I’m sure most have seen this, but thought I would post.
Once I started getting a handle on my diabetes, his book was one of the first I read and it actually gave me some hope.
I don’t follow his plan, but there is a lot in it that that I used to improve my control as well as a good understanding of how diabetes works.
I think it was revolutionary for the time.
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/forest-hills-ny/richard-bernstein-12340343
He revolutionized my life. In 1980 I was a postdoc, and saw his article on home glucose monitoring - I believe it was in the NEJM. I knew that was what I needed to do, and ordered one of the first glucometers (out of pocket at the time, and took up 1/2 of my brief case). It was amazing, and on my own, with support from my PCP, started doing MDI. Things started making sense. And reading his book helped connect the dots.
He revolutionized treatment of diabetes, and empowered us to take control. I don’t think it is hyperbole to say I would not have lived 60 years with T!D if not for him.
Mike
I had never heard of Dr Bernstein prior to his passing. It’s strange coming into a community after such a big change - one that I take for granted as the normal way of doing things - since I was diagnosed only in 2010 - and the first thing I got was a blood glucose test kit. I’m sure it is quite remarkable how different treatment is today from 30 years ago. I wonder if the ADA has a ‘researcher hall of fame’ so that these huge advances are not forgotten.
I read his book and found his personal story to be very inspiring! I don’t follow his plan either as it’s very strict in its carb limits but it’s sure helped many. I do “low carb” compared to the standard American diet, but not compared to Dr. Bernstein’s recommendations.
He was diagnosed at 12, the same age as me, and lived to be 90. After I was diagnosed I figured I had little chance of living until retirement age (65 at the time, now 67) so I decided to aim to retire at 55 (IRC; the lowest permitted age in the UK at the time). In the end I managed to retire in 2002 when I was 41. Less than half the years Richard Bernstein lived.
This is the revolution: The one he has demonstrated with his own life.
He enhanced my life by saving me from progressing further down what I refer to as “the slippery slope”. I had to read his “Diabetes Solution” about 5 times over (incl understanding the different units) to get my head around insulin management with minimal carbs. I took the plunge one day and I haven’t looked back since.
His Diabetes Solution was the catalyst I needed to be healthier now, even with T1D, than what I believe I would’ve been without.
So true. An inspiring life in so many ways.