Which Type 1 book should I buy?

[bisous]

So I'm a total bookworm but I haven't been able to find any of the highly recommended "D" books in any of our public libraries. I actually spent a little time with the reference librarians and felt confident that they would soon add some of the more popular titles but after more than a month of waiting, I'm ready to READ! I'm thinking of asking for a D book for Mother's Day but can probably only afford one.

If you could buy only ONE book which would it be?

I've already exhausted the Pink Panther book and have read Cheating Destiny (the library DOES have that one) but I was thinking about one of the following:

Pumping Insulin, Using Insulin, Think like a Pancreas, or Type 1 Diabetes.

Here is what I'm looking for. I would like more complicated information about how the pancreas works in a "normal" individual versus a person with D.
I'd really like to know some of the more practical steps about day to day management. I've gleaned a lot from reading on this forum but I'd like to be able to really read the specific information. I feel like I have so many factors out of whack and I'd love to figure out which to nail down first. I really want to know certain foods and how to really bolus perfectly for them. I've got to figure out how to avert lows with active insulin on board. You get the picture, (I hope!). I think that I am really leaning towards Pumping Insulin.

What do you guys think?

Thanks,

Jen

[thebestnest5]

I have all 6 of the books that you mention in your post.

My favorite (yes, it's hard to pick a favorite) is Type 1 Diabetes, by Hanas. I like it better, simply because he writes about children and not adults.

I don't think you'd go wrong with any of the books that you are wondering about purchasing.

You might want to also check out reviews of all the books on Amazon to see if that gives you any insight.

Here's the link to reviews for Type 1 Diabetes.

http://www.amazon.com/Type-Diabetes-Adolescents-Adults-Caregivers/dp/1569243964/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210221656&sr=8-1

[Pavlos]

My favorite (yes, it's hard to pick a favorite) is Type 1 Diabetes, by Hanas. I like it better, simply because he writes about children and not adults.


I second your choice!

[liasmommy2000]

I think all of those are good though.

However if your library doesn't have these books in their system they should be able to order them from another library via interlibrary loan. I had to throw that in as I work in interlibrary loan lol. The library I work for doesn't have many of these but I've ordered them that way to preview etc.

[Gaia]

I had the same problem w/ my library. They had an ADA and a Joslin book, lots of cookbooks, but nothing 'easy' to read. Ebay & Amazon or even half.com have quite a few but buying books is just not in our budget right now ( w/ gas & food prices, its enough of a struggle getting those! ) I had my library order 'Think like a Pancreas' thru interlibrary loan and Im waiting for that to come in. But none of the librarys in our system had "Using Insulin". As I said before, the above sites have quite a few, starting as low as $3.50 before shipping. ( I window shop online. Cant buy, just look lol ) Your best bet is to search the book title, then check the "Buy It Now" tab on the left. Then if you put the page in order from lowest to highest, its easier to compare prices. A friend of mine does buy thru the auctions at times but then theres no guarantee & Id assume that sometimes you pay more than you really wanted to. Good luck and I hope this helps a little! :cwds:

[Mary Lou]

I just noticed on Amazon that they have a couple of used copies of Hana's book for $5.00....

It is hard to pick a favorite. I've read so many, and quite a few that aren't worth the paper. I really like the "Think like a Pancrease" it has a lot of practical information and is easy to read, but I'm not sure it would meet your goals at this time.

[twodoor2]

Also check out the new "Diabetes Book Clu*b" forum in CWD.:D

[bisous]

Thanks for the replies! I think that the Hanas book might be perfect. I do like that it is focused on children!

Oh and about interlibrary loan, I had originally inquired about that possibility but I was informed that it costs $5 per book and you can only keep the book for a month. Honestly, that seems like it would be totally useless to those of us that are cash-strapped and would like to preview before we buy--especially if you can outright BUY a copy for much less than that. :)

Thanks!

[selketine]

I haven't seen the Hanas book but I have the others. I really like Pumping Insulin if you want to get into the nitty gritty details of pump management/formulas and all that. Think Like a Pancreas will get you there too.

I'm sure all three are worth having but I'd get Pumping Insulin. Make sure you get the new edition.

[Rick]

Jen,
If you PM me your address I'll send you Type 1 Diabetes, by Hanas.

[Nightowl]

Hello,
"Think Like a Pancreas" is great. I also want to recommend two books that I have found invaluable. First, "Diabetes Solution" by Richard K. Bernstein, MD and "Protein Power" by Michael Eades, MD and Mary Dan Eades, MD. "Diabetes Solution" gives great advice on how to truly normalize your child's blood sugar so that they don't have any increased risk for future complications. It really is the only diabetes book that does that. I must warn you that it runs counter to the advice given by the American Diabetes Association on diet, but facts are facts and the medical research on complications risks supports the need to fully normalize blood sugars. The book also explains the physiology of how your body functions on a low carb diet and why that is the best diet for diabetics and the population in general. Another thing I will warn you about is that Bernstein doesn't like the pump. I don't think his reasons for opposing the pump are valid. My child uses the pump and hasn't experienced any of the problems Bernstein comments on and the research is clear that children can achieve superior control on the pump. Anyway, Bernstein lays a good foundation for what we are all trying to do - move our children to as close to normal blood sugars as we possibly can. The second book, "Protein Power," is not specifically a diabetes book, but it goes into great detail about the physiology of metabolizing protein, fats and carbs and the dangers of having constantly high levels of glucose and insulin in the blood.
Anyway, I hope you find this information helpful. I purchased many books after my child was diagnosed. Most of the books were redundant. You are wise to "check out" the books before you buy. Good luck.

[bisous]

Rick I sent you a PM! Thanks!

Nightowl, the books you listed seem interesting. Is Dr. Bernstein the one from Cheating Destiny? I can't remember his name but the whole low-carb diet, anti pump stance seems familiar. I don't think I feel comfortable having my child on a low carb diet as he is only 4 years old and growing but I'm always interested in reading other perspectives. Maybe I'll search my library catalog for those titles. Sometimes I've found that they have a better selection of newer titles than "old classics" if you will.

[bisous]

Yep I just checked. My library DOES have the Bernstein book and "Protein Power" go figure!

[Nightowl]

Hi Bisous,
I would love to get your perspective on the low carb diet. Since my child was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes I have done nothing but research the disease and nutrition. I have read every medical study I can get my hands on. It seems to me that a low carb diet is the only way to go. Since my child eats so few carbs and injects only tiny amounts of insulin the margin of error is miniscule. His levels are very steady all day and all night. I cannot even remember the last time he had to take a tablet because he felt a low coming on. I am yet to find a study that indicates that a low carb high protein diet causes problems in healthy kidneys. In fact, the research overwhelmingly shows that it is high levels of carbs which result in high levels of insulin that is the culprit behind all the cardiovascular disease and the development of kidney disease. My child has a wonderful lipid profile and he eats a lot of protein and fat. I am still searching for studies that show otherwise. In fact, at an international diabetes symposium last year, a doctor presented all the latest research showing that the high carb diet recommended by the ADA is harmful to diabetics. She discusses the risks of elevated A1cs (the ADA's recommendation that some children should be in the 8s is not good) and how those can only be brought down to truly "normal" non-diabetic range through a low carb diet. Her speech was very informative. I will try to post the link to her speech. Also, I can't find any research indicating that a low carb diet is not nutritious. The human body did evolve over millions of years on a high protein, high fat (including saturated fats), and low carb diet. The body converts protein into glucose to supply the needs of the body. Anyway, I am in the same boat as everyone else on this forum and I want to get this right. I would love to discuss this issue with you and anyone else. I don't want to miss anything because as we all know the stakes are too high. Every dietician I talk to tells me that my son should be eating at least 300 grams of carbs. I simply don't believe it. I feel like I know too much and I see how much easier his life is and how much more energy he has on the low carb diet.

[twodoor2]

I just purchased a book "What to Eat If You Have Diabetes - The Healing Foods that Help Control Your Blood Sugar." It has a lot of common sense advice, and does not advocate low carbs. It's also geared towards both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. It mentions the fact that Type 1 diabetics are low in certain minerals and discusses those. I have no review yet.

[twodoor2]

Rick I sent you a PM! Thanks!

Is Dr. Bernstein the one from Cheating Destiny?

Yes, that's him, and he's very controversial.:)

[Sarah Maddie's Mom]

Ragnar Hanas' Type 1 Diabetes is a necessary reference imo.

On the low carb diet I would do extensive research on children and carb needs before I started that with a developing brain. I don't know at what age kids can begin to reduce carb intake safely. In the meanwhile, a good GI book would help steer you toward "better" carbs. ( Mine is pretty weak so I won't recommend but there seem to be many on the book self now)

[Jensmami]

Right after Jenny was diagnosed, a diabetic older gentleman, told me that the one book I have to get was "How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine" from Michael Murray. So far I stuck with Pink Panther, Pumping Insulin, Thinking like a Pancreas and Hanas's book. And I like all of them. But I will study the one from Michael Murray too, to see what I can do complimentary to the school medicine.

Did anyone heard of Michael Murray?

[momandwifeoftype1s]

There is a new version of the Pink Panther book that I like. Here is the link to then online version. You can also order a hard copy. Our endo gave us a new version at our last appointment. http://www.uchsc.edu/misc/diabetes/ud11.html

[Nightowl]

Hi,
Bernstein is controversial, but that doesn't mean he isn't right. He is controversial because his philosophy runs counter to the ADA recommendations. He thinks all diebetics, even children, are entitled to normalized blood sugar. Frankly, that's what I want for my child. The ADA accepts that kids will develop complications and just plans for them. From what I've learned, it's clear that the disease has no compassion. It doesn't care if a diabetic is 5 months old, four years old, or 76 years old. If you have elevated blood sugars and elevated insulin levels you have a significantly higher risk for complications. Even five years after diagnosis. I have done extensive research on the subject. In fact, that is basically all I do now because we are so invested in getting the diet right. I have not read anything that would indicate that children don't do well on a low carb diet. Please let me know of any studies that show otherwise. Children need some carbs because they occur naturally in vegetables and other whole foods, but children don't need a certain amount of carbs to grow. There is no such thing as an essential carb. It seems children have the most to gain on a low carb diet, as they will be diabetic for more years of their lives. Bernstein claims that it has long been known that elevated blood sugars adversely affect growth in children. The ADAs recommendations for target blood sugars for children are way out of line with current research. Within the last few months, even the ADA was forced to acknowledge that diabetics with cardiovascular disease could benefit from a low carb diet. The point is all diabetics could. On a high carb diet children can't achieve normalized blood sugars. The spikes can't be avoided. In fact, I recently read about a new GlycoMark blood test (just now available) that has been designed to test for just the postprandial spikes. They claim it could be more relevant in predicting complications risks than the A1c. The GlycoMark research released in conjunction with the new blood test states that even with A1cs in the 6s, too many post prandial spikes are greater than 160 mg/dl, which is too high. Current insulin therapy simply can't catch up to the post meal spikes of a high carb meal.

[StillMamamia]

I just noticed on Amazon that they have a couple of used copies of Hana's book for $5.00....

It is hard to pick a favorite. I've read so many, and quite a few that aren't worth the paper. I really like the "Think like a Pancrease" it has a lot of practical information and is easy to read, but I'm not sure it would meet your goals at this time.



Be careful with the cheaper ones...I got caught...I ended up with an older version of Hanas' book...and the new one:(