Living with Diabetes: Dr. Draznin's Plan for Better Health

189 Pages·2008·0.58 MB·English

by  Boris Draznin

Praise for the First Edition
‘‘Boris Draznin is an accomplished scientist and clinician who provides a sound
scientific basis for his unique approach to the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
The emphasis is placed on obesity and lifestyle modifications. Importantly, both
sides of the energy balance equation—food intake and activity—are stressed. The
DrazninMile andDraznin Calorie are practical concepts that make his plan easier to
follow. Dr. Draznin’s numerous patient experiences exemplify his points while
offering a personal and comforting encounter for the reader. An important and
parting note encourages those at risk for diabetes, or with diabetes, to choose phy-
sicians with the knowledge, interest, and time to deal with this important problem.’’
–Robert H. Eckel, M.D., University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
‘‘The prevalence of diabetes and obesity has reached epidemic proportions in
America, leading to an enormous health problem. This new book by Boris Draznin
will be of great help to anyone trying to deal with the problem of excess weight. It is
highly readable, medically correct, and filled with useful, practical advice. Dr.
Draznin carefully explains the basic concepts of calorie balance and weight control
and then goes on to describe a lifestyle program that anyone can adapt to their own
needs. Using his approach people will be able to take charge of their attitudes and
behaviors towards calories and exercise and, thereby, take control of their weight.’’
–Jerrold M. Olefsky, M.D., University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine
‘‘In his book, The Thinking Person’s Guide to Diabetes: The Draznin Plan, Boris
Draznin brings the same wit, excellence, and passion to the reader that he does in
person. The concepts of the Draznin Calorie and the Draznin Mile bring lightness,
reality, and possibility to the chore of day-to-day living with diabetes mellitus. Each
reader will find his or her own path using his approach. I heartily recommend this
book to all people with diabetes.’’
–Gerald Bernstein, M.D., F.A.C.P., Past President, American Diabetes Association
‘‘The Thinking Person’s Guide to Diabetes: The Draznin Plan is written by a world
expert in diabetes and obesity, but is readily accessible by the layman. It gives
practical advice to overweight individuals but is definitely not a fad diet book
because it is founded on evidence-based medicine. This excellent book offers a very
balanced approach to diet and exercise—it’s proven to work.’’
–Derek LeRoith, M.D., Ph.D., Chief of the Division of Endocrinology,
Diabetes, and Bone Disease, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
This page intentionally left blank
Living with
Diabetes
Dr. Draznin’s Plan for Better Health
Boris Draznin, MD, PhD
1
2008
1
Oxford University Press, Inc., publishes works that further
Oxford University’s objective of excellence
in research, scholarship, and education.
Oxford New York
Auckland Cape Town Dar es Salaam Hong Kong Karachi
Kuala Lumpur Madrid Melbourne Mexico City Nairobi
New Delhi Shanghai Taipei Toronto
With offices in
Argentina Austria Brazil Chile Czech Republic France Greece
Guatemala Hungary Italy Japan Poland Portugal Singapore
South Korea Switzerland Thailand Turkey Ukraine Vietnam
Copyright # 2008 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
Published by Oxford University Press, Inc.
198 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10016
www.oup.com
Oxford is a registered trademark of Oxford University Press
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
without the prior permission of Oxford University Press.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Draznin, Boris.
Living with diabetes : Dr. Draznin’s plan for better health / Boris Draznin.
p. cm.
Includes index.
Revised ed. of: The thinking person’s guide to diabetes. 2003.
ISBN 978-0-19-534166-9
1. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes—Popular works. 2. Weight
loss—Popular works. I. Title.
RC662.18.D73 2008
616.4'62–dc22
2007052458
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed in the United States of America
on acid-free paper
Preface to the Revised Edition
Since the year 2003, when the first edition of this book was
published, the epidemic of obesity has continued, unchecked
by heightened public attention, hundreds of articles in scien-
tific and popular periodicals, multitudes of broadcast news
pieces about the dangers of obesity, and an unstoppable pro-
liferation of diet books and dietary advice for children and
adults. Along with obesity, the prevalence of diabetes has also
continued to climb. According to one study from Canada, the
number of people with diabetes in Ontario in 2005 exceeded
that predicted by scientists for the year 2030. Regretfully, we
are twenty-five years ahead of this sobering health prediction,
and we are losing the battle with obesity and diabetes.
While we anxiously await the discovery of a magic pill that
would either effectively and safely curb our appetites or prevent
weight gain in some other way, I offer the Draznin Plan as a
healthy and successful way to prevent and treat diabetes in most
people who make a commitment to follow it.
In this revised edition of the book, I will introduce a few new
steps that will make it even easier for readers to adopt the
Draznin Plan and, with it, a healthier lifestyle. All of the advice
v
vi Preface to the Revised Edition
given to my readers in the first edition still stands: Build an
attainable and practical exercise program of three Draznin
Miles per day and never buy or eat anything that contains more
than 2.5 g of saturated fat or 6 g of sugar per serving.
I sincerely hope this new edition will help more people with
diabetes and prediabetes join the ranks of those who have al-
ready successfully embraced the Draznin Plan and a healthier,
longer life.
B. D.
Denver, Colorado
2007
Preface to the First Edition
Not a week passes by without a story in the news media about
the epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the United
States. These stories appear regularly in major national news
publications and on television. This epidemic is not limited to
the U.S. borders; Canada, England, and other industrialized
nations are experiencing these same intractable health prob-
lems.
This epidemic is real. It is frightening. It has colossal im-
plications for the health of our population and for the health-
care system in general. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are silent
killers responsible for the shortened life expectancy of many
people. One of the most important complications of type 2
diabetes is the acceleration and progression of cardiovascular
disease, leading to heart attack and stroke. Needless to say,
these complications significantly and adversely affect both life
span and quality of life.
At the same time, clinical trials have convincingly demon-
strated that type 2 diabetes can be prevented. One study
showed that modifications in eating habits and activity patterns
effectively prevented diabetes in almost 60% of ‘‘prediabetic’’
vii
viii Preface to the First Edition
patients. We have also learned that weight reduction helps
control blood pressure and cholesterol problems. The old adage
about ‘‘an ounce of prevention’’ takes on new meaning when it
is applied to weight problems and diabetes. Prevention of type
2 diabetes literally saves lives.
Understanding the problem does not necessarily mean that
a solution is at hand, however. Losing weight and maintaining
a new ‘‘reduced’’ appearance is far from being a trivial task. The
sheer number of books offering a ‘‘simple and quick’’ weight-loss
plan tells me (and, it is hoped, you) that the problem is much
more complex than these books imply. Otherwise, we would
have solved the problem of obesity long ago. The truth is, there
is no single recipe for weight loss. Weight maintenance requires
a long-term commitment to a different (therapeutic) lifestyle.
Diabetes and obesity are two chronic conditions that cannot
be cured or even controlled without the patient’s active in-
volvement. This book is meant to offer help to those who are
ready and willing to get involved. My plan for weight loss and
better health, which I’ve aptly named ‘‘the Draznin Plan,’’ is
based upon three principles: scientific facts, an individualized
approach, and unwavering commitment to lifestyle changes.
The lifestyle changes presented in this book will help you attain
your goals—to improve or prevent type 2 diabetes and to
maintain a healthy weight. However, only the combination of
the Draznin Plan with your own personal commitment to my
recommendations will bear the desired fruit. In other words,
here I offer you a simple, easy-to-maintain plan for getting and
staying healthier—actually following the plan will be up to you.
B. D.
Denver, Colorado
2003
Contents
One: At the Beginning 3
A Letter to My Reader 3
An Introductory Case 7
The Origin of the Draznin Plan 11
Two: Our Weight in Numbers 13
Ideal Body Weight and Body Mass Index 14
Obesity Rates Are Climbing 17
Why Are We Becoming More Obese? 20
Obesity and Its Relationship with Diabetes 23
Three: The Law of Conservation of Energy 27
Energy Consumption and Expenditure 28
How Calories Are Absorbed (or Not) 31
How Calories Are Utilized (or Not) 33
Insulin Levels and Activity 34
Four: The Draznin Mile: A New Concept
of Exercise 36
Understanding the Draznin Mile 38
Getting Started 41
Finding Alternative Forms of Exercise 43
ix