>Wim Hof's teachings about breath work and the health benefits of cold plunges have attracted millions of followers who swear it has cured everything from depression to diabetes and makes them happier and stronger.
If it cured diabetes, certainly there is a way to scientifically confirm this rather than merely "swearing" it is so.
And if it did, that would be a breakthrough of unthinkable proportions.
So, can we get some evidence rather than hearsay?
No one is "cured" of type II diabetes (exception: gestational diabetes). The best you can hope for is not to have to take meds, but the price you pay is an exercise regimen and an extremely disciplined diet (I haven't eaten rice, bread, pasta, or potatoes in 9 years). I don't take meds.
It's currently available on the NHS in the UK: https://www.england.nhs.uk/diabetes/treatment-care/low-calor...
But this doesn't mean they're cured. For example, they can't binge on chocolate cake or pizza.
Instead, rather than using medicine to control their blood sugar, they use a strict diet & exercise.
I'm a type II diabetic, and when I saw my doctor with a good A1c (5.8), she said, "Another doctor wouldn't be able to tell you were diabetic looking at these numbers. But make no mistake: you can't go back to your old ways of eating, or else it'll all come back. Those days are over."
My metabolism is permanently broken. The symptoms are in remission, but I'm by no means cured.
Does that mean the same as cured?
Edit: The linked article says:
>and even achieve remission (no longer have diabetes)
> a temporary diminution of the severity of disease or pain.
My understanding is that after the treatment, and while in remission, people would need to maintain a healthy lifestyle to avoid relapse. It's still early days for this treatment so I'd guess that they're being cautious with their language.
I read somewhere that N. Vittal, a prominent Indian civil servant, controlled his diabetes by walking a lot, daily.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/N._Vittal
>and an extremely disciplined diet (I haven't eaten rice, bread, pasta, or potatoes in 9 years).
What about other forms of wheat products like semolina, couscous, etc? Other cereal grains?
> What about other forms of wheat products like semolina, couscous, etc? Other cereal grains?
I stay away from them, but I haven't done a rigorous study. I know that, as far as diabetes is concerned, white rice is terrible for you, and brown rice is just as bad.
In general the only carbo-foods I'm comfortable with are legumes (beans) because their carbs take longer to digest.
- 1 pint milk - coffee - 1/4 cup oatmeal
During the day, a big salad consisting of the following:
- kale - romaine lettuce - baby spinach - butter lettuce - arugula - carrots - mushrooms - sweet potato ribbons (uncooked) - shaved parmesan cheese - sunflower seeds - pumpkin seeds - peanuts - salt - pepper - unbelievable amounts of olive oil - avocado
Snacks:
- apples (1 or 2) - blueberries
Once a week I might have eggs & bacon, or a quest bar (low carb), or diet soda (I still have a sweet tooth)
Out of curiosity, how come?
I have a close relative who has kidney disease and was forced to cut all salt from their diet. I cook for them (I don't mind unsalted food myself). I think I understand a thing or two about such a drastic change to one's lifestyle. It's not an easy thing. My relative was mad for everything salty - cheese, cured meats, chips, everything. But they have found the discipline to cut it all off. Unfortunately, cutting salt from one's diet doesn't bring kidney disease into remission. I don't believe anything does :/ Anyway, more power to you and all that.
I'm sure there's _some_ benefit to breathing techniques, but I wouldn't be surprised if they were at about the level of 'general exercise and wellbeing'.
I know a few people who have went to certified Wim Hof training weekends. Doesn't sound like my cup of tea.