The Blood Sugar Solution - anyone tried it?

Considering I can't even get any real information on their website without buying something or giving them my details, I would stay away from it. It doesn't even give you a real idea on what the plan is. How can anybody really research if it's even right for them? Oh, because it's all about selling a product.

Ignore the people judging for now, was this some product you saw on the show or was it a particular diet/workout?

I've been following the plan since April of 2012. I'm not diabetic but was easily pre-diabetic, very over weight, high blood pressure and a number of other small issues. My doctor has been very supportive of my eating plan and monitors me every six months. She has taken me off of all blood pressure meds and is so amazed on my progress so far. So far to date I've lost 50 pounds. In the beginning my weight loss was rather steady. In the last few months with a change in my work schedule I've more or less stayed in the 155 to 158 range (working 12 hr days 5 days a week, I have not taken the time I need to exercise). I do have a goal of 105, my height is just under 5' with a small frame.

When you read the book, just read it with an open mind to get the message for the eating plan. Yeah there is a lot of "buy my stuff" in the book. I never order from the website, too expensive. It's clean eating of organic low glycemic whole foods and nothing processed. I'm in Southern Ohio and finding fresh organic is not always easy, so making the best choices of what is available is what I've had to do.

As with everyone, find what works for you and do it! As for me this has been the easiest eating plan for me.

I followed it for about 10 weeks. I was getting too close to pre-diabetic so tried it. The program also has you decaffeinate, no alcohol, no gluten and no dairy. That's the hard part! Then you can add the gluten and dairy back in after 6 weeks - I think the idea is to see if you also have any food allergies that might be contributing to your health problems. I added back gluten but stayed off the dairy as I noticed I didn't feel as well when I added it back in.

As for numbers... my fasting glucose went down (105 to 85). And my AC1 was back in normal range. My cholesterol numbers improved dramatically dropped 60 points! My doctor was amazed. Then recently, I saw Forks Over Knives and decided to go a bit farther and cut meat out of my diet as well as the dairy. I've added back alcohol once a week. Dropping about a pound a week.

Best part - the recipes are the best I've seen - lot's of spices. I got the original book and the cookbook. Don't bother with website or supplements. I think he over emphasizes supplements - guessing that's where he makes his money! But the ideas presented in the book are very sound (IMHO).

I am reading the book right now (just got it from the library after a long wait). I think the info regarding "diabesity" and the connection between blood sugar, insulin, diabetes AS WELL AS other health problems to be intriguing. If nothing else, this book will help you understand how these are all connected and why it is a problem. The focus is not only on reducing blood glucose, but states that excess insulin is what causes the problems even before your blood glucose is high. I had gestational diabetes with my last two pregnancies and when I went back for the 2 hour glucose test when baby was 6 months old my fasting BG was a little high but my one and two hour numbers were ok. I was told to continue to lose weight (I am slightly overweight) and follow the gestational diabetes diet. Come back in a year. This book has made me more aware of the dangers of being pre-diabetic and not waiting until even more damage has been done to make a change. He says that doctors should be testing insulin levels, not just blood sugar levels.

I haven't read the book cover to cover yet but have skipped around to see what the program is like. The book has different quizzes to assess various things--inflammation, diabesity, vitamin deficiencies, etc. The basic program is 6 weeks long. The premise of the "diet" portion is to eliminate gluten and dairy for the first six weeks, along with no sugar, no artificial sweetener, etc (I can't recite the whole book from memory yet ). He gives suggestions on what types of oils to eat and how many fruits, veggies, proteins, etc to eat. There are also sections on reducing stress, exercise, supplements. After the 6 weeks are up (for the basic plan--people with more severe health problems would follow the more intense plan) you can choose to continue to eliminate dairy and gluten or add them back in, watching for signs of intolerance that are listed in the book.

As for the supplements...you don't have to buy the ones from the online store. I was a little irritated that in the book it says to refer to the website for a list of supplements that are good brands (there were several other times the website was mentioned for more info as well), but when I went online last night did not find any of that info. That being said, I already take most of the supplements separately and they are not that expensive. The book lists dosages so you can take the list to the store and find what you need.