Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes
1

@HowicuredAI what is in the database about the treatment of type 2 diabetes?

2

In the forum database itself (including this thread “Type 2 Diabetes”) as of today there are still no concrete descriptions of T2D treatment from books or posts – there is only your opening question starting the topic.

However, in the “books” I have access to, there is quite a lot of diabetes‑related content, mainly:

  1. “The Complete Guide to Fasting – Jason Fung & Jimmy Moore”

    • Main idea: type 2 diabetes is to a large extent a disease of excess insulin and excess energy, not a “lack of medication.”
    • Approach:
      • various intermittent fasting protocols (16–8, 24 h, 36 h, 42 h) and longer fasts (7–14 days) under medical supervision,
      • fasting + low‑carb / ketogenic diet as a way to lower insulin, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce body weight,
      • the author describes cases of T2D remission (discontinuation of insulin/medications) with well‑conducted fasting.
    • Very strong emphasis on:
      • close cooperation with a doctor when reducing medications (especially insulin, sulfonylureas),
      • monitoring blood glucose and blood pressure.

  2. Materials on low‑fat, plant‑based diet (Kaiser Permanente / Craig McDougall, Hans Diehl, Michael Pollan)

    • Brochure on low‑fat, whole‑foods, plant‑based diet:
      • lots of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes,
      • minimization / elimination of: meat, dairy, eggs, oils, sweets, processed foods.
    • Declared effects (according to the authors):
      • reduction in blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol,
      • possible “reversal” of type 2 diabetes in some people,
      • improved body weight, lower need for medications.
    • This is a “high‑carb, low‑fat, plant‑based” approach.

  3. “The 80/10/10 Diet – Douglas Graham” (excerpts)

    • Extremely plant‑based, raw approach:
      • about 80% of calories from carbohydrates (mainly fruit), 10% from protein, 10% from fat,
      • zero animal products, zero processed foods, no supplements.
    • The author claims that such a diet can improve many chronic diseases (including metabolic ones), but in the available excerpts there is no detailed protocol specifically for T2D – it’s more a general philosophy of “true health” through a raw plant‑based diet.

  4. Naturopathic / iridology materials on diabetes (“Diabetes Mellitus, Iridology & the Endocrine System”)

    • They describe T2D as resulting from:
      • long‑term poor diet (sugar, saturated fats, processed foods, sugary drinks),
      • dehydration, lack of exercise,
      • sometimes genetic burden and “receptor insulin resistance.”
    • Approach:
      • changing the diet to whole, unprocessed foods,
      • limiting sugar, white flour, trans fats,
      • support with herbs, improved hydration, working on the “terrain” (acid‑base balance),
      • iridology as a tool for assessing burdens (this is already very alternative).

  5. Various “health” books/guides (recipes, anti‑inflammatory diets, Dr Sebi guide, etc.)

    • They are not written specifically about T2D, but:
      • they promote anti‑inflammatory, minimally processed food,
      • recipes with lots of vegetables, healthy fats, anti‑inflammatory spices (turmeric, ginger, cinnamon),
      • Dr Sebi Nutritional Guide – a list of “allowed” plants, grains, oils in his cleansing/alkalizing system.
    • In the context of diabetes: this is more background – general metabolic support, reduction of inflammation, improvement of body weight.

Summary of what these “books” say about treating / improving type 2 diabetes:

  1. Diet as the main tool

    • Two opposing camps:
      • low‑carb + fasting (Fung) – lowering insulin, “defatting” the liver and pancreas, often rapid improvement in blood glucose;
      • high‑carb, low‑fat, plant‑based (McDougall / Diehl / 80/10/10) – lots of starch/fruit, little fat, improved insulin sensitivity by reducing fat in the cells.
    • Common ground:
      • zero/little added sugar,
      • zero/little ultra‑processed food,
      • lots of “whole” foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains or – in the low‑carb version – vegetables + protein + healthy fats).

  2. Fasting / restricting the eating window

    • “The Complete Guide to Fasting – Jason Fung & Jimmy Moore”:
      • intermittent and longer fasting as a tool for T2D remission,
      • necessarily with reduction/monitoring of medications under a doctor’s supervision.

  3. Lifestyle

    • Exercise, sleep, stress – in the books this appears as a “must have,” but detailed protocols are rather in the scientific literature than in the cited excerpts.

  4. Herbs / supplements

    • In the available book excerpts from the forum database there is still no solid, systematic review of herbs/supplements specifically for T2D (berberine, gymnema, cinnamon, etc. – I have that from general knowledge, not from these specific files).

If you want, in the next post I can prepare a “mega answer” on type 2 diabetes, where I will:

  • separately describe:
    • what these books say (fasting, plant‑based diets, raw, naturopathy),
    • what modern conventional medicine says (metformin, GLP‑1, remission through weight loss, bariatric surgery, etc.),
    • what follows from newer research (up to 2024),
  • and compare: where they agree, where they contradict each other, and what the pros/cons of each approach are.

Let me know if this is what you mean and whether you are more interested in:

  • T2D remission,
  • or “only” better blood sugar control while on medication.
3

@HowicuredAI yes, write a mega answer and compare it with current research on the latest effective diabetes therapies

4

Below is the “mega answer” – everything that could be pulled from books, and then from research and conventional medicine. At the end there’s a short comparison of approaches and practical conclusions.

1. What the “books” in the database say about type 2 diabetes

1.1. Fasting and low‑carb / keto diet

Main source:

  • “The Complete Guide to Fasting – Jason Fung & Jimmy Moore”

Main assumptions:

  • T2D = a disease of excess insulin and excess energy (fat in the liver and pancreas, chronic hyperinsulinemia).
  • Treatment should:
    • lower insulin levels,
    • “empty” energy stores (visceral fat, liver fat),
    • improve insulin sensitivity.

Tools:

  1. Intermittent fasting

    • 16/8, 20/4, 24 h, 36 h, 42 h – repeated several times a week.
    • In the clinical version Fung also uses longer fasts of 7–14 days, but:
      • only under strict medical supervision,
      • with medication adjustments (especially insulin, sulfonylureas).

  2. Low‑carb / ketogenic diet

    • Few carbohydrates (especially starch and sugar), more fat and protein.
    • The goal is to:
      • reduce post‑meal blood glucose,
      • reduce insulin requirements,
      • enter ketosis (fat burning).

  3. Reducing / discontinuing medications

    • The book strongly emphasizes: you must not fast on your own while on insulin / strong drugs without a doctor.
    • It describes cases of T2D remission (stopping insulin, reducing/stopping other drugs) after:
      • several months of combining fasting and low‑carb diet,
      • major weight loss.

Pros according to the author:

  • Rapid improvement in blood glucose and body weight.
  • Possibility of T2D remission (normal HbA1c without medication).

Risks / notes:

  • Hypoglycemia if medication doses are not adjusted.
  • Need to monitor blood pressure, glucose, electrolytes.
  • Not for everyone (pregnancy, T1D, eating disorders, etc. – described in the chapter “Who Should Not Fast?”).

1.2. Plant‑based, low‑fat (high‑carb) diets

Sources:

  • Kaiser Permanente brochure / Craig McDougall, Hans Diehl, quotes from Michael Pollan
    (“The Plant-Based Diet: a healthier way to eat” – Healthy Living Program brochure)
  • “MASTER PLANTS – Margarita Restrepo & Michele Lastella”
  • “The 80/10/10 Diet – Douglas Graham” (excerpts)

1.2.1. Low‑fat, whole‑foods, plant‑based (Kaiser / McDougall / Diehl)

Assumptions:

  • Diet:
    • lots of: vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes,
    • little / zero: meat, dairy, eggs, oils, sweets, processed foods.
  • Very low fat (often <10–15% of calories).

Declared effects (from the brochure):

  • Reduction of:
    • cholesterol,
    • blood pressure,
    • blood sugar.
  • Reversal / improvement of:
    • heart disease,
    • type 2 diabetes (in some people).
  • Lower body weight, fewer medications.

Mechanism according to the authors:

  • Excess dietary fat → fat in muscle and liver cells → insulin resistance.
  • Lowering fat intake → improved insulin sensitivity, even with higher carbohydrate intake (from whole foods).

1.2.2. Raw 80/10/10 diet (Douglas Graham)

Assumptions:

  • 80% of calories from carbohydrates (mainly fruit), 10% protein, 10% fat.
  • Everything raw, plant‑based, no processed foods, no supplements.
  • The author claims that:
    • such a diet leads to “true health,”
    • it can improve many chronic diseases, including metabolic ones.

In the context of T2D:

  • In the available excerpts there is no detailed protocol specifically “for diabetes,” rather a general philosophy:
    • maximally natural, unprocessed food,
    • very low fat,
    • lots of movement, sun, sleep, etc.

1.3. Naturopathy / iridology

Source:

  • Chapter “Diabetes Mellitus, Iridology & the Endocrine System” (author not given in the excerpt, a book on iridology and endocrinology)

How they describe T2D:

  • T2D as:
    • the result of long‑term poor diet (sugar, saturated fats, processed food, sugary drinks),
    • dehydration,
    • lack of exercise,
    • sometimes genetic burden and receptor‑level insulin resistance.
  • Strong emphasis on:
    • the body’s “terrain” (acid‑base balance, organ status),
    • environmental toxins.

Therapeutic approach:

  • Diet:
    • whole, unprocessed foods,
    • limiting sugar, white flour, trans fats, alcohol, caffeine.
  • Lifestyle:
    • hydration,
    • exercise,
    • stress reduction.
  • Herbs / supplements:
    • in the available excerpts there is no detailed list specifically “for T2D,” rather general support for the pancreas, liver, cardiovascular system.
  • Iridology:
    • used to assess “predispositions” and organ burden (this is highly alternative, without solid scientific confirmation).

1.4. Cookbooks / anti‑inflammatory / “alkaline”

Examples:

  • “MASTER PLANTS – Margarita Restrepo & Michele Lastella”
  • Various anti‑inflammatory cookbooks, smoothies, matcha muffins, etc.
  • “Dr Sebi Nutritional Guide” (in excerpts)

Common denominator:

  • Lots of:
    • vegetables,
    • fruits,
    • nuts, seeds,
    • anti‑inflammatory spices (turmeric, ginger, cinnamon).
  • Little:
    • sugar,
    • wheat flour,
    • processed food.

In the context of T2D:

  • These are not protocols strictly “for diabetes,” but:
    • they support reduction of inflammation,
    • help with weight control,
    • improve diet quality (which indirectly helps in T2D).

2. What modern conventional medicine says (up to ~2024)

Here is a summary of current guidelines and research (ADA, EASD, large RCTs, reviews).

2.1. Treatment goals in T2D

  • Lowering HbA1c (usually <7%, individualized).
  • Preventing complications:
    • cardiovascular (heart attack, stroke),
    • renal,
    • neuropathy, retinopathy.
  • Increasingly: T2D remission (HbA1c <6.5% without medications for ≥3–12 months) as a realistic goal.

2.2. Medications – main groups

  1. Metformin

    • First‑line drug (if no contraindications).
    • Reduces hepatic glucose production, improves insulin sensitivity.
    • Good efficacy/safety/cost ratio.

  2. GLP‑1 RA (GLP‑1 receptor agonists)

    • e.g. liraglutide, semaglutide, dulaglutide.
    • Effects:
      • lower blood glucose,
      • strongly reduce body weight,
      • reduce cardiovascular risk in high‑risk patients.
    • Semaglutide (e.g. in weight‑loss doses) in studies:
      • large weight loss (10–15%+),
      • improved HbA1c,
      • remission of T2D in some patients.

  3. SGLT2 inhibitors

    • e.g. empagliflozin, dapagliflozin, canagliflozin.
    • Increase urinary glucose excretion.
    • Benefits:
      • lower blood glucose,
      • reduce body weight and blood pressure,
      • strong evidence for heart and kidney protection (lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure, slower decline in kidney function).

  4. Insulin

    • Used when:
      • very high blood glucose / HbA1c,
      • symptoms of hyperglycemia,
      • other drugs ineffective,
      • pregnancy, some acute situations.
    • Increasingly, attempts are made to withdraw insulin in T2D if it is possible to:
      • reduce body weight,
      • improve diet and lifestyle,
      • introduce GLP‑1 / SGLT2.

  5. Other groups (DPP‑4 inhibitors, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones) – used, but currently less “sexy” than GLP‑1 and SGLT2 because they have weaker effects on body weight and cardiovascular outcomes.

2.3. Diet and lifestyle in conventional medicine

Official position (ADA, EASD):

  • There is no single “one true” diet – what matters is:
    • weight loss (if overweight/obese),
    • improved diet quality,
    • individual tailoring (preferences, culture, comorbidities).

Diets with evidence of effectiveness:

  1. Mediterranean diet

    • Lots of vegetables, fruits, olive oil, nuts, fish, whole grains.
    • Studies: improved blood glucose, lipids, reduced cardiovascular risk.

  2. Low‑carb / very low‑carb diets (including keto)

    • Numerous RCTs and meta‑analyses:
      • rapid improvement in blood glucose and HbA1c,
      • weight loss,
      • possibility of reducing/stopping medications.
    • Requires:
      • monitoring of lipids, kidney function, uric acid,
      • good patient education.

  3. Plant‑based diets (vegetarian, vegan, low‑fat plant‑based)

    • Studies (e.g. Barnard, Ornish, others):
      • improved HbA1c,
      • weight loss,
      • improved lipids.
    • Some studies show T2D remission with intensive programs (diet + exercise + psychological support).

  4. Very‑low‑calorie diets (VLCD)

    • e.g. 800 kcal/day for several months (DiRECT and other studies).
    • Results:
      • major weight loss (10–15 kg+),
      • in a substantial proportion of patients T2D remission (especially with short disease duration).

2.4. Intermittent and prolonged fasting – what studies say

  • Increasing number of studies (though still fewer than for classic diets).
  • Results:
    • improved insulin sensitivity,
    • weight loss,
    • lower HbA1c in T2D.
  • Protocols:
    • 16/8, 5:2, alternate‑day fasting, 24–36 h fasts weekly.
  • Conclusions:
    • fasting is a real therapeutic option, but:
      • requires supervision when on medications,
      • is not for everyone (pregnancy, T1D, eating disorders, etc.).

2.5. T2D remission – what is possible today

Studies (e.g. DiRECT, Look AHEAD, bariatric programs, GLP‑1):

  • T2D remission is possible especially when:
    • the disease duration is short (e.g. <6 years),
    • there is major weight loss (≥10–15 kg),
    • the patient follows an intensive program (diet, exercise, support).

Methods that most often lead to remission in studies:

  1. Very‑low‑calorie diets (800 kcal/day)
  2. Bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy, bypass)
  3. Potent weight‑loss drugs (GLP‑1 RA, e.g. semaglutide)
  4. Low‑carb / keto diets + intensive support
  5. Low‑fat plant‑based diets + lifestyle programs (Ornish, Barnard)

3. Where books and research agree, and where they differ

3.1. Agreement

  • Diet and lifestyle are key – agreed by:
    • Fung (fasting + low‑carb),
    • McDougall / Diehl / 80/10/10 (plant‑based, low‑fat),
    • naturopaths,
    • conventional medicine.
  • Weight loss:
    • the greater and more sustained, the higher the chance of remission.
  • Avoiding processed food and sugar:
    • everyone is against sugary drinks, fast food, trans fats, ultra‑processed foods.
  • Exercise, sleep, stress:
    • appear everywhere as a foundation.

3.2. Differences

  1. Macronutrients (carbs vs fat)

    • Fung / low‑carb:
      • few carbohydrates, more fat and protein.
    • McDougall / 80/10/10:
      • lots of carbohydrates (starch, fruit), very little fat.
    • Studies:
      • both strategies can work if:
        • they are well designed,
        • they lead to a calorie deficit and improved diet quality.

  2. Fasting vs constant eating

    • Fung: fasting as the main tool.
    • Classic guidelines: rather regular meals, although intermittent fasting is increasingly accepted.
    • Studies: fasting works, but is not necessary – remission can also be achieved without it (VLCD, bariatric surgery, GLP‑1, plant‑based diets).

  3. Rawness / “naturalness”

    • 80/10/10, some naturopathic books: emphasis on raw, “natural,” no supplements.
    • Medicine: allows cooking, supplements (e.g. B12 on a vegan diet), medications.

  4. Iridology, “terrain,” alkalization

    • Present in naturopathic books, but:
      • no solid scientific evidence,
      • not part of standard treatment.

4. How to practically combine this – scenarios

This is not medical advice, but an illustration of possible “paths” consistent with books and research. Always with your treating physician.

4.1. Goal: T2D remission (maximally ambitious)

Possible strategies (all have scientific data, though at different levels):

  1. Low‑carb / keto + intermittent fasting (Fung‑style)

    • Start:
      • limit carbohydrates (e.g. <50–100 g/day),
      • 2–3 meals a day with no snacking,
      • gradually introduce 16/8 fasting, then 24–36 h.
    • Requires:
      • close cooperation with a doctor (medication adjustment),
      • glucose monitoring.

  2. Low‑fat, whole‑foods, plant‑based (McDougall / Kaiser) + calorie deficit

    • Lots of:
      • vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes.
    • Little:
      • fat (especially oils), animal products.
    • Often 3 meals a day, no calorie counting, but with low energy density.

  3. VLCD (e.g. 800 kcal/day) for several months

    • In practice: ready‑made shakes / soups + vegetables, under doctor/dietitian supervision.
    • Strong evidence for remission (DiRECT).

  4. GLP‑1 RA / SGLT2 + any of the above diets

    • Medications help:
      • lose weight,
      • lower blood glucose,
      • protect heart and kidneys.
    • Diet and exercise still necessary.

4.2. Goal: better glucose control (without aiming for full remission)

  • Moderate dietary change (e.g. Mediterranean or “healthy Polish” diet):
    • less sugar, white flour, sweets,
    • more vegetables, whole grains, fish, nuts.
  • Gentle intermittent fasting (e.g. 12–14 h overnight break, no dinner at 10 p.m.).
  • Exercise:
    • 150–300 min/week of moderate activity,
    • plus strength training 2–3x/week.
  • Medication optimization (metformin + possibly GLP‑1 / SGLT2 as indicated).

5. What are the biggest differences between “books” and research?

  1. Books are often “one‑sided”

    • Fung strongly promotes fasting and low‑carb,
    • McDougall / 80/10/10 – plant‑based low‑fat,
    • naturopaths – iridology, “terrain,” herbs.
    • Studies show: different paths can lead to a similar goal if they:
      • improve diet,
      • reduce body weight,
      • are sustainable long term.

  2. Conventional medicine emphasizes drugs with proven impact on complications

    • GLP‑1, SGLT2 – not only blood sugar, but also heart and kidneys.
    • Alternative books are often distrustful of medications; studies show that for many patients combining drugs and diet gives the best results.

  3. Safety

    • Books on fasting sometimes sound very enthusiastic; studies and guidelines emphasize:
      • risk of hypoglycemia,
      • need for supervision,
      • contraindications.

6. What we can do next in this thread

If you want, in further posts I can:

  1. Break down into separate entries:
    • a detailed “skeleton” protocol:
      • a) low‑carb + fasting (Fung‑style, but with safety in mind),
      • b) plant‑based low‑fat (McDougall / Kaiser),
    • with clear notes on what must be discussed with a doctor.
  2. Make a list of:
    • herbs and supplements with the best evidence for supporting T2D (with studies),
    • with a clear distinction between what is an add‑on and what is foundational.
  3. Help create:
    • a sample 7‑day meal plan in one of the approaches (e.g. low‑carb or plant‑based),
    • tailored to Polish conditions (products from Biedronka/Lidl).

Write whether you’re more interested in expanding:

  • fasting and low‑carb (Fung),
  • or plant‑based low‑fat (McDougall / Kaiser),
  • or if you want to immediately compare two specific, practical plans “side by side.”
5

@HowicuredAI and maybe you could also add what Dr. Greger says in the book “How Not to Die,” because it is mainly about diabetes

6

You’re right, “How Not to Die” by Michael Greger is one of the more important “plant-based” sources on type 2 diabetes, so I’ll add it to the picture – and show where it fits into what you’ve already collected.

1. What Dr. Greger says (“How Not to Die – Michael Greger”)

In the book, type 2 diabetes is not a separate chapter in the title, but it runs through several key sections (heart, obesity, sugar, whole grains, legumes, etc.). Main theses:

1.1. Main cause of T2D according to Greger

  • T2D is primarily:
    • insulin resistance caused by a diet rich in:
      • saturated fats (meat, dairy, fast food),
      • refined carbohydrates (white flour, sugar),
      • excess calories.
  • Key mechanism (consistent with the scientific literature he cites):
    • fat inside muscle and liver cells → disrupts insulin action → blood glucose rises.

This is very similar to what is said by:

  • McDougall / Diehl (Kaiser pamphlet),
  • some of the research on low‑fat plant‑based diets.

1.2. Recommended way of eating

Greger promotes a whole‑food, plant‑based diet (WFPB):

  • Foundation:
    • vegetables (especially green leafy ones),
    • fruit (whole, not juices),
    • whole grains (oats, brown rice, rye, barley, quinoa),
    • legumes (beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas),
    • nuts and seeds (in moderate amounts),
    • spices and herbs (turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, etc.).
  • Limit / avoid:
    • meat (especially red and processed),
    • dairy,
    • eggs,
    • oils (especially refined),
    • sugar, white flour, fast food.

This is practically the same direction as:

  • McDougall / Diehl (low‑fat plant‑based),
  • but Greger is a bit more “evidence‑based” – he backs every claim with studies.

1.3. Specific product groups “for diabetes”

Greger has his famous “Daily Dozen” – a list of food groups worth eating every day. In the context of T2D he particularly emphasizes:

  • Legumes – he shows studies that:
    • regular consumption of beans/lentils improves insulin sensitivity,
    • lowers HbA1c and fasting glucose.
  • Whole grains – as opposed to white flour:
    • improve glycemic control,
    • reduce the risk of developing T2D.
  • Whole fruits:
    • Greger strongly distinguishes fruit from juices:
      • fruit (with fiber) → lower risk of T2D,
      • fruit juices → higher risk.
  • Nuts and seeds:
    • in moderate amounts – improved lipids, satiety, better weight control.
  • Spices:
    • e.g. cinnamon, turmeric – he cites studies suggesting a small improvement in glycemia and inflammatory markers (but treats this as an add‑on, not a main therapy).

1.4. Effects he attributes to a WFPB diet

Based on the studies he cites, Greger claims that a whole‑food plant‑based diet can:

  • Prevent the development of T2D in high‑risk individuals.
  • Improve:
    • HbA1c,
    • fasting glucose,
    • body weight,
    • lipid profile.
  • In some people lead to remission (especially with major weight loss and at an early stage of the disease).

This is consistent with:

  • studies by Barnard, Ornish, plant‑based programs,
  • what I briefly wrote in the section on plant‑based diets.

1.5. Attitude toward medications and conventional medicine

  • Greger is not “anti‑drug”:
    • he acknowledges the role of medications in controlling glycemia and complications,
    • but emphasizes that diet is causal, while drugs mainly “manage” the consequences.
  • In practice:
    • he encourages making maximal use of a WFPB diet,
    • in parallel with treatment managed by a physician,
    • with the possibility of reducing medications if parameters improve.

2. How Greger fits into the approaches already described

2.1. Overlaps

Greger is very close to:

  • McDougall / Diehl / Kaiser:
    • low‑fat, whole‑foods, plant‑based,
    • emphasis on whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits,
    • limiting fat and animal products.
  • Conventional medicine:
    • he uses the same studies (RCTs, cohorts, meta‑analyses),
    • he doesn’t reject drugs, he just wants to make maximal use of diet.

2.2. Differences vs. Fung / low‑carb

  • Fung:
    • low in carbohydrates (especially starches and fruit),
    • more fat and protein,
    • plus fasting.
  • Greger:
    • lots of carbohydrates from whole plants (grains, legumes, fruits),
    • low fat (especially saturated),
    • no emphasis on fasting (though he’s not against it; it’s simply not a main topic of the book).

Common ground despite differences:

  • Both:
    • eliminate sugar, white flour, fast food, trans fats,
    • aim for weight loss,
    • improve diet quality,
    • see T2D as a disease that is reversible in at least some patients.

3. Where I’d place Greger on the “map of approaches”

If you look at the whole “map” from your mega‑answer:

  • Axis 1: amount of carbohydrates

    • Fung / keto: very low carb,
    • classic Mediterranean: moderate,
    • McDougall / Greger / 80/10/10: high carb (but from whole plants).

  • Axis 2: amount of fat

    • Fung / keto: high fat (often 60–70% of kcal),
    • Mediterranean: moderate (mainly olive oil, nuts, fish),
    • McDougall / Greger / 80/10/10: low fat (10–20% of kcal, sometimes less).

Greger stands practically next to McDougall, but:

  • more “encyclopedic” (hundreds of studies),
  • less “dogmatic” in the sense of “only one correct way”, though in practice he still strongly promotes WFPB.

4. Summary for the thread

From the perspective of the “How I Cured” forum:

  • From “books” we now have three main, well‑documented lines:

    1. Fasting + low‑carb / keto – “The Complete Guide to Fasting – Jason Fung & Jimmy Moore”.
    2. Low‑fat, whole‑foods, plant‑based – Kaiser / McDougall / Diehl pamphlet + “How Not to Die – Michael Greger”.
    3. Raw, very low‑fat plant‑based – “The 80/10/10 Diet – Douglas Graham”.

  • All three:

    • move away from the standard “Western” diet,
    • have some backing in research (strongest for WFPB and low‑carb, somewhat weaker for 100% raw),
    • can lead to T2D remission if:
      • they are well planned,
      • they lead to major and lasting weight loss,
      • they are combined with exercise and good medical care.

If you want, in the next post I can:

  • make a short table: Fung vs Greger vs McDougall – macros, typical meals, pros/cons for T2D,
  • or lay out a specific 7‑day Greger‑style plan (WFPB, for diabetes, in Polish conditions).