Congratulations to Dr David Unwin who has won the British National Health Service (NHS) Leadership Recognition Award for being the NHS Innovator of the year for delivering real improvements in health and well being for both individuals and communities.

He has been, and continues to promote the benefits of a low carbohydrate management in his patients with Type 2 diabetes.

As the new admin for the No Fructose page, I just have to remind everyone that I have absolutely no qualifications to discuss or recommend specific nutrition advice or manage health problems – Belinda Fettke.

I will be posting articles that I find educational, supportive and challenging with a nutrition and health focus. I am looking forward to providing resources that allow people to question what processed foods we consume in our western diet, and help make decisions on their health.

My first post is a wonderful article on Low-Carb Diets and Diabetes, published in the August Issue of Today’s Dietitian. Special thanks to Franziska Spritzler, RD, CDE for sharing this with me. It is a topic very close to Gary’s heart.

“In a critical review of the literature, Feinman and 25 other doctors and researchers present 12 points of evidence supporting the use of low-carbohydrate diets as the first approach to treating type 2 diabetes and as the most effective adjunct to pharmacology in type 1 diabetes. “We had 26 authors because we wanted to include experts who had [practical] experience using the diet, scientists who understood the basis of the diet, and medical researchers who understood the diet and supported it as a great treatment,” says Feinman, who was lead author of the review. The following summarizes the 12 points of evidence presented by the reviewers:

• Hyperglycemia is the most salient feature of diabetes. Dietary carbohydrate restriction has the greatest effect on decreasing blood glucose levels.
• During the epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes, caloric increases have been due almost entirely to increased carbohydrates.
• Benefits of dietary carbohydrate restriction don’t require weight loss.
• Although weight loss isn’t required for benefit [in glycemic control], no dietary intervention is better than carbohydrate restriction for weight loss.
• Adherence to low-carbohydrate diets in people with type 2 diabetes is at least as good as adherence to any other dietary interventions and is frequently significantly better.
• Replacement of carbohydrate with protein is generally beneficial [to glycemic control].
• Dietary total and saturated fat don’t correlate with risk of cardiovascular disease.
• Plasma saturated fatty acids are controlled by dietary carbohydrate more than by dietary lipids.
• The best predictor of microvascular and, to a lesser extent, macrovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes is glycemic control (HbA1c).
• Dietary carbohydrate restriction is the most effective method (other than starvation) of reducing serum triglycerides and increasing high-density lipoprotein.
• Patients with type 2 diabetes on carbohydrate-restricted diets reduce and frequently eliminate medication. People with type 1 usually require lower insulin doses.
• Intensive glucose lowering by dietary carbohydrate restriction has no side effects comparable with the effects of intensive pharmacologic treatment.

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/0816p24.shtml

Vested Interest Disclaimer – This food pyramid is part of our Nutrition for Life message which is about eating food that is fresh, seasonal and local, and as a result, lower in highly processed foods. We encourage following Low Carbohydrate, Healthy Fat principles for people who want to take back control of their health, especially if you have Type 2 diabetes. I am the proud cofounder of the Nutrition for Life Centre and want to acknowledge that I have a vested interest in promoting the health of our community in Tasmania. The dietitians, nutritionists and diabetes educator at Nutrition for Life always work with your own health professional to make sustainable dietary changes. ‪#‎nutritionforlife‬

 https://www.facebook.com/belindanofructose/photos/a.407869679307489.94446.393958287365295/1091716627589454/?type=3

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My husband, Dr. Gary Fettke No Fructose, has been silenced and so, from today, his Facebook page will become Belinda Fettke No Fructose.

There has been an AHPRA investigation into Gary’s qualifications to give nutritional advice and speak on the science of what we eat and its central role in our health. This investigation has been going on for over 2 years and a ‘caution’ has been proposed. Until the case is finalised he will have to abide by the law to maintain his professional registration, and to come back another day.

The Medical Board of Tasmania under the umbrella of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulatory Authority have advised him, ”In particular that he does not provide specific advice or recommendations on the subject of nutrition and how it relates to the management of diabetes or the treatment and/or prevention of cancer.”

Gary is not allowed to comment on the central role of nutrition in preventative health, nor in the management of chronic illness on any social media platform.

Gary has been silenced and cannot discuss nutrition with his patients in any clinical setting, regardless of any undue stress on joints before replacement, inflammation, or even diabetes complications requiring amputation.

Gary is not allowed to speak at any public or professional meetings that involve the discussion of nutrition.

It is IMPORTANT to note: Gary has NOT BEEN CAUTIONED on what he has been advocating with regards to LCHF – Low Carbohydrate Healthy Fat living, nor in regards to lowering carbohydrate intake in diabetes management.

Gary has not been cautioned on what he has been advocating with regards to considering the health benefits of real food that is fresh, seasonal and local.

Gary has not been cautioned on what he has been advocating with regards to the central role of nutrition in health.

Gary has, however, been criticised that his interpretation of his ‘research into a topic’ is not the same as AHPRA’s.

Gary will be questioning the proposed ‘caution’ but until there is a final finding from AHPRA he will have to abide by the law and not communicate on Social Media and by inference, to his patients. That will be difficult for him as he sees the benefits every working day for his patients that adopt better eating habits.

This scenario has been similar to the case of Professor Tim Noakes in South Africa. Tim and Gary have been communicating regularly. The difference between the cases is that Gary has been judged behind closed doors and Tim’s has been in courtrooms.

Gary’s investigation was the result of an anonymous notification and throughout the process he remains unaware of the peers that are judging him. It seems a strange system, where you are guilty until proven innocent, but he hopes to have the opportunity to make representation at some time before the final judgement.

Unfortunately, at this time, AHPRA have determined that Gary, as a doctor must not continue to question the paradigm in an open forum. It won’t stop him researching though, and strengthening his knowledge base.

It concerns me that all manner of people can give advice on the internet, and by definition, I have become one of them.

I have been on this journey with Gary and have my own opinion on matters related to health. By qualification to comment, I have none. My previous work as a Registered Nurse is unlikely to give me any expertise, but, like so many people living the LCHF life, I have seen the benefits in myself and those around me for many others who have decided to Choose Health.

So, if you are interested in helping me continue to question the science, promote the role that Low Carb Healthy Fat principles play in both the management and the prevention of disease, and would like to help me be to become louder than ever before, please join me as the voice of No Fructose.

Remembering that it is now my voice, anything written/said is not to be taken as individual advice for health conditions. I would always encourage you to see your doctor or health professional to individualise treatment and lifestyle advice.

www.nofructose.com will similarly be taken over by me 🙂

My Declaration of Interest – I am the very proud Co-founder of Nutrition for Life in Tasmania. We offer face to face appointments at our clinics in both Launceston and Hobart, and regularly Skype clients in rural Tasmania and Interstate. We have the most amazing team of health professionals and support staff. and they are making a difference in people’s lives.

#wecantwait

https://www.facebook.com/thegaryscience/photos/a.407869679307489.94446.393958287365295/1089798877781229/?type=3

Nutritional ketosis might be where you want to go for a variety of health reasons including weight loss, sports performance, cancer management and tight control of diabetes, particularly with women diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Lowering carbohydrate intake will mean the body looks at the alternate fuel sources of healthy fats and protein. It takes most people a couple of weeks to transition and that can be no problem or occasionally unpleasant. For me, I had no issues at all.

“I don’t eat grains at all; no bread, no pasta, no bagels. I definitely don’t eat whole grains. Yes I said it. I. Do. Not. Eat. Whole. Grains. And I’m proud of it.”

“Grains are high in calories, low in nutrition, and they’re completely unnecessary in the human diet.”

Looks like I found someone with a similar thought process. More nutrition in red meat than grains. Check the comparison out.

Obesity and osteoporosis are clearly linked – inflammation is a part of both. Add in poorer balance and that means more falls.

Bariatric surgery does not mean good nutrition and over a period of years (in this study) along comes higher fracture rates than people that did not have surgery.

Paleo is bad, dangerous, unproven, expensive and there is no literature to support the use in Diabetes. Just nonsense.

Paleo has many definitions and the trouble is that it gets misinterpreted and misquoted. I personally do not ‘do Paleo’ but the concept of reducing processed foods ends up being Low Carb and Healthy fat. It’s about getting the energy and micronutrients right rather than focusing in on food groups.

Alas, another day of misinformation fueled by the media and I suspect, the processed food industry.

Its alright for an Orthopaedic Surgeon in Sweden to recommend LCHF. It’s also interesting to read his story of personal health as part of his awakening.

I seem to end up trying to talk many patients out of surgery. Strange behaviour from a surgeon.

This is consistent with the higher rates of dementia associated with diabetes and obesity. This study looks at imaging showing ‘older’ brains for age matched controls.

Another good reason to get leaner and healthier.

http://medicalxpress.com/news/2016-08-brains-overweight-people-ten-years.html

https://www.facebook.com/thegaryscience/posts/1088490371245413

Virtually every person becomes a victim of the system when diagnosed with cancer. They become what I call ‘medical tourists’.

All control is lost as you travel around from specialist to specialist, clinic to clinic, appointment to appointment, always fearing the worst whilst awaiting test results. You are anxious and so is your family around you.

You have lost control. It’s not a good time.

What if there is something you can do to alter the outcome? What can you do to have some input into your well-being?

This recent study out of JAMA Oncology shows a 36% less likely chance of recurrence in women that fast more than 13 hours regularly. That can mean having an early dinner and then just not eating until breakfast.

The women that fared better also ended up having more sleep, better blood glucose control and lower markers of inflammation.

http://oncology.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2506710

Other literature has shown that good blood glucose control is associated with lower cancer risk and better outcomes. Inflammation is a major component in the cancer model. Improving these factors is not a bad thing in cancer management.

Was the fasting the factor or was it the better blood glucose control in this study that made the difference? It will take a long time to work that out from further research.

In the meantime, skipping that evening snack (and particularly the sweets, biscuits, etc) and getting a good night sleep makes perfect sense.

Healing of tissue happens in the deep sleep cycles. Melatonin levels and Interleukin -6 are tied up in this mechanism. http://press.endocrine.org/doi/full/10.1210/jcem.85.10.6871

All of this ties in with the Metabolic Model of Inflammation and Cancer. Cutting back on sugar, refined carbohydrate and polyunsaturated oils. Throw in some fasting and a positive attitude. http://www.nofructose.com/health-issues/cancer/

Taking control of your diet, skipping the night snack and getting some extra sleep has NO COST and NO SIDE EFFECTS. Importantly it gives you some input into your cancer management.

It gives you back some control. That’s a good thing as you travel around as a ‘medical tourist’. You might even have some input into your destination.

https://www.facebook.com/thegaryscience/photos/a.407869679307489.94446.393958287365295/1084838298277287/?type=3