Hypoglycemia: Part II. Brief Survey of a Few Diets and Books
by J. C. Waterhouse, Ph.D.
Dr. St. Amand, in his paper on hypoglycemia (see FIBROMEET site), gives the simplest approach that he has found to be effective for many years for his patients. However, to obtain low carbohydrate recipes, and to read about the research on health benefits, and to look at other options, I will mention a few books I am familiar with. They all have recipes and menu plans. I will primarily discuss the ways in which they differ.
Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution, 1992, by Robert C. Atkins, M.D. This book stresses rapid weight loss and very low carbohydrates. It aims to achieve a ketogenic diet, which, according to Dr. Atkins is perfectly safe for most people (in fact, some children on epilepsy are put on ketogenic diets). It has chapters on nutrition, Candida and allergies/sensitivities, as well as covering the research on health benefits. If you have trouble during the first few days of the diet, he suggests 500-1500 mg of the amino acid L-glutamine, 4-5 times per day, to help with cravings. His program shows how many patients can actually increase their saturated fat and still eventually achieve much lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Others are critical of his failure to limit saturated fats, however in many of the recipes, one can substitute leaner meats and add vegetable oils, like olive oil or sunflower oil.
Healthy for Life, 1995, by Richard R. Heller, Ph.D. and Rachael F. Heller, Ph.D. This book presents a more gradual and flexible approach to lowering insulin levels and losing weight. They stress the need to lose weight slowly (1-2 pounds per week) so that the body does not go into “efficiency mode”, which causes weight loss to plateau. Some of their options might not be adequate to control hypoglycemia, particularly in more severe cases. For instance, they tend to allow a lot of carbohydrates at dinner. It has up-to-date coverage of research studies on benefits for preventing heart disease and diabetes, as well as intriguing information on possible benefits in cancer prevention. It also presents a vegetarian version of the diet that may work for some people.
Coping With Candida Cookbook, by Sally Rockwell, nutritionist. This book is helpful because it gives low carbohydrate recipes that allow those with allergies and sensitivities to avoid their problem foods. It can be ordered from the American Academy of Environmental Medicine at 316/684-5500; web site: www.healthy.net/aaem/index.html.
The Zone diet books, by Barry Sears, Ph.D. These books recommend relatively low carbohydrate diets and may work for some people. However, he spends a lot of time on his theory on how the "zone" diet can balance eicosanoids, which is so far unproven. You may or may not want to go to the additional effort of doing the “balancing” of eicosanoids he recommends.
Eat Right for Your Blood Type, By Peter D’Adamo. This book is focused on avoiding lectins occurring in some foods that may react negatively with the blood of people with various blood types. I think it may be useful to know which foods have lectins that are not right for your blood type, however, one should remember that you may be allergic or sensitive to other foods that he says are O.K. as far as lectins. Also, he only tells people with Type O that they need to limit their carbohydrates, yet I know at least 2 people with Type A blood who also have hypoglycemia. So, you can’t rely only on blood types to determine whether you need a lower carbohydrate diet.
For me, however, the bottom line is Dr. St. Amand’s recommended diet. He has found this sufficient for even the most severe hypoglycemics among his fibromyalgia patients. The above books and many others out there recommend cutting out sugar, or reducing carbohydrates. They may help lower insulin, but they may not be enough for true hypoglycemics, as Dr. St. Amand defines them. So, if you have tried other low carbohydrate, hypoglycemia or Candida diets, you still might want to consider Dr. St. Amand’s dietary approach for at least 2 months to determine what is the maximal benefit you might obtain. (Caution: Patients with existing renal failure should not go on a high protein diet, and patients with gout or diabetes should consult their doctor, as should all patients with a medical condition, before changing their diet. Changes in diet and supplements (e.g., chromium) may affect the dosage needed for insulin and other diabetes medications.)
Since this information might be useful, I will include the following section on allergy/sensitivity reduction (from Synergy Health Newsletter, Issue 3)
A recent controlled study showed that reduction of delayed (“hidden” non -IgE) immune sensitivities can reduce fibromyalgia symptoms significantly (Deuster & Jaffe, J. of Musculoskel. Pain, accepted for publication in 1999) Allergy/sensitivity reduction can also be important in reducing susceptibility to sinusitis, gastrointestinal and other types of infections. Food and chemical reactions can also contribute to blood sugar fluctuations. Elimination diets and food diaries may be quite helpful in identifying reactive foods. An increase in the pulse of 10% or more, 30-60 minutes after a meal or single food challenge may help in identifying the most reactive items. A short-cut pulse test, which involves detecting a 10% increase in pulse after the food or supplement has been on the tongue for two minutes, allows one to test the food without ingesting it (Note: pulse tests may not work if one is taking beta blockers). The increased pulse reflects stimulation of the nervous system, and this stimulant effect may explain why many of one’s reactive foods are also favorite ones. The nervous system stimulation also may partly explain the withdrawal symptoms that occur in the first 3-7 days after stopping the reactive item. Rotation diets help many, but for those who are universal reactors, a relatively simple and constant diet of the least reactive foods, with only occasional rotation, may be more helpful at first, because this approach utilizes the masking effect to reduce reactions. The least reactive foods vary among individuals, but rice (especially white rice), quinoa, oats, chicken, tuna, raw sunflower seeds are good possibilities. A variety of laboratory and clinical testing and treatment methods are also available. The existence of 12 or more mechanisms for food and chemical reactions means that no single testing method is likely to detect all sensitivities. Some of the best known allergies/sensitivities are Types I, II, III and IV immune sensitivities, lactose, gluten, and fructose intolerance and lectin reactions. Chemicals, food additives, molds, dust and pollen may also cause problems. It should also be remembered, that sensitivity often increases the more one is exposed to the item. For further information, and physician and book lists, contact the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, at 7701 East Kellogg, Suite 625, Wichita, KS 67207, 316/684-5500; web site: www.healthy.net/aaem/index.html. For help in reducing exposures to inhalants, like dust, pollen and mold, one may obtain a catalog from Allergy Asthma Technology Ltd. (800-621-5545). For chemically sensitive patients, another resource for products and services is the American Environmental Health Foundation (800-428-2343, www.ehcd.com/ehc.html). Janice Corporation (800-JANICES) carries organic cotton barrier cloth and other products for the chemically sensitive. Another alternative if one is primarily concerned with allergic symptoms, such as asthma, rashes and rhinitis caused by pollen, mold and animal dander, is to obtain a referral to a traditional allergist from your doctor or HMO. They emphasize symptomatic treatment with drugs, with occasional use of desensitization for inhalant allergies and they are typically more limited in their approach to food, chemical and non-IgE mediated sensitivities
(Also, see CISRA site CISRA SynergyHN-home page and Hypoglycemia Part I ).
Disclaimer: This is for information only and is not medical advice. Consult your physician regarding changes in diet, especially if you have any medical condition.