health updates

october 2007

Book Review: The Diabetes Antidote, An Exercise Prescription to Prevent Type 2 To Combat Type 1

by Doug Burns, Mr. Universe with Denny Dreeman, published by ComServ Books, P.O. Box 3116, Greenwood Village, CO 80155-3116. Mr. Burn’s history with diabetes reads like a horror story of extremely high blood glucose levels, failure to thrive, being bullied, and difficulties with school and self image. His answer, which certainly seems to have worked for him, is exercise. Surprised? Of course you’re not because we talk about the value of exercise for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. What I like about the author’s style is that he is forthright— that is he pulls no punches. He tells you to empower yourself and then gives examples of how he works with clients to change their understanding of diabetes and how to control the disease. I have a few problems with the way he presents his antidote. For example in chapter 5 he states “It’s about exercise, first, and then diet”. As someone who writes this web site and books about diabetes, I would not have made this glittering generality. However, in 4 pages, Mr. Burns redeems himself by saying, “Obviously, the ideal scenario is to combine both. To do the most for your health, you must combine the activites you like with good eating.” Another thing I particularly like about this small rewarding book is the author’s assault on magic answers. He knows that making the decision to take control of ones live and set reasonable goals, is the true magic of self preservation and controlling diabetes and its long and short term complications. His honestly about the complexity of diabetes and descriptions of his own hypo and hyperglycemic events gives insight for those without diabetes about what we who, do live with. I must say, I read his idea of how to eat during the day when trying to control blood glucose levels with interest and will do medical research on how this would work for people like us who are not in training. (Although I work out 6 days a week, it certainly would not come anywhere near what he describes in the book.) His formula is: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper. And drop your carbohydrate intake at dinner.” In the last chapter, the author answers questions that are most frequently asked when he lectures. Although, I liked reading the entire book, this was my favorite chapter because the information was concise and to the point. None of us may be in training for Mr. Universe, but this is a good book to motivate young people with diabetes or adults who allow their fears to stymie their ability to control this life threatening disease. It’s a quick read that says ’Yes you can.” BSP