Bethany Reynolds McKenzie isn’t just a “diabetes mom.” Following a non-traditional, low-carbohydrate approach to her son’s diabetes management has largely normalized his blood glucose levels. Today, she is leading a movement to challenge the establishment with hopes of permanently changing the way that diabetes is managed in the future.

Their Story

Bethany’s son, River, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 5 in 2013.

At first Bethany and her husband, who is a surgeon, proceeded to follow the mainstream medical advice of eating a typical diet and dosing insulin based on the carbohydrate count. However, they did not obtain desirable results. Instead, they discovered that following the advice to eat “normally” and bolus insulin resulted in frequent and unpredictable blood glucose swings.

Bethany, who used to work as a bariatric consultant, has interacted with many individuals with type 2 diabetes. Between her medical background, and the numerous physicians in her family, she understood the risks of chronic hyperglycemia very well. “My husband is an orthopedic surgeon. He manages patients with complications due to their diabetes, and he performs amputations on people who have had chronic high blood sugars.” Bethany explains.

The Turnaround

The turning point for the family came in July of 2016. “My husband and I left River home with a nanny for the first time ever to go see Adele in concert. River had his scariest night of blood sugars ever, and I wasn’t there to protect him. I reached out to the big diabetes groups on Facebook and asked people how they were achieving normal blood sugars. Repeatedly I was told to go buy Dr. Bernstein’s book. So I did, and we’ve NEVER looked back.” Bethany recalls on her website.

“Diabetes Solution” by Dr. R. Bernstein emphasizes that people with diabetes deserve normal blood sugars and that attaining them consistently is critical to prevent diabetes-related complications. The philosophy centers on a low-carbohydrate approach to minimize the effects of the complicated variables associated with accurate insulin dosing. In fact, the McKenzie family became one of many who found immense success with the approach.

Bethany notes that her son has been attaining normal A1C values, that his quality of life has improved greatly, and that River’s endocrinologist is on board with their approach.

Paying it Forward

River’s parents strongly feel that the low carbohydrate management approach should be offered as a feasible and effective method to all newly-diagnosed children and adults.

“We tried the ADA methods for 3.5 years. We faithfully weighed food, counted carbs, pre-bolused insulin, invested in the newest technology, and had a service dog, and the ONLY way we were able to achieve normal blood sugars was by changing River’s diet to low carb and high protein nutrition.”

Bethany was inspired to disseminate her newfound knowledge to others. As such, this mom on a mission founded The Rivere Foundation and the Let Me Be 83 movement. “#LetMeBe83 is a movement from the Rivere Foundation to provide an alternative nutrition plan to aid in the management of Type 1 Diabetes. We fundamentally believe that people with Type 1 Diabetes deserve normal, non-diabetic blood sugars.” the foundation’s website describes.

The name of the movement is rooted in the premise proposed in Dr. Bernstein’s book. Through much analysis, Dr. Bernstein found that normal blood glucose values tend to cluster around the average of 83 mg/dL, hence the name of the movement–Let Me Be 83.

The Mission

Although the organization does not provide medical advice, the mission is to educate people living with diabetes that there is an alternative path to successful diabetes management that is not currently advocated in the mainstream. The approach centers around using a low carbohydrate diet and learning how to optimize the use of different insulins to bolus for carbohydrate and protein.

“I started Let Me Be 83 because, in my heart, I believe that every family should be given a choice at diagnosis as to how they want to manage this disease. They can either follow the ADA guidelines and count carbohydrates and dose insulin, OR they can learn about using low carb nutrition and different insulins to achieve normal blood sugars. Had I been presented with both options when River was first diagnosed, I would’ve chosen right then and there to do a complete overhaul of our diet and manage his diabetes the way we do now. My mission through the foundation is to provide educational materials for newly diagnosed families so that they hear about low carb nutrition right away.” Bethany explains.

Projects and Fundraising

The foundation has already produced and distributed numerous educational materials, and Bethany states that several physicians are interested in using their resources.

In addition to spreading the word about the low-carbohydrate lifestyle as an effective diabetes management strategy, the Rivere foundation also focuses on awareness, advocacy, and research. The foundation is passionate about raising awareness of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, making insulin more affordable for all, as well as on scientific research focused on curing type 1 diabetes.

A portion of the donations collected on the website goes toward supplying a copy of Dr. Bernstein’s “Diabetes Solution” to all newly-diagnosed patients. Also, the funds are used to support research and advocacy efforts. Another goal of the organization is to produce a documentary detailing this management strategy and underscoring the pitfalls of the mainstream approach.

The Rivere Foundation recently held a successful fundraiser called “The Blue Ball: A Benefit for Better Blood Sugars.” The Rivere Foundation is also registered with Amazon Smile, whereby 0.5% of your shopping purchases can go toward supporting the organization.

Looking Forward

“[Being a physician himself, my husband] has lived through changing philosophies in medicine in his own practice, so he knows that there are times when the current medical guidelines get it wrong.” Bethany highlights. “We are SO passionate that this way of eating is healthier for everyone. My husband’s A1c has dropped, my asthma has improved, and our whole family is spunky and full of energy! ONE DAY, this will be the standard of care. I sure hope so.”

You can learn more about the foundation here.

Read more about A1c, diabetes, insulin, low-carb diet, type 1 diabetes.