5 Responses

1. Concerned Citizen

   2010 Aug 03 1

   This poorly written and researched book is typical of the “hype” that is continually fed to the American public — EVERYTHING is a crisis! EVERYTHING (from terrorism to the food we eat) is an epidemic! We are bad, and we need to change our behavior — FAST, or some terrible disaster will befall us.

   If you study the history of fads in the US, you find a disturbing trend to demonize food, or to believe that if you eat a certain way (all meat, no meat, vegan, low carbs, no carbs, etc.), then all will be well…you will live forever and your life will be perfect.

   There is also an alarming tendency to blame people for their own health problems. It is rare to hear anyone be so heartless and cruel as to blame someone for getting cancer, but just listen to the self-righteous lecturing when author Francine Kaufman blames the overweight for developing diabetes!

   I write this as someone who has so much diabetes in her family, that almost every relative of mine has this disease…at least 90%. So I take it very seriously, read everything I can on the illness and try to live as healthy a lifestyle as I can. But — it’s still an illness. My family history shows that it is clearly HEREDITARY, and not entirely due to lifestyle. A number of my family members who became diabetic (Type 2) were NOT obese…some were slightly overweight and others actually slim.

   One thing utterly ignored by this poorly researched book is that slim people can and do develope Type II diabetes, especially with age. And that the majority of overweight individuals do NOT have diabetes.

   There is obviously a link between Type II diabetes and extra weight, but the most advanced research indicates that diabetes is a far more complex disease than people previously thought….the failure of the bodies complex system of managing carbs and sugars, insulin, etc. begins years before diabetes is diagnosable. I believe, along with many researchers, that it is this long period of insulin surges that causes vulnerable individuals with a genetic pre-disposition to have huge appetites and overeat, thus becoming overweight. The overweight may be a signal that something is indeed wrong metabolically with an individual, and should be managed. However, blaming the patient (i.e., he or she is a “fat pig” and needs to deny themselves every kind of good tasting food, plus do punishing excercise) is wrong and is guaranteed to fail, as is ANY medical diagnosis that is based on blame and moral judgement, instead of science.

   The biggest problem fueling the “diabetes” crisis is that 45 million Americans do not have access to health insurance, and therefore, have no medical care of any kind. This means they can’t have the checkups, diagnosis, insulin, diabetes monitors, etc. that are essential to treating the disease…hence, their disease goes unchecked until it becomes a life-threatening crisis. This is intolerable in a civilized nation! This is the problem we need to be addressing, not blaming people and trying to shame them for having an illness.

   I am heartily sick and tired of this kind of book, which exploits the sick and suffering of human beings, just to sell copies and comes up with “cute” names like “Diabesity” to describe serious medical conditions.

   If you are interested in genuine diabetes research on the cutting edge, or having serious concerns about yourself or a family member in this regard, please read some better researched and less commercial books on this subject.
   Rating: 1 / 5

2. L.C. Evans

   2010 Aug 03 2

   The author has done a superb job explaining how poor diet leads to obesity, insulin resistance, and then the devastation of diabetes. She tells about real people and how their lives were changed forever after they developed diabetes. Yes, there is a genetic component for some, but for far too many the cause is the typical poor diet that includes fried foods, sweets, and sugary drinks. She cites research and calls for action in stopping the threat to our health.

   Dr. Kaufman comes across as compassionate and caring. The book is easy to understand. Simply put, the human body is not engineered to take in so much sugar. Life threatening problems will develop if we don’t behave more sensibly.

   One of the most important parts of the book to me is the detailed description of exactly what it’s like to live with diabetes and have to test one’s blood sugar many times a day and be constantly on the alert for high or low readings that can lead to complications or death.

   This book is a must read for those who already have the disease, as well as for those who want to avoid ever getting diabetes or insulin resistance.
   Rating: 5 / 5

3. B. H. Church

   2010 Aug 03 3

   I do wellness coaching for clients presenting with metabolic syndrome and Type II diabetes. This is an issue of personal significance to me. My dad died at age 56 of diabetes-related heart disease that could have been controlled through diet and lifestyle… many of my close relatives have died too young from diseases that could have been controlled through diet and lifestyle.

   This book addressed the medical crisis of obesity and diabetes, factually and compassionately.

   Diabesity is a call to personal responsibility. Dr. Kaufman does a good job of connecting the dots. If you eat this way or live that way – down the road – these are the possible consequences. The good news is, simple lifestyle adjustments can dramatically change the outcome.
   
   Rating: 5 / 5

4. concerned citizen

   2010 Aug 03 4

   A great book which is a must read for everyone. Tells us all what we must do to reverse the major killer in our country… obesity and diabetes. The stories about patients really make the message readible and easy to grasp.

   thanks Dr. Kaufman…. you will save lives.

   Rating: 5 / 5

5. Linda Smith

   2010 Aug 03 5

   My doctor recommended this book. It is excellent. Very well written and very informative. Everyone who has been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes or if you have child that runs the risk of developing diabetes needs to read this book.
   Rating: 5 / 5