1. But sugar doesn't have anything to do with diabetes and the ADA has been saying that for years.

Sugar certainly does not cause Type 1 diabetes.

While obesity may be linked with diabetes, there is no evidence stating that obesity itself causes diabetes.

FYI: That's one reason I believe your website is doing a HUGE disservice to diabetics around the world and if you as an author were a diabetic you would realize the damage your obesity kick is doing.

How sugar is metabolised by the diabetic is a symthom NOT the cause of the disease.

Posted at 4:19PM on Jun 16th 2005 by Kathleen Weaver

2. Yes, Paul, I saw the article this morning and meant to post about it... But really have nothing to say except that my respect for the ADA has completely gone down the toilet.

- AmyT

Posted at 4:19PM on Jun 16th 2005 by Amy Tenderich

3. I respect the ADA and their work that brings diabetes awareness to the public. I think the problem here is they have played some publicity games with the whole Obesity and type II. They have refused to accept the fact that they do not have all the answers when it comes to the Obesity and the whole type II link. Outside of the “first world” there are lots of thin type II’s that makes me wonder. Are they all LADA? And if they are then the diabetes epidemic is not a weight issue.

With the stand they have taken about obesity being the cause a type II epidemic it looks as if they have sold out. The accepted the money like a politician would hash money leaving them powerless in helping to bring about change or regulations that affect that industry.

As a type I diabetic along with all diabetics we know that sugar does not cause diabetes we also know that one can avoid sugar and still gain weight even become obese. However they chose to make type II an obesity thing and with the no carb, less carb craze sugar an evil twin to obesity.

Just my two cents

Posted at 4:19PM on Jun 16th 2005 by Pearlsa

4. I take it back, Paul. I DID have more to say on this.

Please see my post just now at www.diabetesmine.com.

- AmyT

Posted at 4:19PM on Jun 16th 2005 by Amy Tenderich

5. ADA should not be holding hands with a company that produces products that are unhealthy. Whether they contribute to diabetes or not may be an issue, the company still produces products that should not be a regular part of the diet. What kind of message is the ADA trying to send? Like I said on Amy's entry about this, the ADA is accepting blood money.

Posted at 4:19PM on Jun 16th 2005 by Shannon Lewis

6. This sugar-doesn't-cause-diabetes reaction from the American Diabetes Association's chief medical honcho is one that pains me greatly. More like -- I'm so frustrated by the reaction of some physicians!

I've spent more than three years researching the dangers of sugars and refined carbs for my upcoming book (SUGAR SHOCK!) and I've found oodles of medical studies from such reputable institutions as Harvard that point to the exact opposite...

A diet high in sugary foods and fast-acting "(high-glycemic") carbs (such as white bread, white rice, etc.) could, in fact, lead to diabetes, as well as many other diseases.

So, to clarify, YES, too much sugar COULD lead to diabetes -- this, according to a number of cutting-edge researchers and physicians.

(In fact, I also wrote about this Cadbury donation to the ADA and Kahn's reaction on my SugarShockBlog.)

So glad you posted this!! People need to learn about this!

Connie
www.SugarShock.com
www.SugarShockBlog.com

Posted at 10:19PM on Jul 3rd 2005 by Connie

7. Thought I'd add my two cents here. I am a Type 1 diabetic (adult onset), and the son of a Type 1 diabetic. When I was growing up, all the medical community knew about was sugar. My father followed their advice and avoided sugar like the plague, not knowing, of course, that the advice was wrong. Today, we know that Type 1 diabetics CAN consume sugar in moderation, as part of a healthy diet in which they count carbs and balance their carb intake with their insulin dosage. So, for Type 1 diabetics, sugar is no longer the source of all evil. However, sugar is still a carbohydrate with no nutritive value, and if you're a Type 1 diabetic watching your carbs, you should still be limiting your sugar intake, and getting your carbs from nutritive sources like vegetables and whole grains. So, as far as Type 1 is concerned, the statement: "What is the evidence that sugar itself has anything to do with diabetes? There is no evidence,” is disingenuous and misleading. Sure, sugar doesn't CAUSE Type 1, but it certainly has something to do with it (if it didn't, I'd be living on the stuff, believe me!). As far as Type 2 is concerned, the evidence linking it with obesity continues to mount, and the ADA acknowledges the obesity problem. However, in this interview, Kahn played fast and loose on obesity and sugar, refusing to acknowledge that sugar in general, and sugared soft drinks in particular, contribute to obesity, especially in children. If you read the full interview, you'll see that Kahn falls back repeatedly on the "calories are calories" argument, which flies in the face of nutrition and common sense. We know about the dangers of saturated fats. We know about the dangers of empty carbs. Kahn's slippery comments are as troubling as the fact that the ADA is taking money from candy companies. If this is how the "experts" deal with diabetes and obesity, it's no wonder we have a Type 2 epidemic in this country.

Posted at 12:51PM on Sep 22nd 2005 by Marc Perton