Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars [Hardcover]

Richard K. Bernstein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1997

Richard Bernstein is a legendary figure in the diabetic community, an engineer who developed a revolutionary new method of treating his own diabetes in the 1970s -- and then entered medical school at age forty-five so he could help other diabetics. Despite initial opposition from the medical establishment, Dr. Bernstein's method, which calls for the careful monitoring and control of blood sugar levels, has become the standard treatment for the disease.

Now Dr. Bernstein distills all of his personal experience and medical expertise -- and presents a unique resource book that is destined to become the bible for diabetics everywhere. Covering both adult- and childhood-onset diabetes, this is the only guide that details the Bernstein method, explaining step-by-step how to normalize blood' sugar levels and prevent or reverse complications. Complete with up-to-the-minute information on blood-testing devices and new types of insulin as well as fifty gourmet recipes and a comprehensive discussion of diet, obesity, and new drugs to curb carbohydrate craving, Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution is the one book every diabetic must own.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Bernstein (Diabetes Type Two, Prentice Hall, 1990), a Type I diabetic, begins his book with testimonials from 14 patients praising his methods for controlling diabetes. His most radical departure from established medical practice is his diet plan, which recommends high fat, high protein, and a minimum of carbohydrates advice that conflicts with that given by the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association. Bernstein's exercise regimen also differs from standard practice by advocating anaerobic over aerobic exercise. There is a brief overview of diabetes, and specific supplies and brand names of products for diabetes are recommended. Sick days, the emotional challenges of the disease, pregnancy, and sex are either not included or barely mentioned. Richard Beaser's The Joslin Guide to Diabetes (LJ 7/95) is a far superior choice. Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans Hosp., Tampa, Fla.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Bernstein has had type I (juvenile or insulin-dependent) diabetes for 50 years and has become well known for his unconventional approach to treating both types of the disease. His emphases on almost hour-by-hour normalization of blood sugar and a diet consisting of nearly no carbohydrates and high levels of fat and protein have certainly educed two results: they have alienated many other diabetes specialists and required Bernstein's patients to be meticulous in self-managing their disease. Bernstein begins with some successful case histories, proceeds to basic backgrounding on diabetes, and then describes his treatment plan in considerable detail. He discusses diet, types of insulin and their uses, and the importance of establishing a close relationship with one's physician. He encourages his patients to make frequent visits to his office, makes himself available by phone virtually round the clock, and here includes five appendixes of data and exposition to help patients align their physicians' thinking with his. William Beatty

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown; 1st edition (May 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316093440
• ISBN-13: 978-0316093446
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (96 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #349,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

156 of 158 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eighteen Months Later—Bernstein's Program Works!, November 9, 2001

By 

D. H. Murray (Pittsburgh, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars (Hardcover)

I wrote a review of Dr. Bernstein's book in June of 2000. At that time, I had lost 15 pounds and had normalized my blood sugars using his regimen. Eighteen months later, I am still following his diet and routines. Most of the time my blood sugar is between 75 and 90 and my hemoglobin a1c is 4.6. I visited his office in ... and have had phone contact and occasional visits to his New York office since that time. (I live in Pittsburgh, PA) I have now lost over 55 pounds and kept it off. My cholesterol has improved so that it is normal to low normal. Dr. Bernstein also diagnosed a thyroid condition—which other doctors told me I did not have—and with treatment, I am now in the completely normal range of both T3 and T4 and my energy levels are normal for the first time in years. I do not find the lack of carbohydrates to be that much of a sacrifice, especially considering the damage that high blood sugars can cause. I have found food items that help make up for the lack of regular bread and potatoes (made by Ketogenics) that help when I am hungry for bread, but do not adversely affect my blood sugar. Dr. Bernstein is indeed available 24 hours a day. Last December, I awoke at 2 A.M. with severe vomiting and diarrhea—very serious for diabetics and I called his emergency number. He answered the phone, gave me excellent instructions, and had me contact him every few hours—through Christmas Day—until I had recovered somewhat. I wish doctors in my area would take his treatment and ideas more seriously because they do work. When I have attempted to add extra carbs to my diet, it ALWAYS raises my blood sugar to unacceptable levels (over 110). If I were to eat the diet recommended by the A.D.A., I would have severe problems with my blood sugar, which would in turn affect my cholesterol and my heart. I know because I used their diet and developed diabetes while on it. Low fat, high carb (and I ate mostly complex carbs—whole grains, beans, fruit, carrots, beets) and avoided foods considered to be unhealthy. I liked that food, but it certainly did not help my condition, and I quickly gained weight on it after initially losing weight. I have lost the weight on the Bernstein diet and have NOT regained it. The Bernstein program works for those who follow it. I am very, very grateful I found the book and I still highly recommend it to anyone who is diabetic, is likely to be one or who has a loved one who has the disease.

113 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you or a loved one has diabetes you MUST read this, June 16, 1998

By 

William E. Sadler "wsadler" (Sharpsburg, Ga) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars (Hardcover)

I do long range underwater cave exploration. I cannot afford *any* chance of hypoglycemic reactions, so I've tried to control diabetes w/ diet and exercise. I was loosing. My sugar was averaging 300, fasting at 190-215, peaks after 100% ADA recommended meals from 350-450. Exercising was becoming harder, if not impossible. Started the 0 carb diet on Wed morning. Its now Tue the following week. Fasting sugars are at 117, average is about 100, peaks at about 122. The first day, the average was down 100 points. Its been going down 10 every day since. I used to have to wait 1 or 2 days between 5 mile runs. Starting thr after the diet I did 2 a day. I've run every day since, sometimes twice a day, and have more energy. I think Dr. Bernstein has quite possibly extended my life by 20-40 years. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally some success to control my blood sugars with Dr. B., January 6, 2000

By 

linda stenson (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dr. Bernstein's Diabetes Solution: A Complete Guide to Achieving Normal Blood Sugars (Hardcover)

I had checked out every book on Diabetes Type 2 to try to stay off medications. The doctors, educators and dieticians were no help-none of them believed an obese woman could stay off meds with diet and exercise. I've done it for 2 years but now the numbers were creeping up there and they wanted to start me on glucophage. Dr. Bernstein's was the last book I read-I attacked the plan with zeal and in just 12 days had dropped my average blood sugars from 140 to 124! It was so easy-stay away from carbs-don't eat 60 grams per meal, make it 6 or 12 or 15. My doctor is astounded that I didn't need the rx she gave me. Dr. B. explained all about why I am high in the mornings and how to approach that. He explained about the fast sugars and the slow sugars, and gave me lots of options to try. All the rest of the world keeps telling me to eat more which just keeps driving my sugars higher. With Dr. B. I have found a way to stay off the meds AND I made it through the holiday season with beautiful sugar numbers when everyone else was soaring high. The book contained a lot of specific things I could try to keep those numbers down, not just the conventional drivel you see in every diabetic education course and dietician's plan. He has been on the plan himself for years, so the subject is close rather than just a bunch of #s. If you want to be encouraged to manage this disease yourself, this book is for you. The rest of the medical community won't even take 2 minutes to listen to me because I am overweight, they just plug me into a medication which I don't need. Dr. B. approaches it from the standpoint that you can lick this disease if you just put some effort into it. After a month on the plan, I've had great success controlling my blood sugars and my doc is happy my glycocelated hemoglobin dropped back to 6.5 this last time, thanks to Dr. Bernstein.