I heavily weigh empirical observations versus what my physician tells me. First of all, I am pre diabetic. Why do I accept that? My father was type II diabetic, and 3 of my 4 siblings are type II diabetic. If I don’t watch my weight, and what I eat, I will be type II diabetic.
When my a1c shot up after drinking sports drinks, (it was 6.6), my physician prescribed metformin. I refused, lost a few pounds, changed my diet, and in 6 months got it down to 6.0.
For a lot of years, I ignored my diet, and gained more than a few pounds. I know my body, and I know I have sugar sensitivity. I had heart palpitations, low stamina, and lethargy. I’ve lost a little over 30lbs, and I rarely eat anything that could be considered sugary, (I used to love to have a dish of ice cream most nights). Now, no palpitations, decent stamina, but I’m still a lazy SOB. :)
If we listen to our body, it will tell us when something is not right. I think of a physician as a guide to point out what may be out of adjustment. I’m talking everyday stuff here, serious illness is a completely different thing.
True genetic predisposition can be a major factor. I’m thin and have never had problems with my weight yet, due to genetic disposition (maternal uncle, great-grandmother and paternal great aunt, all had diabetes) I became an insulin dependent diabetic later in life due to genetics otherwise am in perfect health. Diabetes in and of itself is enough and the potential of all the ancillary destruction it will do to you if unchecked is, for me, a position I want to avoid. Because the damage diabetes can do is cumulative and nonreversable, I have adopted a very regimented dietary routine.