How we’re reversing Type 2 diabetes

FROM THE START

I few years ago, I attended a GP conference andlistened to Dr Glen Davies (awarded GP of the Year) for his work reversing type2 diabetes in his patients through a low carb, healthy fat diet. Dr Davies established Reverse Type 2 DiabetesTaupō (RT2DT) group to promote a lifestyle that includes nutrient-rich wholeunprocessed foods and natural fats, and avoids processed carbohydrates,industrial seed oils and sugar. He had results showing over 120 of his patientshad reversed either pre or type 2 diabetes with this approach and he had over3,000 members in the RT2DT group, inspiring a wholecommunity to take better care of their health.

After hearing what hehad to say and the results and the debate amongst the panel of experts aroundthe effectiveness of his approach, I was compelled to look into it further formy patients.

EVIDENCE BASED

I started looking forevidence based research and found the following information in a COHORT STUDY.LANCET 2017;390:2050-62

•       Three high income countries & 11 middle incomecountries

•       Dietary intake 135,335 individuals

•       5,796 individuals died, 4,784 had major cardiovascularevents

•       Higher carbohydrate intake; higher totalmortality

•       Total fat intake; lower risk of mortality

•       Total protein intake; inversely associated with riskof total mortality/non cardiovascular disease mortality

•       Animal protein; lower risk of total mortality

•       Replacing carbs with fat or protein was not associatedwith cardiovascular disease

OUR PROGRAM

The first line in treatment of diabetes is providing  education and diet advice to our diabeticpatients. We have expanded on this pathway

Empowering patients to make healthy choices  

Stick with it

Nurse Anna Boyce (Registered Nurse) works one day/week as a healthcoach, working with patients with Diabetic patients who are aiming to reversetype 2 diabetes and reduce their medications by having a Low Carb, healthy fat(LCHF) diet.

 Nurse Anna provides coaching, working with patients on lifestylechanges and adjustments to a patient’s food intake with advice, recipes andhelpful resources and on-going support with weight, BP and blood sugar checks.

RESULTS

Since August 2021, our Practice has been enrolling diabeticpatients in this program. We have seen positive results through this approachwith 45% of all patients experiencing improvement in their diabetic controlalong with a reduction in their diabetic medications, some even coming offInsulin. The practice collected data on each patient enrolled in the programmeto monitor a reduction in blood sugar levels but also qualitative dataincluding how patient’s have improved their sleep and their overall health andwellbeing and that of their family. In addition, patients reported weight loss,improved mood, increased energy levels, improved agility, and reduced hunger.  

But the biggest achievement was the individual stories of which Inow have many. I had one patient, Male, 68 years old, Māori and Non-compliantdiabetic with HbA1C of 102. This patient was not engaging with the medicalcentre. I had a long chat with him about diabetes and what it will mean forhim. He refused to take any medication but he did agree to see Anna for dietadvice and made regular appointments to follow up with her. Within four months,he dropped his HbA1C to 41. The patient was thrilled with this result but alsoaware that this required a complete lifestyle change and it wasn’t just a quickfix. The biggest motivation to the patient was his increased energy levels andthat he now had energy to go hunting with this grandson that he couldn’t dothis before. Is spoke to the patient this week and This approach gives patients a clear and definitive structureon their diet. 

I feel that this approach gives patients an alternative to thetraditional pathway of increasing amounts of medication for diabetic patients. Somepatient will do really well but those who don’t stick with it still benefitfrom the education and increased awareness of the effects of carbohydrates ontheir diabetes.

For us as GP’s, it’s a great tool to have in your toolkit for themanagement and treatment of patients with diabetes.

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