Death to Diabetes - The 6 Stages of Type 2 Diabetes Control & Reversal by DeWayne McCulley (ISBN No. 0-9773607-4-1; BookSurge, LLC, North Charleston, South Carolina; Paperback; 400 pages; $24.95). Death to Diabetes is a very comprehensive health-and-wellness book, with 400-pages of detailed information about Type 2 diabetes and how to defeat this chronic disease and its complications. Because there are so many people with diabetes (21 million in the U.S. and 190 million worldwide), the information in this book needs to be communicated to every person in America and beyond. Why? Because every one of us either knows someone who’s diabetic or has someone in their family who’s diabetic.
It is true that diabetics and doctors know that diet and exercise are the keys to managing their diabetes; but, as DeWayne McCulley, the author of Death to Diabetes, points out, “Most diabetics who are trying their best are unknowingly eating the wrong foods that are sabotaging their health; and, they take medications that they think are helping their diabetes, but the drugs aren’t helping.”
Mr. McCulley’s writing style is crisp and straightforward. The amount of information he has amassed is astounding, and clearly supported by documented clinical studies.
Western Medicine may believe that his book may give diabetics unrealistic expectations. However, his emphasis on the importance of working carefully with a medical team and his discussion of managing diabetes for life are not reckless but empowering. Those suffering from diabetes will find an inspiring story from someone who has been where they are and has defeated this disease.
Somehow, Mr. McCulley maintains a balance between his two primary target audiences – the diabetic and the healthcare professional. Mr. McCulley provides in-depth clinical details about the etiology and pathogenesis of Type 2 diabetes to satisfy the medical professional; but, he breaks down the medical terminology so that a person not familiar with these medical terms can still understand what he is saying.
More so than any other book written about diabetes, Death to Diabetes very clearly defines the specific foods (Mr. McCulley calls them “dead” foods) that either fuel the diabetes or keep diabetics in a diabetic state. Death to Diabetes does something that other diabetes books don’t do – it takes some risk and identifies some of the so-called healthy foods that don’t help diabetics. For example, most of us would never have thought wheat bread would be a problem for diabetics; but, as the author points out, many types of wheat bread now contain high fructose corn syrup and partially hydrogenated oil.
Death to Diabetes provides great tips for eating out at a restaurant and even eating at a fast food place, so it’s not required that a diabetic eat perfectly at every meal. The book also provides food tips about shopping and preparing meals. In fact, Mr. McCulley defines “counter” meals to counteract when a diabetic eats out or eats too much processed food at a wedding or party. This takes the pressure off a diabetic to be perfect and prevents the diabetic from being overly-anxious about eating properly every day.
Death to Diabetes provides many specific tips and ideas to help with emotions, stress, sleep, relaxation, and support systems. Death to Diabetes provides an entire chapter about the importance of emotional and spiritual health. Although the author is an engineer, he believes that the emotional and spiritual support from his mother (Minnie), his daughter (Cynthia), his brother (Greg), and his sister (Margo) were keys to defeating his diabetes. In addition to the quotes from his mother and his father, Mr. McCulley provides a list of inspirational quotes from famous people such as Oprah Winfrey, Bill Cosby, Morgan Freeman, Muhammad Ali, Billy Graham, and Colin Powell.
Death to Diabetes provides a list of more than 200 clinical studies and medical references that substantiate the use of specific nutrients and supplements to improve and reverse the effects of diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, inflammation, and other related ailments.
I should mention that the author of this book (DeWayne McCulley) almost died of a diabetic coma. His near-death experience with a very high blood glucose level is so unbelievable, that he placed a copy of his doctor’s medical report and personal notes about his diabetes on his website at www.deathtodiabetes.com. But, with the help of his mother and his daughter, he used his engineering and biochemistry background to beat his diabetes and write this comprehensive book. With his daughter’s help, he set up the website with the same name as his book; and, he has developed a training program that he provides to corporations, organizations, and healthcare groups. He is now working with a health-services company (Parwel, Inc.) to help people struggling with diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Mr. McCulley has done all of us a great service – I just hope that his story ends up on Oprah or someplace where lots of people can learn about his book and how to get healthy. Maybe, hopefully, a nationally-syndicated health talk radio show will pick him up as a regularly-scheduled guest.
This book, Death to Diabetes, is definitely worth the investment with its well-thought-out design and comprehensive information. And, although this book was written for diabetics, the health information will benefit anyone trying to lose weight, lower their blood pressure or cholesterol, or just trying to get healthier. Besides buying the book for yourself, this book would make a wonderful gift for someone’s birthday, holiday, Christmas, or other event -- because whoever receives this book will be forever grateful to you.
Diane A. Sears is the Managing Editor of In Search Of Fatherhood®, at BSI International, Inc. She notes that the author may be contacted at 1-800-813-1927 or 1-585-671-0577, or by e-mail at DeWayne@DeathToDiabetes.com
