It IS Possible To Manage Type 1 Diabetes Safely: Ep 121

In this powerful episode of the LowCarbUSA podcast, Doug Reynolds and Pam Devine sit down with Beth McNally and Matt Miernik, the couple behind T1D Nutrition, to discuss their journey with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and the transformative role of nutrition in managing the condition.

Their journey began in 2015 when their son Lachlan was diagnosed with T1D at age 9. After months of frustration with conventional high-carb, insulin-heavy treatments, they adopted a very low-carb diet, which dramatically improved Lachlan's blood glucose stability and brought his A1C levels into the normal range. Now, at 18, Lachlan is a thriving athlete, and Beth and Matt are dedicated to sharing the benefits of therapeutic carbohydrate reduction with others facing similar challenges.

A central theme of the conversation is the recently published Position Paper by The SMHP on therapeutic carbohydrate reduction for type 1 diabetes, to which Beth, Matt, and a team of experts have made significant contributions. This paper will revolutionize T1D management by advocating for therapeutic carbohydrate reduction as a viable, evidence-based option. It calls for healthcare providers to support patients choosing this approach and underscores the importance of continued research and education on low-carb nutritional strategies.

Beth expresses her enthusiasm for the Position Paper, noting its potential to challenge current T1D care practices. With only about 17% of youth and 21% of adults meeting the American Diabetes Association’s A1C target of 7.0, this paper could be a game-changer, providing clinicians with new guidelines and resources to enhance patient outcomes. It advocates for open access and support for those exploring low-carb diets as a therapeutic intervention, signaling a much-needed shift in mindset.

Throughout the episode, Beth and Matt stress how this Position Paper will empower both patients and clinicians, offering a solid foundation for discussing low-carb options within healthcare teams and integrating evidence-backed guidelines into mainstream T1D care. They encourage families to share the Position Paper with their doctors, fostering more comprehensive and supportive care.

The couple also reflects on their involvement in the January 2024 LowCarbUSA Boca Raton Symposium for Metabolic Health, which featured a dedicated Type 1 Day. This event assembled international experts in T1D management, including Dr. Ian Lake, Dr. Suzanne Schneider, Dr. Eric Westman, Dr. Belinda Lennerz, and Dr. Robert Cywes, who shared innovative insights into how nutrition can stabilize blood glucose levels and improve the quality of life for those with T1D. These presentations set the stage for the Position Paper and underscored the need for a low-carb approach to gain wider recognition and support within the medical community.

Matt offers additional insights into why therapeutic carbohydrate reduction is so effective, explaining how reducing carbohydrate intake decreases insulin dependency, leading to more stable blood glucose levels. He compares it to "removing logs from a fire," minimizing the blood glucose fluctuations that make T1D so difficult to manage. This Position Paper will address these scientific principles, equipping clinicians with the knowledge and tools to guide their patients more effectively.

Matt also discusses the phenomenon of "double diabetes," a condition where individuals with type 1 diabetes develop insulin resistance, resembling type 2 diabetes. He explains how the conventional high-carb diet paired with large insulin doses can lead to this dangerous overlap, increasing health risks and complications. By adopting a low-carb approach, insulin needs are minimized, reducing the chances of developing double diabetes and supporting better metabolic health in people with T1D.

Doug and Pam share how eye-opening the Type 1 Day event was for them and other attendees, with many healthcare professionals admitting they gained more insight into T1D management in one day than they had in their entire careers. 

Click here to listen and discover the latest advancements in therapeutic carbohydrate reduction.

Additionally, LowCarbUSA® has released all the Dedicated Type 1 Diabetes Workshop & Presenter videos from the recent LCUSA & SMHP Symposium for Metabolic Health, held in January. This video playlist features expert presentations that explore therapeutic carbohydrate reduction, optimal protein intake, healthy fats, and low-carb strategies for T1D.

Featured speakers in this series include:

• Dr. Èvelyne Bourdua-Roy, MD & Dr. Tro Kalayjian, DO- Workshops intro & Prevailing outcomes in T1D
• Beth McNally, MS MA CNS LDN - Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction (TCR)/Low-carb Diet Implementation for T1D
• Dr. Ian Lake, BSc, BM,MRCGP - Low-Carb in T1D: Getting started, troubleshooting and guidance
• Dr. Belinda Lennerz, MD - Medication & Technology Implementation
• Allison Herschede, BSN, RN, CDCES - Hormonal Challenges for Women with T1D
• Dr. Ian Lake, BSc, BM,MRCGP - Exercise how to & Fasting (intermittent and multi-day)
• Lester Hightower & Beth McNally, MS MA CNS LDN - Parents Perspective - TCR/Low-carb for Type 1 diabetes
• Dr. Eric Westman, MD, MHS - Standard of Care - Advances and challenges in Type 1 diabetes care
• Dr. Jessica Turton, PhD, MND, B.App.Sc (ExSpSc) - Current research on low-carbohydrate diets for Type 1 diabetes management
• Dr. Belinda Lennerz, MD - Children living with Type one Diabetes - Current and future research questions pertaining to therapeutic dietary carbohydrate reduction in children
• Dr. Eric Westman, MD, MHS, Dr. Jessica Turton, PhD, MND, B.App.Sc (ExSpSc), & Dr Belinda Lennerz, MD - Panel Discussion
• Dr. Robert Cywes, MD, PhD - Clinical implementation of low-carbohydrate diets in T1DM – experiences from adults and children
• Dr. Ian Lake, BSc, BM,MRCGP - Exercise and Therapeutic Carbohydrate Reduction – Current research and clinical experiences
• Suzanne Schneider, PhD Researcher, MSc, Bcomm - Cognitive and Psychological Implications of Carbohydrate Reduction in T1DM
• Dr. Robert Cywes, MD, PhD, Dr. Ian Lake, BSc, BM,MRCGP, & Suzanne Schneider, PhD Researcher, MSc, Bcomm - Panel Discussion

These videos are available for free on the LowCarbUSA® YouTube channel in the "Type 1 Workshop - Symposium for Metabolic Health - Boca 2024" Playlist. Explore this valuable resource to gain insights from the leading voices in T1D management and be part of the growing community dedicated to improving outcomes for those living with type 1 diabetes.

Links: T1D Nutrition website