Diabetes: A Guide to Living Well: A Program of Individualized Self-Care

If Dr. Gary Arshamm and Ernest Lower's Diabetes: A Guide To Living Well sounds familiar, it's because it has been published to much acclaim before, and here appears in its updated, revised fourth edition to reflect changes in the rapidly-evolving world of diabetes treatment. A program of individualized self-care is advocated which teaches not only the basics of testing blood and managing meals, but how to circumvent food cravings and turn them into exercise routines. An excellent guide.

The authors address both the medical and the emotional aspects of diabetes. There is relatively more on the medical and dietary aspects of diabetes than on the emotional side. I particularly liked the fact that they discuss diabetes regimens for individuals who can only manage intermediate or loose control. Tight control can be dangerous for individual who are unable to maintain a diet or test themselves frequently. I was a little surprised at what they consider intensive control. They say that such individuals typically test themselves 2-4 times per day. (1-2 for Type II diabetes) Personally, I would never be able to safely maintain my level of control with only with so few tests per day. A few of the suggestions in this book, such as prescription dietary aids, are out of date. Still, this is an excellent overall guide to having a balanced life while living with diabetes.Carol Watkins, M.D.

I read this book the day after my husband was diagnosed with diabetes at an emergency room-his blood sugar was 406. The doctor prescribed a low dose of Glucatrol and set up an appointment to see a specialist. I also read Enter the Zone and The Homocystine Revolution that week. These apparently unrelated books all stressed the insulin reaction to various foods and essentially recommended the same diet. We immediately put their recommendations into practice besides having him fast after 4:00 p.m. daily. His blood sugar count declined each day. At the end of 7 days he suffered a hypoglycemic reaction, so he stopped the medicine. Since then he has taken no medicine and controls his blood sugar strictly by diet. This book was instrumental in him regaining his health! I recommend it to others constantly. I also recommend The Glycemic Revolution is great to know how to choose the right foods and Magic Beans is my cookbook of choice.

OK, so I'm not a diabetic, but I know quite a few people who are.... so I'm a bit curious. I figured I'd do a quick glance through "Diabetes: A Guide to Living Well" and call it a day. I had no idea I would read Dr. Gary Arsham's entire book from start to finish! I was fascinated with the ease of style, the engaging examples and the life saving programs Drs.Arsham and Lowe bring to their audience. An intelligent doctor and a diabetic himself, Gary Arsham has truly found the way to live well with diabetes. I've bought, loaned and/or recommended this book to dozens of acquaintences. All have found the information cutting edge and extremely valuable. Definitely a book to be read by diabetics and non-diabetics alike.... just a bit tough to keep on your bookshelf!!. <<