RFK Jr.’s FDA chief says diabetics should take cooking classes instead of insulin : nottheonion

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

They get away with this shit because a lot of us don't actually engage them back in places that matter. Sure we all talk here but it's not like we're very visible. Right now, and for the next year, this comment will be shared on all other social media with a gaggle of agreement. But we will forget this by tomorrow. So they can saw say whatever they want really

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

For some reason Millennials decided that engaging them back was bad because it legitimatized them or something.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Seriously, I'm glad I'm not the only one that sees this. As an old head, it's so different. Lefty's today seem very passive. They're twice as vocal but barely any effort. I think they love protesting so much because it lets them go hide in a crowd for a few hours. It's the 5k of civic participation. Maybe coming up in the early days of the internet we all actively engaged and created our own stuff. There weren't content creators we would sit and watch create stuff for us.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

yeah that makes sense put your life in your own hands and die trying versus using proven medicine

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago

Check your privilege, buddy.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (7 children)

Even the sun shines on a dogs ass some days.

He's not wrong, he's just right for the wrong reasons.

90% of diabetics in the US are type 2. 90%.Our food culture is way out of whack, and we need to fix it.

Obviously diabetics still need medical care. But revamping the way we view food will allow many Americans to keep the amount of feet they were born with.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

If one was inclined to fix this epidemic it wouldn’t be by just denying care it would be about educating people, including with free cooking classes, making sure good, healthy foods are plentiful and affordable, it would be about making sure third spaces exist to help people get out of their homes and into their communities to be active and build stronger support systems, it would be about providing medical mentoring and preventive care for free or ultra low cost. He’s not trying to help people with diabetes he’s trying to kill them and why they have diabetes doesn’t matter to him

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

Maybe investigate dishwashing liquid.... Could that stuff be part of the cause for obesity and diabetes?

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 days ago (3 children)

Yes and no for US. We have folks lining up for ice cream at Walmart and jabbing insulin with it. Diabetes is a diet disease (T2). My A1C was north of 15 when diagnosed. I did go the diet route and managed it before 5.7 for 4 years and now finally it's creeping up to 5.9. It's a chronic disease and will get worse with time.

Other issue I find is it is expensive to eat healthy in US. So either we need to provide cheaper healthier option or we need to provide insulin. We cannot take them both away.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Food that's bad for you is often cheap to transport and preserve for long periods. An apple will rot in weeks, but a twinkie can sit on a shelf for years.

The industrialization of agriculture has been highly profitable for a handful of insiders and horrible for everyone else.

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

it is expensive to eat healthy in US

Expensive and inconvenient.

If you're not cooking for yourself, 95%+ of what's available for "low effort" is sugar coated salty fat bombs. That's what "free market" competition in restaurants gets you: hyper-attractive foods.

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[–] [email protected] -3 points 3 days ago (3 children)

I hate to be one to agree, but if he's referring to type 2 diabetes, then it's actually a valid point.

Type 2 is not only preventable but reversable (either completely or enough to massively reduce insulin dependency).

This has been known for a while. Even major diabetes organizations and medical universities say it.

The problem is, good luck convincing someone to switch their diet. And if they wanted to, they may not even be able to afford it.

If it were easy, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity related illnesses would be rare.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (2 children)

Type 2 is not only preventable but reversible (either completely or enough to massively reduce insulin dependency).

They say this works for some, not all individuals.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Yep there is a point of no return.

I hate to say it, because it’s such a swallow-the-spider, but I hope GP1s are able to help humans overcome food marketing and processed food bullshit. I’m on one myself and it helps me make better decisions because my sugar cravings aren’t leading me around by the nose. As a result I hope to avoid diabetes.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Keep at it, it can help prevent. Even if it does not prevent it can make symptoms less severe. Also long sessions of cardio are very helpful, hikes and bike rides can be fun ways to get cardio but treadmill and stationary bike work as well.

Source: ADA volunteer who knows hundreds that manage their levels and symptoms with diet and exercise and some that can't. Became a volunteer after losing a close relative that refused to change lifestyle.

Edit: there/their/they're

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 days ago (1 children)

They say this works for some, not all individuals.

That could be a matter of compliance, obesity, or other factors (i.e. not diet alone).

Regardless, if the majority of people could be helped with lifestyle intervention, then that should be the priority over pharmacological treatment.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Naw, one size fits most is a horrible way to practice medicine. All treatments should be geared to the individuals situation and needs.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Naw, one size fits most is a horrible way to practice medicine.

Um, as human beings, we need a health-promoting lifestyle above all else. Medication should come a long way off from lifestyle intervention for most illnesses, and only as an adjunct to a healthful lifestyle.

The individual protocols can differ, but you aren't going to make anyone well if you aren't focusing on the foundations of health: exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress management.

Type-2 diabetes is considered a lifestyle-related illness for a reason. Treating it with meds first is such a "Big Pharma" way of doing things, and it's so harmful.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Without medication some people will die, others will be permanently disabled. No amount of lifestyle changes will help them with out medication.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Maybe you are misunderstanding, or maybe I'm not explaining it clearly.

With lifestyle related illness (like type-2 diabetes), the "cure" isn't medication, but a change in lifestyle.

The prevention is also based on a healthy lifestyle, not a shortage of medication.

Therefore, if you want to fix a lifestyle related illness, backed by decades of research, then the priority is to get patients to at least practice a healthy lifestyle.

If you don't, then you're fighting a losing battle, and people will be dependent on medication for their entire life.

That's not to say that medication can't be used during the transition phase to a healthy lifestyle, but doctors who only push meds are doing harm.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

T2 is not just a lifestyle related illness.

Some people are genetically predisposed and get T2 no matter what lifestyle changes they make.

Some people have a damaged pancreas and develop T2 no matter what lifestyle changes they make.

Some people with disabilities can't really change their lifestyle.

The lifestyle change first regimen without medication would kill many.

I understand for many, if not most, the lifestyle change is all that is needed, I even advocate lifestyle changes in another comment. I spent 5 years on an organization committee for the ADA's tour de cure and have given presentations on the ADA's Choose your plate, nutrition for life. You don't need to convince me lifestyle changes are important.

I also know many people that developed T2 in spite of a healthy lifestyle. I know people that would be dead if not for their medications because T2 is not just a lifestyle related illness.

Again T2 is not just a lifestyle related illness.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

T2 is not just a lifestyle related illness.

I'm not going to argue this, because I'm repeating what health orgs, researchers, universities, and governments say.

Are meds needed by some? Yes.

Are meds needed for everyone? Research says no, but only if lifestyle is improved.

As one example, obesity is strongly correlated with type-2 diabetes risk. Even just reducing your weight can reduce the amount of insulin you need. That's a good thing. That's in addition to other benefits gained from reducing your weight.

If doctors aren't making this message clear, and if people aren't giving affordable, accessible means to improve their health, then society has failed those people.

There are no downsides to living a healthy lifestyle. Even if you still get sick, your chances of having a better outcome are greater, so we must start there.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 days ago

All true except T2 is not just a lifestyle related illness.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 3 days ago

Another option is semi glutide treatment that makes you avoid alcohol, high carb food and lower your calorie intake.

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[+] [email protected] -10 points 3 days ago (5 children)

As much i love a good trashing of politican the real quote was "Maybe we need to treat more diabetes with cooking classes, not just throwing insulin at people,"

Better diet really could help prevent type 2 diebetes and personally i think prevention is always better solution than treatment.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 days ago

I guess I agree with that in certain contexts. I remember my buddy became a real nutrition expert after his diagnosis. Kind of taught us all about balancing carbs and fiber and reducing sugar, etc.

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