On November 18, 2021, my life changed when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. My fasting blood glucose was an alarming 329 mg/dL, and my A1C was 12.9%.
Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes was nothing new to my family. It affected relatives on both sides of my family, and I had witnessed firsthand the devastating complications it could cause. With the exception of one uncle, my relatives with type 2 diabetes eventually suffered serious complications and died well before their time.
I was determined not to follow the same path.
Following my diagnosis, my doctor initially had me taking metformin along with three supplements: berberine, chromium, and Ceylon cinnamon.
But I knew I needed to make changes to my lifestyle as well.
I remembered something I had learned in school: carbohydrates and starches are broken down into sugars during digestion. I began putting two and two together. If carbohydrates could significantly affect blood sugar, reducing them seemed like a logical place to start.
That's when I made the decision to adopt a low-carbohydrate and ketogenic way of eating.
My doctor also explained something important about exercise. He told me that exercise allows your muscles to take sugar directly out of your bloodstream without the need for insulin to make that happen. He also explained that something as simple as walking after meals could help lower blood sugar.
I began paying close attention to my blood sugar readings, learning how different foods affected me, and making changes based on what I discovered.
The results were remarkable.
Within just four months, my A1C dropped seven percentage points from its original 12.9%.
As my blood sugar improved, my doctor eventually took me off metformin and all three supplements. My A1C later reached 5.1% without diabetes medication or supplements.
My experience inspired me to become an author and share what I had learned with others facing similar challenges.
Through my books, How I Crushed T2 Diabetes, 30 Days to Better Blood Sugar, and Simply Low Carb, I share my personal experiences, practical information, and low-carbohydrate recipes.
My goal is to help readers better understand how carbohydrates, food choices, physical activity, and everyday habits can affect blood sugar.
I don't claim that everyone will achieve the same results I did. Everyone is different, and decisions about medications and supplements should always be made with a healthcare professional.
What I do believe is that understanding how your body responds to food and making informed lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference.
My journey began with a frightening diagnosis. Today, my hope is that sharing what I've learned will encourage others to take an active role in their health and discover that positive change is possible.
— Alan King