Sophie- just be aware that a lot of Beet juice can make you pee red. I had a patient once and we rushed him in for tests as we thought he was. bleeding ..ha..

fasting blood sugar is different than fasting insulin.

I have copied this from the life extension website;

Insulin (fasting)

Item Catalog Number: LC004333

Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas in response to eating carbohydrates. Insulin facilitates the transport of the carbohydrates and sugars from the bloodstream into the cells. Once inside, the sugars are used by the cells to make energy.

Insulin resistance, the hallmark of type II diabetes, occurs with excessive carbohydrate intake. Insulin, in this case, does not work optimally to drive glucose into the cells and tissues … which results in high blood sugar. This has numerous adverse consequences including: cardiovascular disease, nerve damage and kidney problems.

This blood test measures fasting insulin and is helpful in the diagnosis of insulin resistance and type II diabetes. Excess insulin is defined when levels are equal to or greater than 15 µIU/mL … however, Life Extension’s optimal level is less than 5.

This test is included in the following panels:

• Male and Female Weight Loss Panels

A 12-hour fast is required for this blood test. However, drink plenty of water and take your medications as prescribed.

Life Extension is a place where you can do your own blood work. (Lef.org) - they give you a list of places where you can get your blood drawn near you and then you get the results. You can test your own vitamin D, for example if your doc doesn't order it.

i think its very important to note that a low fasting insulin is only "good" when the fasting glucose is within normal range. If that is not the case the issue could be damage to the islet cells that make insulin- this is what is scene in type 1 diabetics they have low or now natural insulin production so blood glucose levels are elevated.

I think its important to study all the facts so appreciate everything here- my issue:I am really struggling with weight issues. My BMI is 23.9 highest its ever been and weight also highest since pregnancy. I walk 2 miles/day every day (to my train and back) take the stairs and take active yoga classes 2-3 times/week. I used to be a nut about sweets but now not as much. I have not had soda on a regular (diet or otherwise) for 10+ years. I don't eat any fast food with the exception of a rare In n Out Burger- about once every 3-6 months. No ice cream, skim milk only, eggs 1-2 x/month, no fried foods, use only butter, eat steel cut oats often and make my own trail mix with cherries, raisins, almonds, peanuts for a "snack" which is 1/4 cup once/day and not every day. I do like carbs but only have whole wheat pasta, brown rice and whole grain bakery bread maybe 3x/week.

I was horrified when I went to my obgyn for my annual check-up to find I was 15 lbs over my high- normal weight. Then I find out I have breast cancer and each time I am weighed I am going up or down 2 up 1- what the heck. I read that you need 15 calories per pound to maintain your weight so I tried to do 10 calories per pound with zero results.

I was having some hot flashes and irregular periods but since my dx I have gained 3 lbs- the hot flashes stopped and I am just at my wits end.

So any advice or analysis would be appreciated. I do have an appt to see a dietician because once I start Tamoxifen I am scared of further weight gain

I'm having similar issues, Wyo: Lost 25 pounds since somewhere in the middle of radiation (mid-March), joyfully dropping my BMI below 30, but above 25, and simply got stuck at the beginning of September.  My method had been a major offensive against my beloved high fat diet, and generally eating lower on the food chain.  This meant lots of whole grain crackers.  My PCP pointed to the whole grains and I, of course, ignored him.  In (more or less) desperation, I recently saw a nutritionist who said those whole grains are problematic weight-wise because they are not the whole grains of previous generations.  Today, there is so much GMO stuff out there that she recommends staying away from any wheat, especially milled whole wheat.  I've found delicious lentil, rice, and weird grain crackers.  We'll see if that helps.  The fact that they're so yummy kind of argues against it, however.  I'm guessing she probably would have nixed your whole wheat bread, and suggested substituting loafs made of other whole grains. To me, however, it sure sounds as though you're doing everything right, especially the two miles/day.

Hi all. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I'm taking the raw and cooked vegetables so I can assure I can load up on veggies and turkey. I will avoid the stuffing and potatoes but I will eat some cranberries and pumpkin pie today despite the sugar.

I've been on vacation so missed a lot of posts but I saw this article so I thought I would post it.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/269290.php

I'm with corky. If you've plateaued consider eliminating the milk products and grains which is a carb load. I switched from breakfasts of oatmeal or greek yogurt to eggs or nuts and lost 10lbs that I couldn't lose for16years post pregnancy.

I also agree with whoever mentioned the restricted eating period of 8 hours. There have been mouse studies recently that show this makes a difference. Eating all day may not be a good idea despite that recommendation in the last few years to eat every three hours.

thanks so much everyone for your thoughtful responses- I am going to ditch the wheat bread- I spent 20 minutes in the bread isle at safeway and ended up with nothing. I did find one called dave's killer that says its organic with no GMO- I am in the part of the world where any kind of diet can be found (San Francisco Bay area) if I could find a good bakery that was organic maybe that? I have organic flower from montana so may have to start baking my own bread that will cut down on how much I eat for sure lol

Okay, sophie I'd add to your list, on top: KALE.

Also, I hear walnuts are better than pumpkin seeds. didn't know about pumpkin seeds vis a vis any other natural nut or seed….

And, I think flax is controversial….I avoid it.

I eat a variety of nuts. We always have walnuts in the house, usually a large, 2-lbs jar. Then I quite often get almonds and/or hazelnuts. I especially like hazelnuts with raspberries, so I eat those with my breakfast most days, either in muesli or in buckwheat pancakes. In addition, I usually have some kind of nut-butter around, right now a cashew one, which I eat on green apple boats with some cinnamon for a snack, if I am hungry in the afternoon.

We do eat wheat bread, but it is from an old-fashioned bakery, where they grind their own wheat and the bread has flour, water, yeast and salt. That's it. It is also very coarse whole wheat. When it gets stale, I soak it a bit, then pure it with walnuts, garlic and olive oil (and a little vinegar to bind it). The Greeks call it skordalia and it is typically eaten with fish, but is also great with veggies or just about any food really.

Selena, good point about the rye bread. Most supermarkets have the German sliced kind, which is not bad. When my mom visits, she always brings a few loaves. Last time she brought one that was rye and chia seeds and it was really good.

Has anyone tried Sulfur as a supplement? I heard it tastes bad but mixed w fruit juice as a shot is tolerable. I haven't tried it yet. A friend mentioned it to me and I looked it up; seems like it would be a good thing to keep the cancer away. Any thoughts would be appreciated before I order some.

Kale itself is a nasty tasting beast.  I've tried a number of times to figure out how to cook it and it's always gross.  However, I have found "baby kale", which isn't as bitter and, when mixed with other salad greens or cooked, is not bad.

I throw the big kale in the juicer with a bunch of other stuff. I can't imagine being brave enough yet to make a salad out of it.

if you don't want supplements for sulphur, things like onions and broccoli are high in sulphur.

I also like mestemacher bread - I know some can't stand it, its an acquired taste but its wheat-free and several of the types are organic with no GMO.

I also found a meat market I am going to drive to this weekend called brentwood fine meats- chicken and beef are free range and hormone free- I have a friend who uses them consistently and gives a good review. I don't eat a lot of meat but once every 1-2 weeks I do like some type of meat.