diet alone. Significantly, I read that most Type 2 diabetics suffer from a magnesium deficiency. So, I began taking 400 mg of Magnesium twice a day. To counteract common side effects, I started consuming a lot of high-fiber foods. But Magnesium is easily absorbed through your skin as well, so that can be another option if oral supplementation disagrees with you.

For high-fiber supplementation, I consume Psyllium once each day with a tall glass of water, and I consume two tablespoons of ground flax seed (in oatmeal, in soup, or on salad. I also consume one ounce of heart-healthy, salt-free nuts each day. Try raw unsalted almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, peanuts, etc.

The next thing I learned is that one gram of Cinnamon can help metabolize sugary foods and reduce sugar spiking. Ceylon Cinnamon, also referred to as True Cinnamon, typically originates from Sri Lanka and is hard to find in the USA whereas Cassia Cinnamon is most common here in the USA. Cassia Cinnamon contains Coumarin which thins the blood. The generic blood thinner, Warfarin (trade name Coumadin), uses Coumarin as one of its primary ingredients. Most of us can take up to a full gram (1000 mg) of Cinnamon everyday with no ill effects.

I then discovered that Chromium is recognized as a fat burner which also reduces blood sugar spiking and controls fasting blood sugar levels. So I began taking Chromax Plus twice a day.

I further learned that Alpha Lipoic Acid, a non-essential fatty acid typically manufactured in our body is key to managing the symptoms of metabolic syndrome. Alpha lipoic acid is a fatty acid found naturally inside every cell in the body. It's needed by the body to produce the energy for our body's normal functions. Alpha lipoic acid converts glucose (blood sugar) into energy. I take 600 mg everyday to reduce symptoms of insulin resistance.

My second blood test three months later, which would have been the determining factor for Type 2 Diabetes, showed a drastic reduction in A1c to 6.2% and my doctor agreed that I was not a candidate for Metformin. He simply told me to just keep on doing whatever I've been doing and he'd see me again in six months. So, I'm not a Type 2 Diabetic any longer but I continue to take these supplements, exercise everyday, and watch what I eat. And I feel GREAT!

- Mike

Congratulations mikeyrs.. ... I'm currently at 6.0 and shooting to join those who have got their's down to 5.



Dee

Excellent News. You should be really proud of yourself.

Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but, it is my understanding, that once a T2D, always a T2D. You can control your blood glucose by diet and exercise and get off the meds, but as soon as you go back to high sugar intake, your blood glucose will rise again to dangerous levels. It’s like saying I’m cured of alcoholism because I haven’t had a drink in over 27 year, but I know that I am not cured, and the first drink I have will set me back to being a practicing alcoholic.

Congratz! That is awesome! Yes once a diabetic always a diabetic or at least prone to relapse. Since Fat cells feed on insulin cells in our blood which is the cause of diabetes for most T2 diabetics, it is possible to go into a sort of "remission" for lack of better word. If you lose the weight and remain in a healthy lifestyle of exercise (which releases insulin into the body) and not eating processed sugars you can live a normal healthy life without meds.

Because our bodies will no longer be fighting against having insulin in our blood, when you lose the excess weight, it is possible to have no signs of T2 diabetes anymore. I think from what I have been told we can have a treat here in there if we practice moderation and healthy living once you lose weight and get into normal ranges on your A1C.

I always enjoy hearing about peoples success beating the dreaded type two. I had bariatric surgery last January 23rd and was off diabetic medication within a week. I started backing off carbs a year and a half ago but until I virtually eliminated them my a1c was only slowly coming down. Overall I've lost 235 pounds, and about 207 pounds since starting MFP.
I suggest that everybody read Gary Taubes book "Why we get fat". Until you understand the basic science it's difficult to make the right choices.

Your weight loss is amazing, and Taubs is an amazing character. Joel Fuhrman is another incredible nutritionalist. Eat to live is another great book. The more we know the better we can deal with the diet issues. I just finished another book by John J. Rately called spark. How exercise builds cognition. I've lost 240 pounds using these books, and my increased cognition is almost spooky good.